NTC Edge #3

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"The Edge" features creative perspectives and reflections associated with the subject matter presented on the Current Lesson page.

 

Study Series: NTC
The New Testament Church

Edge #3: January 30, 2001


Bible Backdrop

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.  Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.  And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.  They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?  "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." (Acts 2:1-11 NASB)

Inspector Edge

To be filled.  To be entirely engrossed and completely consumed.  Contents impressing upon the inner being  and every part within.  The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit - their inner being entirely engrossed and completely consumed with the Holy Spirit leaving their hearts burning with intensity for their Lord.  

A great sound as if a rushing mighty wind filled the place so that even the apostles'  audible senses were captivated, filled with His presence!  With their very own eyes they witnessed His glorious appearance as divided tongues, as of fire, appeared to all.  With their mouths they then spoke of the wonders of God.  And within every part of their innermost being they were filled with the living Jesus, the Christ.  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."  (Galatians 2:20 NASB)  When we are filled with Him and nothing else, He pervades not only our senses but permeates our very being.  Our God is said to be a consuming fire!  Flames of glory, power, strength, jealousy, and justice are ignited throughout His character (see Exodus 24:17, Deuteronomy 4:24, 9:3, Isaiah 30:27-30, and Hebrews 12:29).  Emptying ourselves of ourselves opens the floodgates for God to consume us - and to really live in us.  How easy it is to become consumed with ourselves!  It is when we begin to be filled with anything but Him that our eyes wander, our ears roam, and our tongue becomes a weapon.  

To see God, we must look for Him.  

To hear God, we must listen.  

To speak of the mighty deeds of God, we must know Him.  

To be filled with God, we must yield to the fire.

 

 

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Notes

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.