WIND AND FIRE ON PENTECOST

When the fire fell down on the disciples at Pentecost...it wasn't judgment, nor an example of what the eternal fire will be for those that don't give their hearts to God. "Fire" in the Word of God is a symbol of God's Presence and working power:
          In the Bible... "Fire" is sometimes mentioned as an:

1. Eternal Fire...
   Isaiah 33:14; 66:24; Matthew 3:12; 13:42; 18:8; 25:41;
   Revelation 14:10; 20:10; 20:15; 21:8.
2. Instrument of Divine Intervention...
   Genesis 19:24; Leviticus 10:2; Numbers 11:1; 16:35; 2 Kings 1:10;
   2 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Peter 3:10.
3. A Purifier...
   Numbers 31:23; Ezekiel 22:20; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2;
   1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:7.
4. A Symbol of the Divine Presence and Power...
   Deuteronomy 4:36; 1 Kings 19:12; Psalm 50:3; 97:3; Isaiah 66:15;
   Acts 2:3; 7:30; Hebrews 12:29.

Also...There were "Signs/Miracles by Fire" in the Word of God:
          Leviticus 9:24; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1.

When the fire fell down on the disciples at Pentecost...it wasn't judgment, nor an example of what the eternal fire will be for those that don't give their hearts to God. It fell down showing God's Divine Presence and Power was amongst them and they were enlightened by the moment of purification of hearts and revelation from God's throne room...


Symbols of the Holy Spirit...

• Fire - All dross and impurity is burned up by His purging presence and the soul is set afire with a burning passion and zeal for God and His service. (Luke 3:16,17) "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable."
• Wind - Greek word "Pneuma" which, as referring to the Holy Spirit, is translated Spirit...is the ordinary Greek word for "wind", "air" or "breath." God breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living soul. Christ breathed upon His disciples and said "...receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). The Holy Spirit was His very breath. The Holy Spirit is everywhere present, just as the very air we breathe. He is our very life.
• Water - "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive...)" John 7:37-39....Isaiah 44:3; Hosea 6:3...The Holy Spirit as water refers to the refreshing presence of God. Just as water is absolutely essential to physical life, so is the Holy Spirit essential to all spiritual life. Water washes and cleanses, so does the Holy Spirit. Water refreshes, so does the Spirit.
• Seal - Ephesians 1:13 and 2 Timothy 2:19, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
  A seal denotes:
  
  1. Ownership...The impress of a seal implies a relationship to the owner of the seal. It is a sure token of something belonging to him. Believers are God's property, known to be so by the seal of the Spirit.
  2. Genuineness and Authority...Official documents are validated by the with that seal is an implied attack on the government which applied it. So he who attacks the sealed child of God, attacks the authority of the heavenly government which endorses us as genuine.
  3. Security or Preservation...A housewife seals her canned fruits and vegetables so that outside air may not reach them. They then remain preserved as long as the seal is not broken. Our lives are sealed by the Spirit to help keep the evil influences of this contaminated world.
• Other Symbols...Oil and the Dove

• Three (3) Jewish Festivals...Where every Jewish male living within 20 miles of Jerusalem was legally bound to come...the Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles.
• Pentecost...means fiftieth...50 days after Passover.
• Pentecost fell at the time when traveling conditions were at their best (Early June).
• As many Jews from around the country came to Pentecost as the Passover... explaining the roll of countries mentioned in the chapter. An international crowd was more prevalent in Jerusalem celebrating Pentecost than at any other time of the year.
• Jewish Law...Jewish Holiday. The law laid it down that no servile work should be done on the day of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:21)...therefore, the crowds were the heaviest in the streets of Jerusalem that day.
• To speak in many foreign languages was unnecessary...Crowd made up of Jews (v.5) and proselytes (v. 10)....Proselytes were Gentiles who accepted the Jewish religion and the Jewish way of life...Only 2 languages were really necessary. Almost all Jews spoke Aramaic...and even if they were Jews of the Dispersion from a foreign land, they would all have known the language that almost everyone spoke at that time...Greek.

• Unintelligible sounds coming from the disciples that was directly inspired by the Spirit of God
• For the first time in their lives, this motley mob in Jerusalem near the upper room was hearing the word of God that struck straight home to their hearts.
• The power of the Spirit was such that it had given these simple disciples a message that could reach every heart.
• The power of the Holy Spirit was being transferred from heaven's throne room to the hearts of those who believed and opened their minds, wills and emotions to God's authority.

The Church, the Christ, and the Cross was Combined to Communicate that the message of Jesus still lives...
"For out of our inner most being flows rivers of living water."
It was evident then and it is evident today!

When did the power of God stop? When did God say, "Enough...no more power like I did at Pentecost!"
Answer: God has not stopped giving power to His church (the people who make up the church). Nowhere in the Bible did God say, "My power has been shown and that is enough for now and the future."

Want the power of God?...Repent of any sin or hindrance to receiving the power of God. Then ask for it...and He will give it as the Spirit desires!
That is Biblical...not just a fellow believer talking!