Toward Pentecost: One

While Apollos was in Corinth,

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples.

He said to them,

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”

They answered him,

“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

He said, “How were you baptized?”

They replied, “With the baptism of John.”

Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,

and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.. 

Altogether there were about twelve men. Acts 19:1-8 (Monday 7th Wk. Easter)

Relections:

We generally think of Pentecost as that day the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' disciples gathered in the upper room. But Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles, tells us that, this same outpouring of the Spirit of Pentecost, was experienced by many throughout this whole apostolic  period, as the Spirit worked to bring to life Christ' Church. We might actually sight five Pentecost experiences described by Luke.

1. The day of Pentecost with the disciples in the upper room. (Acts 2:1)
2. The baptism of the Ethiopian and the Spirit coming upon the Samaritans. (Acts 8:1)
3. The conversion of St Paul. (Acts 9:1)
4. The Gentile Pentecost and the baptism of Cornelius and family. (Acts 10:1)
5. The baptism of the disciples of John the Baptist. (Acts 19:1)

In each of these accounts, we see the effects of the Holy Spirit at work in these people. These effects are evident and clearly perceptible, to those being baptized in the Spirit, as well as those who are witnessing this extraordinary gift.

On Pentecost day: 

• Those being filled with the Holy Spirit broke out in joyful praise of God, seen and heard by everyone around them. So uninhibited and expressive was their praising, that some thought they had been drinking.  
• They experienced the charism on speaking discernible languages they had not learned, so that other could understand them.
• They showed no fear of reprisal where earlier they had been in hiding. 

The Baptism of the Ethiopian Official and the Spirit Coming Upon the Samaritans:

• The charism of the True Christian Faith comes through the Spirit filled preaching of Philip, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
• The Samaritans had been baptized in the name of Jesus, but were yet to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The Conversion of St. Paul:

• Paul sees the apparition of the glorious, risen Christ.
• He hears the Lords voice speaking to him. His companions also heard his voice.
• The physical effect of temporary blindness was experienced by Paul.
• The zealot Paul became humble and docile to the direction of the Spirit.
• Paul is given his true vocation by the Spirit.
• Visions are seen by Paul and Ananias.
• The True Christian Faith is born in Paul.  

The Conversion of Cornelius and the Gentiles.

• Peter is taught of the plan of universal salvation through visions.
• Visions prepare Cornelius for Peter's coming.
• Everyone in the household is filled with the gift of the Spirit.
• The charism of Praise and Tongues was manifested.
• The gift of True Christian Faith was given to all.

The Baptism of John the Baptist Disciples:

• They had been baptized in John's baptism.
• At Paul preaching they were baptized in the name of Jesus.
• When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

In earlier postings, I include a series on the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" 
(go to - SPECIAL SERIES SECTION - side column) I recommend these for your review and prayer at this time. 

See also Novena to the Holy Spirit (click)

PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF RENEWAL: 

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.