And let's look at it beginning in verse 36, this is after His resurrection, "As they said these things," this is the two that He had appeared to on the road to Emmaus, "Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said to them, 'Peace to you.' I was standing there gazing, not quite knowing what to do. Our Lord saw to it that these witnesses had more than enough evidence of His resurrection, and added to this was the witness of the Spirit to the resurrection: 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. We have a very involved, and very good, and a very detailed review process at many different levels of our writings, of our speaking in the United Church of God today. You know, before we ever get to that rushing wind that came in, it's good to think about this question, because it has a direct application to you and I today. Many Christian denominations provide a special liturgy for this holy celebration. On the Day of Pentecost prophecy was fulfilled. Our sins will find us out. What was on their mind? Now, when we turn over to Acts chapter 1, and we look at, kind of summing up of this as it is. United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. The religious leaders were quick to take note of the limitations of the apostles, and yet had to reluctantly acknowledge something powerful about their ministry: 13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. That's what this day is all about as a firstfruit. Let us seek to answer this question by observing what happened. They were looking for power from on high. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. What is the day of Pentecost? | GotQuestions.org And this dramatic miracle, but beyond that, 3,000 people being added to the Church, and then a community being developed. And I didn't know how to make a connection. It's an informed sermon. People passing by at first thought that they must be drunk, but the apostle Peter told the crowd that the apostles were full of the Holy Spirit. Unmistakable. Lukes account of our Lords ascension is brief, but informative: 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren. I think there are two things that are clear, and that should dominate our thinking. Far more people than they could have ever imagined and Peter gets up and gives the sermon of his life. 14 And because they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this (Acts 4:13-14). Pentecostal Christians believe in the direct experience of the Holy Spirit by believers during all of their services. He said He wouldn't and He didn't, even though there was a moment in time when they thought that they were orphaned, as they stood gazing up and looking and wondering, "What do we do next. Third, Luke makes it emphatically clear that the power to carry out the Great Commission is the power that the Holy Spirit will bestow (1:4-5, 8). Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. Where do we go from here? Its commencement is found in the Gospels. Verse 41, "But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, 'Have you any food?'" And those days you didn't fear getting on a Greyhound bus, and you could go all over the country on a very cheap pass. But by doing so, when you read the account, you understand that they knew the Scripture, and they applied Scripture to their choice and their decision to replace Judas. If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven. Again, nothing like this had been a part of their frame of reference before. Ministers in church often wear robes with red in the design as a symbol of the flames in which the Holy Spirit came to earth. And it is in that, we reach the real nexus, the real critical point of our life before God, where we recognize that, with the Holy Spirit, we are taking on the very nature of God, the divine nature. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. An eyewitness account, there was a lack of belief that put them in the situation here that they did not understand and didn't believe that had actually happened. I've got to find out where that next bus leaves, and what time." In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Apostle Peter Biography: Timeline, Life, and Death And then it came to an end, it came to a close. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. They were with Him and they asked Him in verse 6, "Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" It was a gentle rebuke, if a rebuke at all. 13 ThenPaul and his companionsput out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:9-13, emphasis mine). Ascension, in Christian belief, the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being reckoned as the first day). And it is Christ in us that is that hope of glory. It is the Word of God and it is the Spirit of God that did it for them, and will do it for you and for I today as we live our lives, as we go about our lives. But it was a very intense period of time of Jesus appearing to them both in Galilee and Jerusalem, teaching them from the Scriptures, appearing to them in larger groups, perhaps even, more smaller groups, and in some of the ways they're talking like He did to Peter, on the Sea of Galilee, having meals with them. The. Our text has much to teach us, which is why Luke designed this chapter as his introduction to the Book of Acts. They will receive power through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses. ", A church begins to develop. Like others, I have called attention to the fact that after this account, the name of Matthias is never found again in the New Testament.8I also called attention to the fact that Jesus told His apostles to wait until the coming of the Spirit.9. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit . At the end of the 40 days, Jesus was taken up into heaven. They didn't know. 7The apparent contradictions between this account and that of Matthew 27:3-10 are not insurmountable. 11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a time! Immediately mistiness and darkness came over him, and he went around seeking people to lead him by the hand. That's what He did. And this small group of people who had signed on to what they thought was a remarkable, gifted rabbi, and followed Him around and soon learned that they had fallen into something quite different than anything they could have ever imagined, as they witnessed miracles of loaves and fishes, and people being brought back to life, and dramatic healings. What Is Pentecost in the Bible & Why Is It Important? - Word by Word Not only did Jesus give them 40 days of continual confirmation of His resurrection; He also gave them His Spirit, who likewise bears witness to the resurrection through them. I am inclined to think that verses 12-14 are an apt description of the apostles activity during the entire 50-day period preceding Pentecost. They saw it in different ways and understood it completely different from anything from our frame of reference and they were ascribing, would have been ascribing then even to Jesus something that was not of God, which in itself can be a problem. Ben Hadad, the king of Syria, was threatening war against Israel and its King, Ahab. Verses 40 to 47 is a summary of one of the most remarkable periods of the church experience. It is the day, 40 days after the Resurrection, when Jesus returns to his Father. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2), and it marks the . Acts 2:17-18 KJV [17 . 2. Preparation for Pentecost (Acts 1:1-26) | Bible.org All the gods of doubtand I say gods with a little g, because doubt, and guilt, and fear can really separate us from Godthe gods of doubt, and fear, and unbelief have all been shredded by Jesus Christ. Maybe a few more decided to go to Jerusalem on Pentecost to see what was going on, and the town was bursting at the seams, and from all these nations that we're told about here and areas. People need to see that Spirit within us. So it's something for us to examine in our own way, see how much of that is being demonstrated in our life. And you will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:12-14). When Jesus arose from the dead, He did not remain with them continually, as He once did. I think it was because Jesus had revealed the mystery of the church to them. And they're seeing that, and it's the final time. "And fear came upon every soul," and this was a different type of fear. Now all of a sudden, as Peter steps forward, and of course, you know the story of Peter. We, again, don't necessarily always pause and think about this, in these hours and days following Christ's resurrection. They looked upon them then as liars, charlatans, or fools, maybe a bit delusional. If we begin to look at one another as less than trustworthy, then that has other consequences in relationships, and that's taking place among the disciples here at this moment. Anyone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection will be able to use and print out the NET Bible without cost for personal study. They sold their possessions, they divided among them, they shared among those who had need. This should come as no surprise because the Great Commission of Matthew also referred to all three members of the Godhead: 18 Then Jesus came up and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. Four fishermen - Peter, Andrew, James and John - are landing their catch when they are approached by Jesus. These were redeemed from among men being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. The elixir, the antidote to our faith, to every one of our problems, if we could see a miracle; and we like signs, but miracles, well, they're a little harder to come up with. She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned and wept." If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, then the Spirit is the sap equipping us for the Christian life. 8 Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. We can be certain that He will provide us with everything we need to carry out His command. I began this lesson by suggesting that it is an example of a before and after presentation. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers. 27 But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. And again, He gives, through Mark's account here, He gives the same commission to go. The Giving of the Holy Spirit: On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Disciples and those with them. 9 For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory! This page has been archived and is no longer updated. It isnt about us, my friend; it is about God. Jerusalem was swelled with pilgrims, at this point in time, and this added to the drama of the moment. The Church was given favor, we're told, as they demonstrated these fruits and others were added. It is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church. It's the fourth of the spring feasts that marked the end of the barley harvest and the start of the wheat harvest (usually around June). He made it clear that the Holy Spirit played a key role in their appointment. They immediately began telling others about Jesus. Before Pentecost: What Were They Thinking. It is the Spirit of God working through weak and even foolish (in the eyes of the world) men that reveals the power of God, and brings glory to Him, not us: 26 Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. This united prayer lasted for another ten days after our Lords ascension.6It was during this ten-day period that a replacement was chosen for Judas. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth . Barnabas and Saul arrived at the island of Cyprus and had traveled as far as Paphos. It goes on, verse 12, "After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country." 13 When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. Transcript Darris McNeely Beyond Today Presenter What we read about back in Matthew 28:19 of the gospel being taken to the world. That's been the hallmark of our feature. Why are you standing around gazing? They were kind of like this, and like this. The Feast of the Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in the universality of its observance among Christians. Red flowers may adorn alters and other areas. Having said this, our Lord ascended into heaven. Christ in you, the hope of glory. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty people) and said, 16 Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judaswho became the guide for those who arrested Jesus 17 for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry. 18 (Now this man Judas acquired a field with the reward of his unjust deed, and falling headfirst he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And yet some doubted. And if those are the weapons of our warfare, then we can handle them. That's a little-understood part of what was taking place. 5 Now this secret was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:4-6, emphasis mine).
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