Acts 2
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accordin one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The day of Pentecost is the start of the feast of weeks, referred to in Ex 34:22, “And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest.” It was when the firstfruits of the crops were brought as a gift to God; everyone had to bring something – not a single man was to appear empty-handed before God.
Today some churches still have the tradition to hold this type of feast where the people bring thanksgiving gifts to God. A little boy was present at one of these offerings, and when the others brought their thanksgiving gifts, he realised that he had nothing to give to Jesus. Suddenly he got a bright idea, rushed to the front and got into the gifts basket, saying, “Lord Jesus, I haven’t got anything; but I give myself to you”. This is a sermon to each one of us.
When the Holy Spirit was poured out at the beginning of the feast of weeks, a rich harvest of souls were brought in. When the Holy Spirit comes there is a harvest of souls being brought into the Kingdom of God; it cannot be otherwise – if the Holy Spirit is poured out and souls aren’t saved, it is a foreign spirit.
Many marvels and miracles took place at Pentecost. God’s fire was upon the disciples and in them. Such a thing should make us marvel greatly as those people did. These were not the tongues of angels we read of 1Cor 13. The disciples were not envious of one another because they were given different gifts and languages, but each spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. The people saw tongues of fire upon each disciple, without their hair burning. This is the same fire which caught Moses’ attention at the burning bush, which wasn’t consumed. When he drew closer, he met with God; when these people drew near, they met with God too.
God the Holy Spirit works as He chooses. People have the tendency to try and copy God’s Sovereign working, but that is not good. You should rather be very attentive to His speaking and working, and adhere to His Word in the Bible, lest you quench His Spirit.
The disciples did not shut Him out, but welcomed Him to work as He wills. They were in an attitude of complete surrender to God, and God could work through them.
They were not talking about the fashion or how to flirt successfully but they spoke of God’s mighty works. These men were led by God’s Spirit and not by their own lusts, Rom 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Have you experienced Pentecost? If you still do what you like, you are an idol-worshipper.
However, those who have experienced Pentecost, have God’s commandments written in their hearts,
Ezekiel 36
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
What a blessed day for those who have experienced Pentecost, where God wrote His laws into the heart!
There are many who claim to have experienced Pentecost, but they do not live accordingly. In 1Cor 13 we read of such people. They might bluff many people by their empty show, but God knows the truth. They do not have God’s love as a living principle abiding in them, and their life is not a blessing.
God promises to give His Spirit to those who obey Him. Those who have God’s love abiding in them, gladly do His commandments; they love to do His will and obey His commandments (1John 5:2,3).
It’s amazing when the Lord takes control of a person – whether a child or an adult; it becomes evident that that person is led by the Spirit of God.
Let each one examines him- or herself whether they’ve truly experienced Pentecost. Jesus said that those who obey His words and do them are blessed.