PENTECOST.
Acts 2:1-11.
There is a time and a place for everything - or so the old folks used to say. There was a time for Christmas, and a time for Easter. There was a time for Ascension - and now, a time for Pentecost. The Greek reads, “in the filling-in of the Day of Pentecost” they were all with one accord in one place (Acts 2:1).
We must not forget that the Day of Pentecost was already in existence in the Jewish calendar. It took place annually “seven sabbaths plus a day” after the celebration of the Passover. On this day, two “wave loaves” were to be offered from out of the grain harvest, as first-fruits to the LORD (Leviticus 23:16-17). It was also known as the Feast of Weeks (cf. Numbers 28:26).
In Jewish tradition and practice, Pentecost (Greek: ‘fiftieth day’) came to represent the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This took place on the fiftieth day after the first Passover (and the exodus out of Egypt).
Later, the LORD promised a new covenant, in which He would write His law upon the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33). This is associated with the putting of the Holy Spirit ‘within you’ (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
It seems perfectly apt that, whereas Jesus died for our sins at Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), the Holy Spirit came as “the first-fruits” of our salvation at Pentecost (Romans 8:23).
The ‘happening’ of the New Testament Pentecost occurred in a place of gathering for united prayer (cf. Acts 1:14) - a place of unity, where “with one accord” (Acts 2:1) people might glorify God (cf. Romans 15:6).
“Suddenly…” (Acts 2:2-4)
i. there came a sound, “as of a rushing mighty wind” which filled the whole house where they were sitting;
ii. there appeared to them cloven tongues “like as of fire” which sat upon each of them;
iii. and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues.
We are reminded immediately of the phenomena at Mount Sinai, described elsewhere as ‘kindled with fire, and a thick cloud, and darkness, and tempest, and a trumpet sound, and a voice of words’ (Hebrews 12:18-19).
Jesus had told His disciples to ‘tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49); and ‘You shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you’ (Acts 1:8).
That power was for worldwide witness: which was why those first hearers “heard the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11), each in their own language (Acts 2:8). Babel was being reversed; God’s purposes restored.
