The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)

Good Morning! (Thank those whom have served to get everything ready for today).

Speak on Pastor Scott (Pray)

It is good to see everyone. These have been unique times for us and it is good to be meeting again here, picking up where we left off.

In the book of John, chapters 13 and 14 Jesus told His disciples He would be leaving to which Peter flipped out and said “Where are you going? Jesus replied, “Where I am going you cannot follow.”

Then in John 14.1 , Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

John 14.16, Jesus then says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Jesus is with them, which means the Spirit is with them. But, Jesus promises to give them His Spirit which will be in them.

Even though things seem troubling at times, know that Christ is with you always, if in fact His Spirit dwells in you. The world devours and destroys, but the Christ is always with those whom have placed their faith in Him.

This leads me to a story I want to tell you, a story of the promise and gift of the Holy Spirit. A story that many see as the beginning of the Church. Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 2, starting in verse 1.

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. Today is May 31st, this Sunday is traditionally celebrated as the day Christians remember Pentecost, Seven weeks since Easter. Why is this important?

In Leviticus 23, God ordains the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost), which begins 50 days after Passover. Passover, in Exodus, was the final plague on the Egyptians. This is where the unblemished Lamb was sacrificed before Passover and the blood was to be put on the door posts, so the the Lord would pass-over the people. God was with His people. This was also represented on the day Israel entered the promised land and were told to bring the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest. 50 days later they were to offer their new grain offering, of firstfruits. On this 50th day God had told the people of Israel to have a “Holy Convocation (Assembly) and do no work.” On this day they would present their new grain offering, as a gift, made into bread. They were also to give a burnt offering, a drink offering, a food offering, a sin offering, a peace offering, and a wave offering. These offerings were a firstfruits to the Lord. The people of Israel had to give offerings and sacrifice their animals for the Lord, to atone for their sins and give thanks.

Paul says in 1 Cor. 15.20, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Also in Romans 8.23, Paul said, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

God would now sacrifice His Son, for all people. And for those whom receive the gift of His blood and body, offered as a sacrifice would be saved for eternal life. And on the day when one believes, they would receive His Holy Spirit into their lives. So, In Acts 2, it has been 50 days since God’s Passover, when the blood of Christ’s sacrifice was made sufficient for all people. On this 50th day, a new gift offering is given to the people, the Holy Spirit.

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The disciples for sure were there and most likely, followers of Christ were together (around 120) on this day, assembling, not for the Spirit, per se, but because it was the day of Pentecost. They did not know when the Spirit would come as Jesus had promised. The only message they had was what He said in Acts 1:4-5, “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” But when He came, He came in with a loud wind. We know about wind in Nebraska, do we not? This also reminds of the time Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, He said, as recorded in John 3.8. “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” When ever I hear the wind in Nebraska, I often am reminded of the Spirit and Him in my life. Sometimes the wind blows from the South, sometimes from the North, or any direction in which it chooses. And, if I leave my windows open, it comes in, all of the sudden, with a loud roar. This is why it is important to listen to the Spirit, you never know how it may direct your path.

So, those who were together received the firstfruits of the Spirit, now they could speak in other languages. Continuing...

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. Why? Because of Pentecost. The people were assembling together. They were from every nation and language.

6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” Some were amazed, astonished, perplexed, others mocked. This too is how it will be in your life as you proclaim the truth of Christ.

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. At this I wonder if Peter was thinking the same thing I am thinking? ‘So, let me get this straight, the more I drink the more I can speak in other languages?!’

16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh (Which is now beginning on the Day of Pentecost), and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ If you call on the name of the Lord you will be saved, all others will perish.

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: HEAR THESE WORDS! (Take to heart) Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, JESUS. 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, That is, the place of the dead, not just what some regard as hell. nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. What is currently happening, is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His people, to be poured out into your life to help and guide you.

Jesus said, in John 16.8-11, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

John 16.13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel message is laid bare right in front of them. They have witnessed the truth, they have seen the hand of God at work, and they are hearing the truth in their own language. This message is also for you, those who are hearing today whom have not placed their faith in Christ. It is being laid bare for you to hear all, in a language you can understand. If you repent and believe, your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is God’s gift to you, to help you, to guide you, to teach you truth. (False Teachers do not have the Holy Spirit).

For if you believe, allow this to be a reminder to you. You are not walking the path alone, the Spirit gives you hope, truth, reminds you of His love for you, and will always be with you. Who is the promise of the Holy Spirit for? Look at verse 39...

39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off (By time and distance), everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized (With the Holy Spirit), and there were added that day about three thousand souls. HOW MANY? 3000! (If water, it would have to be 1 every 30 seconds, for at least 28 hours). That same day, the Day of Pentecost, God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to 3000 people who repented of their sins. People from every language and nation at that time. By the way, where did those 3000 eventually go? Right, back home to every nation, proclaiming the truth of the Gospel message. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This is why we celebrate the Day of Pentecost. As a reminder of God’s promise and gift of the Holy Spirit. And to be reminded how the Gospel began to spread and the Church began to grow. As we continue in this pandemic and the uncertainty of the world, be reminded of God’s certainty and promises. His Spirit guides you in His truth and hope always.

This week, read through Acts 2 and ask the Lord of Guidance. How are you relying on the Holy Spirit?

I would also encourage you to read John 14-16. As you read these passages, ask, “Who is Jesus? Why did He come?What are His promises?

Pray.