Pentecost and the Early Church: The Continuation of Jesus

Even after seeing the resurrected Jesus, the disciples still didn’t quite understand what Jesus had come to do and what His plan was for the world.

Acts 1:6 KJV 1900

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Instead of immediately restoring the kingdom to Israel, He told the disciples He would empower them to spread the good news of the kingdom of God to all nations.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The disciples couldn’t do this on their own. Instead of laying out specific strategies or providing a precise plan of action, Jesus instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.

The Disciples’ Pentecost

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples did all they knew to do: they prayed.

Acts 1:14 KJV 1900

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:2–4 KJV 1900

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Just a Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit emboldened the disciples to be witnesses to the good news of Jesus.

Acts 2:23 KJV 1900

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Acts 2:36 KJV 1900

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 2:38 KJV 1900

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

After on Spirit-filled sermon, the number of disciples jumped from 120 to 3000.

Acts 2:47 KJV 1900

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The Gentile Pentecost

How could Paul be an apostle to the Gentiles - to non-Jews? The earliest disciples understood Jesus’ message to be for Jews only.

Acts 10:15 KJV 1900

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Acts 10:47 KJV 1900

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

These Gentile believers were baptized and added to the church, thus opening wide the gates for all people to believe in Jesus and to be forgiven of their sins.

The apostles came to understand that Jesus was not only the King of Israel but also the promised Offspring of Abraham, the one through whom God would bless all the nations of the earth.