Pentecost

Acts 2:1 -13;37-39 Today is Pentecost Sunday. The day has very special significance in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and in our lives today. Pentecost was one of the three feast days during which every Jewish male was to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. The first of the feasts was the Passover which commemorated the passing over of the death angel and the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The Last Supper and the Crucifixion also took place at this time. It was at that time when the first harvested sheaf of barley was presented before the Lord. Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks took place 50 days (after the completion of 7 weeks) following the Passover. It marked the end of the wheat harvest. If you will remember, following the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and others over a period of 40 days. They were instructed to stay in Jerusalem until they had received the “Promise of the Father” Ten days later as 120 were gathered together in an upper room, all seeking God in one accord, the “Promise of the Father” was delivered. The Promise was the Comforter Jesus told them about in John 14, It was the “Holy Ghost and Fire” that John the Baptist spoke of when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan. It was the Holy Spirit, poured out in power that transformed a fearful rabble into a force to be reckoned with. Because it happened on the feast day, Jews from many countries were in the area and gathered when they heard of the commotion. They were able to hear the “120” all praising God in the languages from their home towns. As all this was going on Peter took advantage and preached a sermon to the multitude that had gathered. Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."