Sitting in God’s Rest: The Spirit’s Preparation for Bold Faith
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Peter’s insight reflects a growing awareness that all Scripture is God-breathed, as seen in his application of David’s Psalms to Judas’ betrayal. Peter and the apostles, before receiving the fullness of the Spirit on Pentecost, had arrived at this realization, and sought God's help in discerning their way. And this shouldn't be a surprise because we recall that Jesus had already anointed them with the Spirit (e.g., John 20:22). Jesus had breathed on them, and they received a measure of discernment by the Holy Spirit on that day. And so, it was in this power of the Holy Spirit that they sought God's help. We see this in Peter's understanding about Judas Iscariot and his quoting from the psalms about prophecies concerning Judas.
Acts 1:16-17
"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."
This preparatory work of the Spirit sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy at Pentecost, when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, marked by the sound of a mighty wind, tongues of fire, and the ability to speak in other tongues. And so now, here we are at Pentecost, and the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. This outpouring empowered them to boldly proclaim the Gospel, fulfilling their role as witnesses to all nations.
Pentecost represents the culmination of Jesus’ promise, a moment when the Spirit’s presence became not just a measure but a fullness, equipping the apostles for the mission ahead. The continuity between the Spirit’s work before and during Pentecost underscores God’s faithfulness to prepare and empower all His people. The apostles’ journey from partial anointing to the fullness of the Spirit at Pentecost invites us to consider how God prepares us for His purposes. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s guidance in smaller moments that lead to greater empowerment?
What do we know so far?
We know the Holy Spirit’s involvement in discernment through Scripture is central to the apostles’ experience and to our Christian life. The Spirit spoke through human authors like David, ensuring Scripture’s divine authority (2 Peter 1:21). We saw this with Peter’s recognition in Acts 1:16-17 that the Psalms (Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8) were "spoken by the Holy Spirit through David" which shows that the Spirit inspired the Scriptures and illuminates their meaning. We know the Spirit enables believers to understand and apply Scripture. In Acts 1, the Spirit, given in a measure by Jesus in John 20:22, helped Peter see the Psalms’ relevance to Judas’ betrayal and the need to replace him. And we know the apostles’ prayerful discernment in choosing Matthias (Acts 1:24-26) reflects the Spirit’s direction in applying Scriptural truth to practical decisions.
At Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the Spirit’s outpouring amplified this discernment, empowering the apostles to proclaim Scripture’s fulfillment in Christ with boldness. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-36, quoting Joel 2 and Psalms 16 and 110, demonstrates how the Spirit enabled him to connect Old Testament prophecies to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Spirit, then, is the divine interpreter who makes Scripture a living word for discernment and mission.
Acts 2:4 states that the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, "began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." The content of their speech, described as "the mighty works of God," likely focused on God’s acts in history, particularly the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as these were central to the apostles’ Gospel message. The tongues, therefore, were Spirit-inspired declarations of God’s redemptive work, possibly echoing Scriptural truths in a way that prepared the crowd for Peter’s preaching.
The detail in Acts 2:2 that the apostles were "sitting" when the Spirit came is intriguing and carries spiritual significance. Sitting can signify resting in God's sovereign spirit or dependence, contrasting with standing and working. The apostles weren’t striving but were in a posture of reliance on God’s initiative in obedience to Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). The Spirit’s sudden arrival, with wind and fire, underscores that this was God’s work, not a matter of human effort or contrivance. This was independent of human effort or emotional fervor. They weren't standing and swaying in the music, and weren't struck down to the floor slain in the throes of the Spirit. The apostles weren’t attempting to conjure the Spirit through ritual or effort, unlike practices in some contemporary settings where music or emotional intensity might be used to evoke spiritual experiences. Modern charismatic expressions, while meaningful in some contexts, are not depicted here. The focus remains on God’s action, not human performance.
The Holy Spirit’s outpouring was not earned but given freely to those who trusted and waited. The absence of striving or emotional manipulation in the text invites us to prioritize authentic dependence on God over manufactured spiritual experiences, which by the way isn't limited to charismatic churches. All "performance" focused "church" services are the works of men. Here's a good rule of thumb, if someone had to manufacture and publish a bulletin, if the music team had to practice the order of service, and the prayers are rote, it's the work of men, not the Spirit. This challenges us to cultivate a heart of restful dependence on God's prompting, especially in seasons of waiting for discernment.
How can you seek the Spirit’s guidance in quiet, faithful obedience?
From Waiting to Witnessing:
The apostles’ transition from sitting to proclaiming mirrors our call to move from waiting to action when the Spirit empowers us. This stillness isn't passive inertia but an active choice to trust God’s timing and promise. Just as Peter grew in understanding Scripture’s inspiration (Acts 1:16-17), stillness allows the Holy Spirit to sharpen your ability to hear God’s voice through His Word or prayer. Waiting tests and strengthens faith, preparing you to act boldly when God calls, as the apostles did when they proclaimed the Gospel post-Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41). The apostles’ communal waiting (Acts 2:1) suggests God may be preparing you alongside others in a team effort, perhaps in a church or small group setting, for a collective step of faith.
Are there areas of your life; relationships, career, ministry, or personal growth, where God has called you to wait?
Recognize these as sacred spaces where God is at work, even if the outcome isn’t yet visible. Perhaps you’re gaining insight into a past struggle or sensing a call to a new area of obedience. What might God be preparing you for?
It could be sharing your faith with someone, stepping into a leadership role, forgiving someone who hurt you, or pursuing a God-given dream. Stillness often precedes action that requires courage and faith.
If waiting feels frustrating, ask God to help you embrace it as preparation, trusting that He’s equipping you for the right moment. Like the apostles, devote your time to prayer and God’s Word. Meditate on passages like,
Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God”
or
Isaiah 40:31
"Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength"
Let the Spirit guide your discernment, as He did for Peter. Write down what you sense God is teaching you in this season. Share your season of stillness with trusted friends or a faith community. And finally, surrender any anxiety about timing to God, trusting that He will move when you’re ready.
Prayer:
Lord,
Send your Spirit to help me embrace this season of stillness as Your preparation. Teach me to trust Your timing and to rely on Your Spirit. Help me to understand my role in your kingdom. Show me the bold step of faith You’re preparing me for and fill me with courage to act when You call. In the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Begin today by meditating on Hebrews 4:11
"Let us therefore strive (a daily trust in God’s provision and guidance) to enter that rest (ceasing from self-reliant works and trusting in God’s finished work), so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience (the unbelief and idolatrous rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness)."
Think about consistency.
Think about the tapestry of what you truly believe and have faith in.
Think about how you've been discerning from scripture.
Think about your judgments and how that has molded your beliefs.
Think about how the Spirit can open up your grip on the truth and renew and strengthen your mind.
Think about where Satan has weaved lies into your thoughts.
Think about the world of chaos and confusion that we all face on a daily basis.
And now think about everything God has been saying to you about these things.
Now, rest.
And know that God has given you discernment.
Example:
Remember the Pharisees and the Sadducees questioned Jesus and demanded signs from him. These people couldn't agree on anything regarding spiritual matters, but they came together on one thing, their hatred for Jesus. And they tested him and demanded signs from him.
What did Jesus say about that?
Matthew 16:2-4
He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So, he left them and departed.
Jesus criticized their failure to discern the "signs of the times", the spiritual significance of His presence, his resurrection power, and the works of the Holy Spirit. He rebuked their demand as a lack of faith.
Test everything you know and hear, and rest in The Spirit to determine what is true. The apostles waited in faith for the Spirit, not demanding proof, and they were empowered accordingly.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul urges believers to "test everything; hold fast what is good". The apostles exemplified this in Acts 1:4-5, waiting obediently for the Holy Spirit as Jesus commanded, rather than demanding signs.
Extra Credit:
Meditate on John 16:13