Understanding the Holy Spirit’s Role
Samuel and Jolley discussed the theological perspectives on the Holy Spirit, particularly focusing on its role before and after Pentecost. Samuel explained the traditional view of the Holy Spirit being sent by the Father and the Son after Jesus’s Ascension, emphasising its role in empowering the church for prophecy, charismatic experiences, and mission. However, Samuel shared his personal view that the Holy Spirit has been at work since creation, seeing Jesus as the “brand guidelines” for understanding God’s action in the world. He emphasised the importance of studying Jesus’s life to recognise the Holy Spirit’s work today, suggesting that the primary relationship is not with the Holy Spirit but with Jesus, who the Spirit brings into focus.
Pentecost Preaching Approaches Discussed
Samuel and Jolley discussed different approaches to preaching about Pentecost, highlighting three options: an exegetical sermon on Acts 2, a theological landscape focusing on the Holy Spirit’s work, or a creative analogy. Samuel shared an example of a sermon he had preached that used the analogy of learning to read, drawing parallels to how the Holy Spirit enables people to access a broader understanding of the world.
Pentecost: God’s Initiative in Diversity
Samuel and Jolley discussed the Pentecost passage from Acts, emphasising its significance as a foundational moment for the early Church and a New Testament version of the giving of the law. Samuel highlighted the passage’s connection to Genesis 11 and Exodus 20, explaining how it reflects a shift from human efforts to communicate with God to God’s initiative in sending the Holy Spirit.They also touched on the diversity represented by the different languages spoken at Pentecost and the prophecy associated with the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. Samuel advised against making geopolitical statements based on the Pentecost story and suggested that the passage could be relevant to the current challenges faced by the Church of England in maintaining unity amidst diversity.
Theology of Suffering and Adoption
Samuel discussed the theological concepts of suffering, adoption, and slavery in relation to being glorified with Christ. He emphasized that suffering is not a “get out of jail card” for blessings but a path to glory, distinguishing between voluntary suffering for Christ and other types of suffering.
Samuel also explored the metaphor of adoption as a significant theme in Paul’s writings, highlighting its implications for inclusion and the work of the Spirit. He advised preachers to carefully consider the context and personal experiences of their congregations when addressing these themes.
Greater Works Through the Spirit
Samuel discussed the significance of John 14:12, which states that believers will do greater works than Jesus, and explained how this verse was interpreted in a previous community. He emphasised that this passage suggests building upon Christ’s work rather than merely imitating it. Samuel also highlighted the importance of John 14:26, where the Holy Spirit is described as a Paraclete, or advocate, who stands beside believers, offering comfort and support.
Resources
“I Was There That Day” : A Pentecost Story
(Inspired by Acts 2:1–21)
I didn’t expect anything unusual that morning.
Jerusalem was busy, as it always is during the festival. People from every corner of the world had gathered.You could hear all the different languages in the streets — it sounded like music, or sometimes chaos.
I’d just bought some bread and was heading back when I heard it. A sound like wind, not a breeze, but a rushing, roaring wind.
The kind that makes you stop and look around, even when there’s no storm in sight.
People were gathering near one of the houses. I followed the noise, curious, and that’s when I saw them: a group of men and women, standing in the doorway, eyes wide, voices raised.
But here’s the strange part: they were speaking all sorts of languages. Not mumbling or shouting nonsense. I mean real, clear words.
And somehow, I heard my own language, my birth language, coming from the mouth of someone who definitely wasn’t from where I’m from.
Others around me nodded, wide-eyed. “Did you hear that?” they whispered. “That’s our language!”
There were Parthians next to Medes, folks from Egypt beside those from Rome. And everyone was saying the same thing:
“They’re talking about the power of God… and we can all understand it!”
Some people laughed.“They’ve clearly had too much wine,” one man snorted. But it wasn’t even breakfast time!
That’s when one of them, Peter, I think they called him, stepped forward. He looked like someone who had found his voice for the first time.
“Listen,” he said, loud and clear. “We’re not drunk.This is what the prophet Joel spoke about ….a time when God’s Spirit would be poured out on everyone.”
He spoke about young people seeing visions, old people dreaming dreams, and even those usually forgotten being filled with God’s words.
He said the world would change.That God wasn’t far away or hidden, but right here, doing something new.
And that everyone , everyone , who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. I stood there, not sure what to say.
But deep down, I knew something had shifted. The wind had stirred more than just the air.
Something had begun.
Background Notes Where are we in the story?
Acts 2:1–21 :
Acts 2 follows Jesus’ Ascension (Acts 1:9–11) and the disciples’ return to Jerusalem to wait and pray. Jesus had promised the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and now, ten days later on Pentecost, the promise is fulfilled.
What is Pentecost?
- Originally a Jewish harvest festival called Shavuot (Festival of Weeks), celebrated 50 days after Passover.
- It also commemorates the giving of the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai — God’s covenant with Israel.
- In Acts, Pentecost becomes the moment when God gives the Holy Spirit, marking the new covenant and the birth of the Church.
What happens in Acts 2:1–4?
- The disciples are “all together in one place.” This echoes the Upper Room where they waited after the Ascension (Acts 1:13).
- A “sound like the rush of a violent wind” fills the house — recalling the Spirit (in Hebrew ruach, meaning breath or wind).
- Tongues of fire rest on each of them — fire is often a symbol of divine presence (Exodus 3:2, the burning bush).
- They begin to speak in other languages — not incoherent babbling, but recognisable human languages (glōssais).
This is both a reversal of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11: confusion and division through language) and a sign of the Church’s universal mission: to communicate God’s love across all cultures and tongues.
Who is there?
(vv.5–11)
- A list of people from across the known world : 15 different regions are named, from Parthians to Romans, Egyptians to Arabs.
- Many were likely diaspora Jews in Jerusalem for the festival.
- Each hears the gospel in their own language : a powerful sign that God’s message is not tied to one people, place, or culture.
What is Peter’s message?
(vv.14–21)
- Peter explains: “They are not drunk!” : it’s only 9 a.m.!
- He interprets the event through the lens of Joel 2:28–32, where God promises to pour out the Spirit on all flesh : young, old, men, women, slave, free.
- The signs in the heavens and on earth point to a great divine intervention : a new age has begun.
- This ends with an open invitation: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Theological Themes
- God’s Initiative
Pentecost is not human achievement: it’s God’s gift. It begins with waiting, not striving. - The Spirit and Jesus
The Holy Spirit doesn’t replace Jesus, but points back to him and empowers the Church to live his way. - Unity in Diversity
The Spirit doesn’t erase difference but speaks through it. Pentecost celebrates diversity, not uniformity. - Prophetic Empowerment
The Spirit is not just for comfort but for witness and action. All are now prophets — men, women, young, old.
- Genesis 11: Babel : scattering and confusion vs. Pentecost — gathering and understanding.
- Exodus 19–20: Giving of the Law at Sinai vs. Giving of the Spirit at Pentecost.
- Joel 2: Fulfilled prophecy : signs and speech marking God’s new era.
- John 14–16: Jesus promises the Holy Spirit : the Advocate, who teaches and reminds.
Questions for Reflection or Group Use
- How does the Pentecost story challenge our ideas of who “belongs” in the Church?
- When have you experienced the Spirit helping you understand something m or someone?
- What might it look like for your church to speak the gospel in “many languages” : culturally, generationally, practically?
- Are we open to being surprised by the Spirit’s work beyond our usual expectations?
