Acts 1:8, John 20:19-23 (John 3:11)
Preamble
The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste. It is commemorated fifty days after Easter Sunday. Prior to this occurrence as narrated in Act 2, this day was celebrated as a major Jewish festival, that is, the Feast of Weeks. This particular feast was celebrated 49 days after the Passover. It was one of the sacred assemblies that were instituted in the Old Testament as found in Leviticus 23. Thus, its commemoration explains why devout Jews from all over the world were gathered in Jerusalem at that particular time.
The Holy Spirit Comes
On such a day, when people from all over gathered in Jerusalem, it pleased the Lord to send the promised Holy Spirit and this marked the beginning of a new order in matters of faith in Jerusalem and the Greaco-Roman world. What began as a Jewish festival would henceforth become a Christian celebration worldwide. The coming of the promised Holy Spirit marked the birth of the church, and by it the enablement of the church to do as Jesus said, “to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samarian and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
According to Acts 2, on this particular day, the coming of the Holy Spirit was characterized by a great sound from heaven, the sound of a mighty rushing wind that filled the house where the disciples were gathered. Tongues of fire were seen sitting on each person gathered. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. This caught the attention of those gathered in Jerusalem and they came to see what had happened. They were caught unawares and not having witnessed such an occurrence before they deemed the disciples to be drunk.
The devout Jews gathered in Jerusalem that day heard in their native languages as the disciples spoke of the ‘wonderful works of God’ (2:11). The disciple who had been in hiding were now courageously speaking about God and his wonderful works. Then, Peter stood boldly and declared the Gospel message to all.
Notably
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On this day, the coming of the Holy Spirit marked the birth of the Church.
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This day marked the in-filling of the Holy Spirit in the disciples gathered in the upper room and consequently they spoke in other tongues.
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The devout Jews from other parts of the world became witnesses of the power of the Holy Spirit when they heard those in the upper room speak in their own languages.
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Peter’s sermon
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Was a reminder of what they already knew from the Scriptures. Prophet Joel had prophesied about such a day to come (Acts 2:17-21).
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Confirmed to them and the world at large who Jesus is as he shared the Gospel message in its wholeness (Acts 2:22-36).
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Caused the people to have a look into their own lives prompting the question, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
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Informed them that they had the promise of the Holy Spirit, if they repented and were baptized. This became a rallying call to move from sin to salvation in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-39).
The birth of the church
On this day, and apart from the disciples, the first converts were made. When Peter stood and boldly declared the message of the Gospel, three thousand were added to their number.
This church had the following marks that brought growth.
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They continued together in teaching and fellowship (2:42)
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They broke bread (ate) together (2:42)
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They prayed together and their prayers were powerful (2:42-43)
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They ensured that felt needs amongst themselves were well taken care of (2:44-45)
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They stood in one accord – whether in the Temple worship, or, when breaking bread in their homes. They exuded great joy in sharing. (2:46)
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Their lives were characterized in simplicity and full of praise to God. (2:46-47)
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Consequently, God granted them favour with those around them and added to their numbers those who were being saved. (2:47)
Why is this important?
When Jesus commissioned his disciples, he instructed them to “Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). He knew that they were not going to make it on their own, and so he had promised to send a helper, the Holy Spirit (Matthew 26:14). Just before he ascended, he reminded them of this promise, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The giving of the promise and its fulfilment were very important to the ministry that Jesus had commissioned the disciples for. They needed to be empowered to fulfil the mandate in their hands. Being the Church and going into the world was not going to be easy without the Helper, the promised Holy Spirit.
The coming of the Holy Spirit remains important for the Church even today because the assignment of the Great Commission still remains. The Church is still ‘going’ variously, and must go as sent by Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amidst many challenges in the world – climate change and global warming, political strife and wars, high end corruption that brings poverty to citizens, post-modernism and its effects, changing family dynamics and other emerging issues, substance abuse, increased internet usage and effects of (dis)connectivity, glocalization and its effects, and the LGBTQ+ agenda amongst others, the church must obey Christ’s command to “go” in the power of the Holy Spirit.
As the Church is on the “go”, the apostle Peter summarizes the duty of the Church thus, to remain united in fellowship and doctrine; to break the bread (The Lord’s Supper) together; to pray together, to care for each other’s felt needs, to be vibrant and joyful in worship and to live a simple life. When these are fulfilled, then the Lord will make the “going” worthwhile by adding to those who are being saved and consequently joining the Church through baptism.
The Pentecost is important to the individual Christian on the pew. As one given the command to ‘go’, as one who is invited to share your faith with the world, may you ask the Holy Spirit to indwell you so that you can be effective in sharing Christ to and with the world.
