Significance of Pentecost
Old Testament-Jewish
A. Harvest of the First fruits
It was harvest festival when the firstfruit of the grain harvest was presented to God (Lev 23:17).
As is this day signifies the beginning of the harvest for the souls of the world. On this day God’s spirit would be unleashed to all the parts of the world. Out of this came a harvest of souls into the kingdom from 3,000 to 5,000 to multitudes won to the kingdom of God.
B. Thanking for God’s deliverance from Egypt, captivity and bondage
C. God gave the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19-20) during this time.
New Significance
Just as Jesus came and changed the face of religion and worship. So the day of Pentecost came and changed the face of the church.
This was significant in that there became a new emphasis and a new relationship. In the Holy Ghost we see
Jesus Promise of the Spirit
John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever––
John 14:26 "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15:26 ¶ "But when the Comforter comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
John 16:7 ¶ "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
Matthew 3:11 John said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto but He who is coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Early in John 20:22 Jesus appeared to them in this same upper room and “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”
Joel 2:28 ¶ "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days
The Day of Pentecost
I. There was an attraction
Acts 2:5 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.
There was connection to the events of the Pentecostal experience in the upper room and the attraction of the multitude.
This is significance as we think about the connection even today. I believe our only problem today is that with all the media exposure and things around the Pentecostal/charismatic movement that is happening people have become familiar.
There is still that element of mystery that is associated with the Pentecostal experience. There is that element of surprise. As we see in the gifts. We even call them the surprise gifts: gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues, words of wisdom, knowledge, faith,
II. There was power
Acts 1:8 "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."
This power was a power of boldness to reach the masses for Jesus Christ. It became evident in the church.
1st in Peter’s message. Peter the one who denied Christ now stands before and crowd of thousands of people and
2nd in the leaders-Stephen speaking before the Sanhedrin.
3rd in the church
Act 4:29 NKJV "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
There was power in events:
Peter and John freed in prison, Paul and Silas praying in jail,
Act 4:31 NKJV And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
There was power in miracles and healings: beggar at the gate, handkerchiefs brought to disciples, peoples hoping just to get in the shadow.
The Power of Unity
Act 4:32-35 NKJV Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. (33) And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (34) Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, (35) and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Acts 4:42 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 favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
III. There were lives changed
Act 2:37-47 NKJV Now when they heard this (Peter’s Sermons), 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 favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
This is the most significant result of Pentecost. Lives were changed. You see we see evidence that when the Holy Ghost fell then lives changed. Whether here or in Acts 19 Paul came to a church running 12 and the church grew to a mega church.
We read of 3,000 and 5,000 added to the church.
IV. There became an emphasis in the church
The Holy Spirit baptism became a regular part of the church.
Act 8:14-17 NKJV Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, (15) who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (16) For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (17) Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Act 19:1-2 NKJV And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples (2) he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
Conclusion
I want us to pray for this power. We need this Pentecostal experience to be vibrant and active in the church today. We need to this power to be a part of our church so that the people will see the difference.
