THE
DAY OF PENTECOST
Acts
2:1-18, 6/4/2017
Introduction:
In one
community -- the Village atheist was not a bad man. He just didn’t believe. He
wasn’t interested in church…and there was only one in the area. And this church
was, -- well, mostly a social club. Heartlessly and spiritually dead—no
conversions or decisions for Christ had been made for some time. One day the
church building literally caught on fire, and everyone, the whole town ran
toward the church to help extinguish the flames…including the village atheist!
Someone noticed the village atheist and hollered out: “Hey, this is something,
this is the first time we’ve ever seen you running to church!” The atheist
replied, “This is the first time I’ve ever seen the church on fire!”
Over
two thousand years ago for the first time in the History of Christianity,
suddenly there came from heaven a violent rushing wind, it filled the whole
house and there appeared to be tongues of fire on the people who were in that
place. A great crowd gathered wondering what had happened. What happened that
day changed the entire course of human history. Let’s look at the events that unfolded
on that day, also known as “THE DAY OF
PENTECOST”
Let
me give some historical context to this Holiday that is celebrated both by Jews
and Christians alike. At Shavuot (Pentecost), the Jews celebrate receiving the
Torah at Mount Sinai, which was literally the beginning of Judaism. For
Christians, Pentecost, which we celebrate was literally the beginning of the
church, when the Holy Spirit was poured out and 3,000 were saved as Peter preached
about the risen Christ.”[1] Let me also share the biblical
background to this important significant festival of Christians. The prophet
Joel, in 9th century BC prophesied about it, the Lord Jesus had
promised of it, and the disciple have witnessed it.
I. PROPHECY FULFILLED
The
Jewish religious calendar centered around a number of annual feasts. However,
the three most important were those in which all males were required to appear
before the Lord. Deut 16:16, “Three times in a year all your males shall appear
before the LORD your God in the place which he chooses, at the feast of the
unleavened bread or Passover, the feast of the booths and the feast of weeks.
Pentecost was known as the “Feast of Weeks.” In Judaism, Pentecost was
traditionally seen as the day Moses received the law.
The
Day of Pentecost, the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week (Lev
23:15–16), thus the first day of the week. The Festival of Harvest (Ex 23:16)
and the day of first fruits (Nu 28:26). In 900 BC, the prophet Joel predicted
another kind of festival of harvest. This time it was going to be the harvest
of souls. There was going to be an ingathering of people who will believe in
Yeshua the messiah and be formed into a fellowship of believers. Joel
Prophesied. “And
afterward, I will pour out my Spirit
on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and
women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:28-29
Let
me explain this passage. Afterward: means the Messianic
period, beyond the restoration of Israel from their exile. I will pour out my spirit:
Not only the prophet Joel but also other
prophets such as Isa 32:15; 44:3; Eze 39:29 and Zec 12:10–13:1, too have
prophesied that there was coming a time where God would pour out His Spirit on
the off spring of Israel, but Joel went one step further and said, “All
People.” All will participate in this outpouring without regard to
gender, age or rank.
When
that happens Moses’ wish in Numbers 11:29, “I
wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his
Spirit on them,” will be fulfilled.
II.
POWER RELEASED (Acts 1:8)
After
the resurrection, Jesus stayed with the disciples for a period of over forty
days. He spoke with his disciples about the Kingdom of God. On one occasion
while Jesus was eating with them, keeping in line with the ancient prophecies,
he gave them this
command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you
will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:5. According to this
scripture, waiting to receive the gift that our heavenly father promised was
not a suggestion but was a command.
Moreover, it was Jesus who was going to baptize the disciples with the
Holy Spirit. Why would the disciples need another baptism in the Spirit, in
addition to the water baptism? He explained it in Acts 1:8, “But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.”
We must pay attention
to Jesus’ command here, he was shifting the focus of the disciples from
themselves, and the city of Jerusalem which they loved to the rest of the
world. How in the world would this bunch of fearful, and coward disciples fulfill
the great commission? In order for the disciples to carry out the mission of
Jesus they needed the power of the Holy Spirit.
As the
disciples were told, they kept gathering in the temple courts, with
anticipation and expectation for Jesus to pour down the Holy Spirit as he had
promised. On
the day of Pentecost; fifty days after the resurrection and the ascension of
Jesus Christ; the city of Jerusalem was all geared up to receive Jews from all
over the then living world. They were
gathered to celebrate the beginning of the harvest or “the day of the first
fruits” (Numbers 28:26). On that day, something spectacular happened. A group of
120 disciples including Mary the mother of Jesus who had been meeting in the
upper house seeking and praying for the promised gift of Jesus.
The
scripture says; “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 (ethnic
languages) as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4). Many who
gathered around were amazed to hear these Galilean disciples speaking in
languages that were not their mother tongue and said to one another what does
this mean? While others were mocking and saying, “They are full of new wine.”
Why
did Jesus decide to send the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost? As we know on
the day of Pentecost Jews from all over the world will gather in Jerusalem to
celebrate. It is interesting to know that they were at least eighteen ethnic
groups were represented in that crowd. All these people heard the mystery of
the gospel by the disciples who spoke only Galileans. God used this opportune
time to pour down his promised Holy Spirit, so that the gospel can be spread to
all the four corners of the world. The Apostle Peter who cowardly denied Christ
three times after the down pour of the Holy Spirit’s spring rain became as bold
as a lion and reminded the crowd about the prophecy of Joel.
As
a result, 3000 people got saved that day. That was the beginning of the Church
worldwide. Billy Graham in his book “The Holy Spirit” notes, “In a real sense,
the Day of Pentecost in the NT on which the Holy Spirit came was “A day of
first fruits” the beginning of God’s harvest in this world, to be completed
when Christ comes again.
Pentecost
in the NT marked the commencement of the present age of the Holy Spirit.” The
Pentecost day was the fulfillment of God’s promise long ago. What is the
relevance of Pentecost today?
III.
WHY DOES PENTECOST MATTER?
The
Holy Spirit has laid a strong and powerful foundation to the worldwide church.
He turning the cowards into fearless witnesses of the gospel. The Holy Spirit
fire that was ignited on that day kept burning for the last two thousand years,
changing many lives around the globe. Why does Pentecost matter today? Here are
a few reasons, why? Firstly, the down pour of the Holy Spirit is not only
limited to that time period but meant for all subsequent generations including
ours today. Like never before, these days, God seems to be sending a fresh wind
and fresh fire of the Holy Spirit on all people. There seems to be a hunger and
sincere desire to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit among Christians of all
denominations. On the other hand, some are afraid to seek those gifts due to the
controversy over a gift of speaking in tongues.
Recently,
I watched a “YouTube” interview of John Piper from Bethlehem Baptist Church
where he shared a balanced view on this gift and also expressed his desire to
receive this gift. He said, he prayed for it several times, but God said, No! I
have given you other gifts. He went on to say, like a little child from time to
time I come back to my heavenly father asking for that gift of tongues.” As we
read in the scriptures we will come to understand that gift of tongues is one
among other gifts that God is eager to give to those who earnestly seek after
them.
Secondly,
the power of the Holy Spirit is meant for all believers both men and women, the
young and the old, so that we become effective witnesses for Christ. Finally, how
does one receive the Holy Spirit? By repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus as
our lord and savior. The seasoned Christians, must walk, believing that the
Holy Spirit is already in them. (John 14:17). On this Pentecost Sunday, my
prayer is that, we as Hope Church will recognize, the presence and experience
the Power of the Holy Spirit, daily. Oh Lord pour out your Spirit on all of us!
Amen.
