|
THE
MIRACLE OF PENTECOST
Astounding!" "Dumbfounding!" "What is the
meaning of this?" "What is happening?" These were the startled
expressions coming from the mouths of a crowd of several thousand on the Day
of Pentecost nearly two thousand years ago. Those who uttered these words of
astonishment were mostly Jews and proselytes, with a sprinkling of Romans and
other gentiles among them, who were gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, or the
fiftieth day following the offering of the wave sheaf. All knew it was the
"Feast of the Firstfruits," and that it was
celebrated "on the morrow after the seventh Sabbath" following the
wave sheaf ceremony. But none had the slightest inkling of what was to happen
on this momentous day. They were shocked, startled, puzzled! Then, by the
thousands, they tearfully crowded around Christ's apostles, asking to be baptized!
They repented in droves at the inspired preaching of the apostles, who wore
flickering, brilliant crowns of flame! Read, in your own Bible, of the
miracles that took place on the first Pentecost after Christ's resurrection––of the miracle of
Pentecost!
A swarthy trader from Egypt, who was half Jewish, began
speaking in a sardonic whisper to the Arabian standing next to him.
"They have got to be drunk with new wine!" he said.
The Arabian watched as the trader made a circling motion around his head with
his index finger and rolled his eyes derisively. He didn't understand a word
the Egyptian–Jew had said, but he got the message.
A Phrygian camel driver laughed, gestured toward the disciples who were in
full view, and said, "I'd like to know how they do it--I mean, how is it
that they manage to have all those flames flickering around their heads, and
not a hair singed?"
Neither of the other men understood the Phrygian, until a Levite from Media,
who was skilled in all three languages, translated for each of them.
"They can't be drunk, seeing it's only about 9:00 in the morning, and
there isn't a wineshop open in the city--but tell
me this, how is it that each of you are understanding what these men have
been saying, when they are speaking in my language?"
The Egyptian looked startled, and the Arabian's mouth dropped open. The
Phrygian camel driver laughed, "Oh, no. Impossible! They, every one of
them, have been speaking in my tongue--which is surprising, for not many in Jerusalem know the dialect of Phrygia!"
The word had spread like wildfire throughout the city: "A miracle! A
miracle! Some of the followers of that man Jesus, who claimed to be the Messiah,
are standing there with their hair on fire, and speaking in about sixteen
different languages and all of us are hearing them in our own dialect!"
When the excited babble of voices came to Peter, after most of the other disciples
had addressed the crowd, Peter stood up, gestured for silence. His hair was blazing;
flickering tongues of flame were leaping over his head like a golden corona;
yet, there was no damage to his head or hair!
"Men of Judaea, and all of you
who live in Jerusalem, let this be understood! Listen to
my words! These men are not drunken, like you think
they are, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.
"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 'And it shall
come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon
all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men
shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants
and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they
shall prophesy.'"
The Phrygian nudged the Arabian, who looked at the Median Levite. "Did
you understand that?" The Phrygian asked no one in particular. The
linguist from Media rapidly asked each the same question, and all nodded
vigorously, their eyes wide with wonderment.
"Something is going on here--something I can't explain!" the Levite
said to them. "We'd better listen!"
Can any of us truly imagine what it must have been like for the large crowd
of people from all over the Mediterranean world to have been assembled in Jerusalem on that momentous day? Can we
picture, for even a moment, the astonishing sight, the astounding words that
were spoken, or the excitement and wonderment that swept over the audience?
One of the most stupendous miracles of all time was taking place before their
astonished eyes, and filling their ears. It was the miracle of Pentecost,
when God's Holy Spirit was first made available to the human race; when the
"other Comforter" Jesus Christ promised (John 14:26) was sent to mankind.
WHY DID IT HAPPEN ON PENTECOST?
But could not Christ have sent the Holy Spirit on any
day He chose? Pentecost was a full fifty days past the weekly Sabbath during
the Days of Unleavened Bread, and therefore a good fifty– three or –four days
after Christ's resurrection!
Why, then, were Christ's disciples meeting together on
this annual Sabbath, which had been known as the "Feast of Weeks,"
or the "Feast of the Firstfruits"?
First, because Christ had commanded them to do so. Luke
wrote, of the "apostles whom He had chosen: To whom also
He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many
infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them,
commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father, 'Which,' saith He, 'Ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.' When they
therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, 'Lord, wilt Thou at
this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?'" (ACTS 1:2-6).
As an aside, notice carefully that these young men did not envision a
globe-girdling kingdom. They did not imagine for one moment the thousand-year
reign of Jesus
Christ over
the whole world (REVELATION 20:4), but were thinking, instead, of the
restoration of the kingdom of Israel to its ancient glories, as it had
been during the days of Solomon.
Christ answered, "It
is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in
His own power.
"But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea [a Roman province around Jerusalem], and in
Samaria [a northern province, inhabited by a race of people called
"Samaritans" who were forcibly emigrated by the Babylonian empire
many years earlier], and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (ACTS
1:6-8).
Obviously, the disciples understood by Jesus' words that they were to remain in
Jerusalem (verse 4), and to wait
for the promise of the empowerment of God's Holy Spirit.
"And
when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord [there
was peace and harmony here; complete agreement; an absence of competition and
strife], in one place [it was obviously a very large room of some
kind] and SUDDENLY [they didn't expect it, and it was startling!] there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind
[like a tornado, or hurricane], and it filled all the house where they
were sitting" (ACTS 2:1,2).
They were probably sitting at tables laden with food, enjoying the Feast of Firstfruits, just as they had all their lives. This was
the day which began to be called the "fiftieth," which is what
"pentecost" means, in the Greek language.
WHY THE "FIFTIETH"?
Let the Word of God answer: "And ye shall count unto you from
the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the
wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete.
Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number [count
off] fifty days" (LEVITICUS 23:15,16).
Seven sabbaths (seven full weeks, each ending with
the Sabbath) equal forty-nine days. The morrow after the seventh Sabbath is
the fiftieth day, and therefore "Pentecost" in the Greek language.
Many years after the Holy Spirit came on that momentous Pentecost, Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, "For I will not see you now by
the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
"But I will tarry in Ephesus
until Pentecost" (I CORINTHIANS 16:7,8).There was a large church
at Ephesus, and Paul, writing in the late 50s A.D., about thirty years after
the ascension of Christ, explained to the Corinthian church why he must
remain for a time, delaying his arrival in Corinth. He wanted to remain in Ephesus "until Pentecost."
It was no accident that Jesus Christ chose Pentecost, or the "Feast of the Firstfruits," to send the Holy Spirit upon His
apostles, and to make God's Holy Spirit available to mankind.
THE FIRST OF THE FIRSTFRUITS
Jesus Christ was the firstbegotten
among all mankind! Never before had a human being walked this earth with the
Spirit of the Father dwelling fully within him!
Jesus Christ had the preeminence. He was first.
Paul wrote, "For unto which of the angels
said He at any time, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee'? And
again, 'I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a son'? And again,
when He bringeth the firstbegotten
into the world, He saith, 'And let all the angels of God worship Him'"
(HEBREWS 1:5,6).
Jesus Christ was not only the firstborn of Mary (MATTHEW 1:25), but He was the first begotten of
God the Father in the history of the world.
The "firstlings" of the flock, as well as the firstborn among Israel, were holy to God (See EXODUS
13:2; NUMBERS 3:12). The right of primogeniture, or
the birthright, was passed on from firstborn son to firstborn son. As the
very first to be begotten of God, Jesus Christ was the very first among the first fruits of salvation of
all the world.
Paul wrote of Christ, "In Whom we have redemption through His
blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in the
earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him; And He
is BEFORE [ahead of, not only in time, but in authority]
all things, and by Him all things consist (read Hebrews, the first
chapter]. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the
preeminence" (COLOSSIANS 1:14-18).
When Jesus
Christ was
born of the virgin Mary, He became human. He was made flesh. "Forasmuch
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself
likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that
had the power of death, that is, the devil;
"And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but
He took on Him the seed of Abraham" (HEBREWS 2:14-16). Later,
Paul wrote, "Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save
Him from death, and was heard in that He feared" (HEBREWS 5:7,8).
As a flesh–and–blood human being, Jesus Christ was not composed of spirit, but composed of flesh, from
the elements of this earth, just as you and I are fleshly human beings.
But there was a difference. Jesus Christ was not only begotten of God by a great divine miracle,
He was imbued with the Holy Spirit of God from birth. God's Holy Spirit was
within Christ's mind and nature from the
beginning. He was the first to be begotten of God from the flesh, and He was
the first to be begotten of God by the Spirit.
God's great plan of salvation is revealed by seasonal progression in
nature––by the harvests that provide food for man. There were two harvests in
Palestine (the spring barley harvest, and
the harvest of the autumn) about the time of the Feast of
"Ingathering," or the Feast of Tabernacles.
When God called Israel out of slavery, He revealed to
them that the first month of the sacred year was the "month of green
ears," or Abib, when the first tender shoots of the barley plants were emerging from the soil.
He told them they were to offer a special offering to God when they entered
into the promised land; an offering of thanksgiving for the fruit of that
bounteous place. He said, "When ye be come into the land which I give
unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf [an
armload of grain] of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest:
"And he shall wave the sheaf
before the Eternal, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath
the priest shall wave it" (LEVITICUS 23:10,11).
The "wave sheaf offering" pictured the risen Christ, now cut off from the earth,
resurrected from the tomb, being presented to God as the first fruits of
God's harvest of all mankind. Fifty days later was the spring barley harvest.
The first fruits would be harvested then, commencing with the Feast of the
First fruits, or the Feast of Weeks.
Jesus Christ is the central figure of all this
symbolism. How strange it is that mainstream professing Christianity utterly
ignores all of God's annual Sabbaths, with their rich typology! Setting aside
any argument about whether the large denominations should be keeping these
days, why do not their pastors at least educate their congregations about the
rich meaning of them?
Christ is symbolized by the Paschal lamb; by the sheaf of the wave offering;
by the first fruits; by trumpets, which herald His return to earth; by the
sin–offering and "scapegoat" ceremony of Atonement, which picture
Christ's sacrificial death and His work to disqualify and eject Satan; by
Tabernacles, for He "tabernacled in the human flesh," and by the
"Last Great Day," for He is the Judge Who will judge all mankind (REVELATION
20:11).
Each of the annual holy days pictures Christ and His atoning work in one way or another. Why not teach
them, even if only as history and typology? One would be prone to think the
pastors of thousands of churches studiously avoid teaching anything about
God's seasonal festivals, for fear their congregations might ask them,
"Then why don't we keep them?"
It was most obvious to Christ's chosen disciples that they would experience the
stupendous miracle of receiving God's Holy Spirit, His power, on the
"fiftieth" day, or the Feast of Sabbaths! It was the next holy day
on the sacred calendar following Christ's final appearance to them; only about ten days from that
wondrous event!
It was not only a day when God the Father begat thousands of children, it was a
birthday of sorts, as well!
JESUS CHRIST BUILDS HIS CHURCH
Jesus Christ had said to Peter, "I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter
[Greek: petros, the masculine, which means, a
"pebble," or "a stone"], and upon this ROCK
[Greek: petra, the feminine, which means a huge
massif, a whole mountain of stone] I will build My church, and the gates of
hell [hades, meaning "the grave"]
shall
not prevail against it" (MATTHEW 16:18).
This vitally important verse requires careful study; careful comparison with
the many other scriptures which shed light upon Jesus' statement.
Millions believe Jesus was saying He would build His church upon Peter, as if Peter were to become the "chief
apostle," or the first pope. But the Greek words, as well as many, many
other divinely-inspired scriptures of your Bible make it clear this was not
the case.
Jesus Christ is the HEAD of His true church,
not Peter. First, remember that the Greek
word for "church" is ekklesia, and means
"an assembly," or "a group," or "called-out
ones." The word means a group of people, and has nothing to do
whatsoever with a building, a temple, a cathedral, a steeple, or an
organizational hierarchy. Christ prophesied that His group of called-out ones would be
small, scattered, persecuted.
He said to His disciples, "fear not, little flock," when he
promised them the Kingdom.
Notice Who is the Head of Christ's church: "Which He wrought in Christ,
when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the
heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world [age],
but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the HEAD over all things to the church, Which is His body,
the fullness of Him that filleth all in all"
(EPHESIANS 1:20-23).
Only a few verses later, Paul wrote concerning the gentiles, "Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with
the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;
in Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth
unto a holy temple in the Lord: In Whom ye also are builded
together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (EPHESIANS
2:19-22).
Jesus Christ is the HEAD of His group of called-out ones, not Peter, or any
man––not then, not down through history, and not now!
Notice further: "And He is the head of the body, the
church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things
He might have the preeminence" (COLOSSIANS 1:18).
Jesus Christ is the ROCK upon Whom He
established His church, not Peter! "Because I will publish the name of the
Eternal: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the ROCK, His work is
perfect: for all His ways are judgment" (DEUTERONOMY 32:4). A
few verses later, God says, "then he [Israel]
forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the ROCK of his
salvation....Of the ROCK that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast
forsaken God that formed thee" (verses 15,18).
David said God was his "rock of
refuge" and referred to Christ as the "Rock" almost two dozen times in the
Psalms.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Moreover brethren, I would not that ye
should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea; And were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the
sea: And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same
spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual ROCK that followed them:
and that Rock was Christ" (I CORINTHIANS 10:1-4).
Jesus Christ built His true church on the Day
of Pentecost, in the early summer of A.D. 31 in Palestine. HE was Head of His church then,
and He is Head of that same church, wherever there are "called-out
ones" who are joined to Christ through the Holy Spirit today.
Christ had told His disciples they would
receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Now, notice the amazing
manifestations of that power Christ sent from heaven:
THE POWER OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL
What was the kind of power Jesus Christ sent? First, the startled disciples and the other people
gathered on that Pentecost nearly two thousand years ago heard a powerful
sound. To them, and to Luke, who may well have been there, it sounded like "a
rushing, mighty wind!"
Time and time again, when our television news reports terrible tornado
damage, those who escaped with their lives, but who may have experienced
terrible damage, or lost their homes, will say, "It sounded just like a
freight train!" Anyone who has been close to the railroad tracks when a
freight train thundered by will well remember the sound! With a roar, a deep,
thunderous rumble, like a hurricane, the Holy Spirit of God filled the room!
Would you have been astonished? I certainly would have! They seemed to hear
the whole room filled with this roaring, powerful, mighty sound!
Suddenly, as they were looking about in wide-eyed surprise and wonderment,
fire seemed to materialize in the air! Flickering, leaping, dancing tongues
of flame separated, came down from the air above the disciples, and seemed to
settle on their heads, like fiery crowns; blazing, bright yellow and orange
fire was now clearly visible atop the head of each one of Christ's twelve
apostles!
Yet, not a hair of their heads was singed. What would have been our reaction
if we had been there? Words like shock, surprise, astonishment, perplexity,
and wonderment come to mind.
Naturally, when the first one of Christ's twelve apostles stood and beckoned to the crowd, a
great silence must have immediately filled the room!
Apprehensive, shocked, astonished, perhaps fearful, the crowd would have
given these men their undivided attention!
Talk about power! It was not necessary for God to use some "marketing
techniques" on this Day of Pentecost. No attractive advertising, or
clever phrases, or radio or television ads, or printed pages were used. No,
this was the power of God Almighty, and it immediately got their whole
attention!
Quickly, some of their number ran out. Wildly shouting, gesticulating, they
ran into the streets of Jerusalem (ACTS 2:6), calling out to everyone about the unbelievable miracles
they had seen and heard. Gradually, the crowd swelled, until there were
thousands present!
Then, repeated hundreds of times, the scenario you read at the beginning of
this article took place. "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that
every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and
marveled, saying one to another, 'Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue [language],
wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappodocia, in
Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt,
and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and
strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes [gentiles who had converted to
Judaism], Cretes
and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues [our native
languages and dialects] the wonderful works of God'" (ACTS
2:6-11).
This was intelligible speech. These were spoken and written languages; at
least sixteen of them in all, some of which were similar, but others of which
were completely different, as Greek and Hebrew are completely different! This
was not a riotous demonstration of gibberish. The apostles were in control of
what they said.
Paul instructed the Corinthians, "If
any man speak in a language [the word "unknown" is
italicized, and was supplied by translators. It does not appear in the
original text], let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course
[meaning, "one at a time," so each can be heard and understood––not
all three talking at once]; and let one interpret. But if there be
no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church: and let him speak to
himself, and to God. Let the prophets [inspired preachers, or
speakers] speak two or three, and let the other judge [listen, and
evaluate]. If anything be revealed to another [prophet]
that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For
ye may all prophesy one by one [one at a time, not in a babble of
confusion], that all may learn [from intelligible speech!],
and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints" (I CORINTHIANS 14:27-33).
Clearly, the format for worship services in the early church was different
from most church services today. Two or three different speakers addressed
the people, probably in more of a "Bible study" manner, or tone.
They spoke one after another. If one had the gift of speaking in foreign
languages (not "unknown," meaning no language at all, but
gibberish), he was welcome to speak, so long as there was a translator
present, to make known to others what he was saying.
This was a gift of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of evangelism in the early
church, for many were Greeks, Romans, and people from all over the Roman empire. Many were bilingual, or even
trilingual.
A careful reading of this important chapter shows that, while God may have
given the gift of languages to a few in the church, He did not repeat the
miracle of Pentecost, for the miracle in Corinth was in the speaking only,
and not in the hearing. Otherwise, no translator would have been necessary.
This is what we have learned: that any prophet or preacher who had the gift
of languages was in complete control of that gift–– it was "subject"
to him (verse 32); that no more than two or three were allowed to
speak at any worship service; that each should speak one at a time; that, if
the speaking of one triggered an important thought in the mind of another,
the first was to desist, and the other could then speak; and that any prophet
or preacher who had the gift of languages could not speak in a different
language unless a translator was present, who could help others understand.
Paul said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues [glossa in the Greek, meaning "languages"]
more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding [Greek: "the understanding of me; that is, being
understood], that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words
in a [foreign] language" (I CORINTHIANS 14:18,19).
The thousands present on that miraculous Day of Pentecost heard intelligible
speech! The miracle was both in the speaking, and in the hearing!
They plainly exclaimed to each other, "We do hear them speak in our
languages the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD" (ACTS 2:11).
But some mocked in derision. Some laughed, ridiculed the apostles,
no doubt thinking the mighty roaring wind and the leaping crowns of
flickering fire on the apostles' heads was some kind of trick.
They said, "These men are full of new wine!" (ACTS 2:13). Why
would they say such a thing?
It is very important to note that God's Word plainly tells us these apostles
spoke one at a time! They spoke in clear, intelligible language. In their own
minds, they were speaking in their own language, their own Galilean dialect.
But in the miracle of Pentecost, God caused their speech to be heard in about
sixteen different languages.
Those who mocked were not mocking because of the manner in which the apostles
acted, the way they deported themselves. No, they mocked because of what they
were saying!
THE MESSAGE OF PENTECOST
What was it the apostles said which would cause some in the crowd to ridicule
them, to claim they had to be "drunk"?
We do not have the record of any of the statements made by the other eleven,
who spoke prior to Peter. We have only a portion of what Peter said, as recorded by Luke, in Acts, the second chapter.
Read slowly and carefully ACTS 2:14–40 to remind yourself
of Peter's inspired message. Luke may have written it down in either Aramaic, an Hebrew dialect, or Greek––or both. It
has come down to us through the Greek, Latin, and finally Old English
tongues, into our modern English. But it was being understood, as Peter spoke, by people from Arabia, Egypt, Rome, and many, many other cities and
countries!
Peter denied they were drunk, and
insisted this was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of God's Holy Spirit
being poured out "upon all flesh" (verse
17).
Then, he came quickly to his main point: "Ye men of Israel, hear these
words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and
wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves
also know:
"Him, being delivered by the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God [God allowed Christ's
death], ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom
God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not
possible that He should be holden of it"
(verses 22-24).
Immediately, Peter began emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He continued stating this
powerful truth in many ways, over and over again!
Notice: "For David speaketh concerning Him, 'I
foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I
should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad;
moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because Thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell [hades, the grave],
neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see
corruption" (verses 24-26).
Peter then insisted David was dead, that he was buried, and
that his sepulchre remained with them until that time (verse 29).
Notice how many times Peter spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "God
had sworn with an oath to him [David], that of the fruit of his
loins, according to the flesh, He would RAISE UP Christ to sit on his throne;
He seeing this before spake of the RESURRECTION of
Christ....This Jesus hath God RAISED UP, whereof we are all witnesses"
(verses 25-32).
After speaking powerfully, his voice ringing with authority and conviction
(for, after all, he was telling them what he had seen with his own eyes, what
he knew, what he had experienced––not something he merely
"believed" to be true, but something he knew had actually happened!),
he told them what it was they were experiencing––the MIRACLE OF PENTECOST!
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received
of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath now shed forth this,
which ye now SEE and hear" (ACTS 2:33). Peter was speaking to them with a
brilliant crown of flames atop his head and no doubt pointed to the flames as
he spoke.
COULD THERE BE ANY MORE POWERFUL WITNESS?
They were experiencing miracles from God! They could SEE the flickering flames.
They had heard the mighty rushing sound, like a tornado or hurricane. They
could hear each of the apostles speaking in their own tongues, though there
were over a dozen different languages represented!
Peter concluded this powerful discourse
by saying, "For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself,
'The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, Until I make Thy foes
Thy footstool.' Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made
this same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ!" (ACTS 2:34-36).
Now, the majority of those who were being astonished by these awesome
manifestations of God's Spirit were truly listening. Now, following the
inspired, powerful words of Peter, as they saw the flames leaping about his head and
glanced at the other eleven with their amazing crowns of fire, they were
shocked! Suddenly, they KNEW!
Thoughts came rushing back. Some of them had been among the crowds, shouting
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Some had watched Him drag that heavy
pale along the streets, and fall under the load. Some had seen the livid,
bloody wounds all over His body; the vicious crown of thorns that had ripped
His scalp. All had been frightened and had wondered about that incredible
dark, dark day, when it had become like midnight, and a mysterious darkness had
settled over the land; wondered, and been fearful, when a great earthquake
had shaken the city! They had heard the wildest rumors! A relative had said,
"Grandpa is ALIVE! He came walking into the house only an hour ago (MATTHEW 27:52,53).
They had heard that the veil in the Temple that covered the entry into the
Holy of Holies had ripped asunder when the big quake shook the land.
Now, their consciences were screaming at them! Now, they suddenly knew! He
really WAS the promised Messiah! He really WAS the Son of God! They had
killed Christ! They had murdered the Savior!
Some began crying. Many shuffled about, looking down in shame. Tears sprang
to their eyes, and their hands trembled. Some began shouting out their
anguish to Peter and the apostles and to each other, torn by shame and self–revulsion
at what they had done. "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" they
asked.
"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 Spirit! For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God
shall call" (ACTS 2:38,39).
What a fabulous, gracious, merciful promise! They could be forgiven! Forgiven
for having taken part in mob violence; in having participated in an illegal,
hateful murder!
But Peter continued to speak. He continued
to assure them of God's mercy, of the fact that even Jesus Christ Himself,
Who was ALIVE, was willing to forgive them! "And with many other words
did he testify and exhort, saying, 'Save yourselves
from this untoward generation!'" (verse 40).
Were some dropping to their knees? Were some hugging
one another, crying? Were some lifting their hands to heaven, with tears in
their eyes? Were some approaching the twelve, eyes
wide with wonderment, trembling, asking them if they could be baptized? Yes,
all of this, and more.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same
day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).
THE CHURCH OF GOD IS BORN
There were pools, baths, and vessels of water for camels and horses aplenty
in Jerusalem. All that Pentecost afternoon, Christ's disciples were very, very busy.
By the score, and by the hundreds, the excited, weeping, eager people came
forward to the disciples. As each confessed his or her sins, tearfully and
pleadingly expressing how deeply sorry they were for all they had done––for
their calloused disregard of Jesus Christ and for their own part in
contributing to His death– –the disciples quickly lowered them into the
water, then brought them up.
Some of those doing the baptizing, including Andrew, Peter's brother, had been students of John the Baptist. They knew exactly how
it was done. Andrew had been present when Jesus Himself had been baptized of John (LUKE 3:29), and had heard John say, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (JOHN 1:29). Luke wrote, "Then they that gladly received
the word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread [eating meals], and
in prayers. And fear [awe, wonderment, amazement––not fright, or terror] came
upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles"
(ACTS 2:41-43).
We are not told what these astonishing signs and wonders were, but they were
no doubt related to the necessities of the times. Was the miracle of loaves
and fishes repeated? Were there miraculous healings? Did the gift of speaking
in foreign languages continue? No doubt it did.
Remember, all these people who had flocked into Jerusalem were pilgrims, joining the local
citizens for the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. They were knowledgeable of the
Law. They knew about God's annual Sabbaths, and they must have known many of
the prophecies, such as ISAIAH 52 AND 53, and many of the PSALMS,
which foretold a new Messiah.
Now, as God opened their minds by the power of His Holy Spirit, they suddenly
began to see, to understand, the marvelous truths that had been hidden from
them before.
"And
all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their
possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had
need" (ACTS 2:42-45).
They wanted nothing so much as being together, these newly– begotten members
of God's church. They wanted to ask endless questions, and to eagerly hear
the answers; to listen to the astonishing recollections of the apostles who
had spent three and one-half years with Jesus Christ; to hear of His miracles, of how
He had walked on water, and healed the deaf and blind.
Because they remained far longer than they had planned, they sold
possessions, and willingly shared all they had with those who were not as
well off. This was not some early form of "communism," but an eager
sharing, a generous spirit of giving, brought on by their deep conversion and
their wondrous newfound knowledge of God's Word. Had not Jesus Christ taught that one should give to
another?
But this first great day, the Day of Pentecost, was only the beginning of
God's church! Notice: "And they continued daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house [from place to
place; margin: "at home"], did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved" (ACTS 2:46,47).
What a wondrous time! There were no doubt a few of the Pharisees, Sadducees,
and members of other religious sects who were converted at the same time.
They came from all walks of life; some of them were wealthy, and many were
poor. To have journeyed from so many points of the compass indicates that
many had ample funds to sustain them on a trip of great distance, and no
small duration.
No wonder, then, that Almighty God chose the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of
First fruits, to send His Holy Spirit upon these first converts. They would
never forget these amazing experiences!
For the rest of their lives, they would be able to see, in their vivid
memories, the leaping flames of fiery crowns atop the heads of Christ's apostles; to remember that
roaring sound; to remember the astonishing signs, wonders, and miracles they
saw and heard!
Thus it was that when thousands of these newly-begotten children of God
returned to their homes, each was like a spiritual ambassador, to excitedly
inform their loved ones, their neighbors and friends, of all they had seen
and heard. Without the slightest doubt, their powerful witness helped spread
the gospel of Jesus
Christ all
over that part of the known world within only a few months!
A church had been born! in a matter of a few hours,
by the power of God, thousands had been deeply converted, convicted of sin,
made willing to broken-heartedly repent of sin! But even greater things were
to happen in a matter of days.
MORE AMAZING MIRACLES, THEN ARREST, AND JAIL!
A short while later, Peter and John were returning to the Temple at the "hour of prayer,"
no doubt intending to teach the crowds who resorted there.
They saw a pitiful lame man, emaciated, helpless, who had to be carried near
the entry every day, for he was a beggar, and could not walk.
Study the inspiring third chapter of Acts slowly and carefully, and let God's
Holy Spirit help you to drink in of these beautiful words. As the beggar saw Peter and John, he piteously held up his hands,
begging, just as he always did to everyone passing by. He had no idea they
were anyone special. He was only begging, asking for "alms," or a
little money.
Moved with compassion, and inspired by the powerful wonders God's Holy Spirit
had performed through him and all the others, "Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, 'Look on us!' And he [the beggar] gave heed unto them, expecting
to receive something from them" (ACTS 3:1-5). Obviously, the
beggar was only expecting money, nothing else.
"Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee: In the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!"
Then, in fullest confidence and faith in God, never doubting for a moment
that God would honor this prayerful command, "he took him by the right
hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the
temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God!" No wonder! What
a joyful, exciting moment in this poor man's life.
For his entire lifetime, from his earliest memories, he had been a helpless
cripple. Unable to work, his parents could only hope that passersby would
take pity on him, and that he could bring a little money home to help with
the food.
Now, suddenly, these men had spoken a command "in the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth," then grabbed him by the hand, and now he could
walk! No wonder he cavorted! No wonder he leapt as far as he could! No wonder
he praised God aloud! Why did Jesus Christ perform such a miracle through Peter?
"And
all the people saw him walking and praising God: "And they knew that it
was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were
filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him"
(ACTS 3:6-10).
The man, who had been leaping and cavorting about, now rushed up to Peter and John, embracing them, hugging them, no
doubt crying tears of gratitude, and praising God. A large crowd began
gathering immediately: "And as the lame man which
was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that
is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto all the
people, 'Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own
power or holiness we had made this man to walk?'" (verses
11,12). Then
followed another powerful witness!
Peter preached again about the betrayal,
murder, death and burial of Jesus Christ. Once again, he spoke about His resurrection, and then
told the crowd it had been the name of Jesus Christ, through FAITH in His name, that had made the
beggar whole.
He urged them, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come
from the present of the Lord: And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto
you" (verses 19,20).
He concluded, "Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning
away every one of you from his iniquities" (ACTS 3:26).
No doubt, there was much more that Peter said. But Luke records, "And
as they [John and the others no doubt also spoke again] spake unto the people, the priests, and the
captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them.
"Being grieved that they
taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead
[the Sadducees denied there was any resurrection taught in Scripture]. And
they laid hands on them [arrested them forcibly], and put them in hold [in a
locked room, as in a jail] unto the next day: for it was now eventide"
(ACTS 4:1-3).
Much is not said which is obvious. First, the religious posturers
deliberately ignored the powerful evidence of divine miracles that had occurred.
Second, even though the crowd was astonished at Peter and John's actions and speech, they did
nothing while Peter and John were led away! Such was the influence of the religious leaders in the
Temple.
God's Word then says, "Howbeit [in spite of what the
priests did] many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the
men was about five thousand!" (verse 4).
More new converts! More thousands who were deeply convicted by all they heard
and saw! Now, God's church was growing by leaps and bounds! They were
threatened the next morning, then released.
But shortly, they were clapped in jail again! This time, they prayed
fervently, and an angel from God opened the jail doors, stood there in plain
sight, and said, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the
people all the words of this life" (ACTS 5:20).
What a wondrous time! What marvelous, miraculous, breathtaking events! Fire
leaping atop the disciples' heads; a mighty rushing wind roaring like a
hurricane; signs, wonders, great healings of the afflicted and infirmed.
Later, Luke wrote about the crowds being so
large that widows were being neglected. He mentioned how the "number
of the disciples was multiplied " (ACTS 6:1).
God's church began with a stupendous series of divine miracles. It grew
rapidly, multiplying into the many thousands in only days and weeks! Could
Almighty God do that again in our day if He chose?
NOT BY MIGHT OR BY POWER
Constantly, we find ourselves thinking about ways to preach Christ's gospel to the world more efficiently.
In faith, we depend entirely upon voluntary tithing and giving; depend on God
to lay it upon the hearts and minds of those whom He is calling to want to
have their part in doing His work. This did not happen at that first
Pentecost.
Christ's apostles were empowered, NOT by
legal documents or organizational charts or some form of "church
government." They were empowered, NOT by large numbers of people who
supported them and began sending tithes and offerings to them. No, they were
empowered by the Holy Spirit of God!
SUDDENLY, like the sound of a violent hurricane, the power of the Holy Spirit
filled that large room! SUDDENLY, with blazing, leaping tongues of fire, the
air above their heads seemed to flash with flames. The flames separated into twelve
equal parts, and, in the astonished eyes of the apostles and all the people,
settled upon their heads!
SUDDENLY, they knew what was happening! Had not Jesus Christ commanded them to wait until they
received power "after that the Holy Spirit had come upon them"?
Filled with spiritual strength and courage, absolutely supercharged with
faith and power, they began speaking to the people! This was the miracle of
Pentecost!
For hours, as the crowd swelled into the many thousands, those men, one by
one, their hair blazing yet not burning, spoke of their experiences with Jesus Christ; of His death, burial, and
resurrection!
Would not Peter have said, "I too rejected Him?" and been emotional when he
said it? Would not others have recounted how they faded into the night in
shame when he was lifted up on the tree, to die in agony? Could not those
inspired apostles have reached out to the people, saying they, too, had
experienced their doubts; that they had fled from their Savior in the moment
of His greatest need?
But it was not merely their words which touched the hearts of thousands, but
the Holy Spirit conveying those words into the minds and hearts of the
people, and the Holy Spirit opening those minds and hearts to hear! There was
the miracle of the roaring wind, the miracle of the blazing crowns of fire,
the miracle of speech, the miracle of hearing each apostle in perhaps sixteen
different languages, and there was the miracle of understanding!
Then, there was the miracle of repentance granted to thousands! In that very
day, the church Jesus said He would build was established upon the foundation
of Jesus Christ Himself, and upon the apostles and the prophets (EPHESIANS
2:20).
In that very day, thousands of "new creatures in Christ" (II CORINTHIANS 5:16,17) were begotten! It was the Feast of the First fruits, and
the first fruits unto the Lamb were being harvested!
At any moment, through any human agency, in any place, the Almighty God can
use powerful miracles to call and to convert literally thousands of people.
For it is "not by might, nor by power [human power], but by my Spirit, saith the
Eternal of Hosts" (ZECHARIAH 4:6).
Today, we still live in the time of the first fruits of salvation. The great
fall harvest will not come until after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ,
when the whole world will come under the rule of the King of Kings and the
Lord of Lords (ISAIAH 2; MICAH 4). A "window of opportunity" is
open to you, believe it or not. Is it a mere "accident" that God is
causing you to read these words; to think deeply about the great miracle of
Pentecost? Think about it. God knows you. He knows your middle name, and He
knows your address. He knows every thought of your heart. Today, as then, He
is saying to each one, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus
Christ for
the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit."
The miracle of Pentecost can occur in your own personal life if you are
willing.
Copyright © 1997 by The Church of God, International All rights reserved.
|
