Setting the Stage for the Holy Spirit
Who is the Holy Spirit? What was the significance of Pentecost? How can we hear and respond to the Holy Spirit in our lives?
When is Pentecost in 2024?
May 19, 2024
What Was Pentecost?
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (Acts 20:1)
Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish celebration observed 50 days after the first day of Passover. This harvest festival celebration was also called the Feast of Weeks and Shavuot. It celebrated God giving Moses and the people of Israel the Law, which gave them a national identity under God and taught them to love God and their neighbors as a community.
Not too long before this, as Jesus ascended into Heaven, He encouraged His followers, who numbered about 120 people, not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We see these followers were faithful to Jesus’ calling. While we don’t know where they were gathering or how many of the 120 followers were still there, but we know that they were no longer hiding in Jerusalem out of fear. Instead they were actively and expectantly waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit to be fulfilled.
The Holy Spirit Enters the World
“Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 20:2-4)
Some context to these unique passages:
Sound of Wind: Wind is consistently used to symbolize the movement and the presence of the Spirit of God.
Tongues of Fire: Fire often symbolizes God’s presence which was evident that day.
We have miraculous signs that can only point to an encounter with God. It is safe to say that the Holy Spirit came upon God’s people with great power! The baptism of the Holy Spirit, long-promised by the Old Testament prophets, by Joel and Jeremiah, Isaiah and Ezekiel, and by John the Baptist and by Jesus Himself, was now actualized.
The Holy Spirit filled the followers of Jesus and gave them a miraculous gift: the ability to speak in other languages they were not trained to do so. However, this gift was not given for the disciples’ glory, and we have no evidence that this was a gift they experienced long-term. Instead, the Holy Spirit gifted them this ability for a particular task for the glory of God: To initiate a worldwide proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus.
Why the Holy Spirit Chose Pentecost
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard their language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?’” (Acts 20:5-8)
Jerusalem was filled with faithful Jews from all over the known world who had traveled there to observe Passover and, due to the proximity of the feasts, stayed there for Shavuot. It’s important to note that many of these Jews would have been witnesses to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus that occurred around Passover. And now God, through the Holy Spirit, was giving these people a miraculous sign.
It also surprised them that Galileans, who were thought to be uneducated, were speaking their languages so fluently. This was unexpected by all who heard, and it caused much confusion.
However, the disciples were not confused. It was evident that God was behind this great miracle. He had an evangelical mission to the entire world that would start at that place and time. They had been obedient. They praised God in the languages they had been given for the glory of God’s great name!
“‘Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs -we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our tongues!’ Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’” (Acts 20:9-12)
All these regions mentioned here in Acts and can be seen on this map boasted large Jewish populations due to the dispersions of the Jewish people during the years of exile. These places surrounded Jerusalem like spokes on a wheel- and one day would grow into a worldwide faith community with Jerusalem at its center.
Faithful Jews from all corners of the world were present to hear God praised in their languages by Galileans. God had caught these people’s attention, confused, surprised, and intrigued. He desired that they would listen to the message of Jesus and carry it to the far corners of the world. God stirred in their hearts a desire to know more.
But Peter was prepared to share more and began to preach. For the following 23 verses, Peter preaches a sermon with two main points.
What Does Peter Proclaim?
1) The World Entered A New Spiritual Age
First, Peter declares that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that they have all just heard and witnessed is a sign that the world has entered a new spiritual age. They are no longer in an age where they are to wait for the coming Messiah. Pentecost ushered in a new spiritual age and is one that we still currently live in. This age invited us to experience how the Kingdom of God is breaking into our world and to wait for it to be fully revealed at the end of days. (Acts 20:14-21)
2) Jesus is Lord
Second, Peter proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified and resurrected not many days ago, is the Lord and the Messiah! (Acts 20:22-36)
Peter succeeds in convincing his listeners of the truth of Jesus and instilling in them a sense of conviction. But unfortunately, the Jewish people, including many people listening, have refused and rejected Jesus, on whom all their hope rests.
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” (Acts 20:37-39)
Out of conviction and desperation, the Jewish listeners cried out a simple sentence, “What shall we do?” It was beyond them to reverse history, to undo the past. However, it’s God’s nature to shine a light of hope into a hopeless situation.
Peter declared that it was not too late even then, nor is it today. The God of Israel continues to be the God of grace and patience to His chosen people, despite their unfaithfulness. There is still time to turn away from their past and return to God. Peter shared a reassuring answer.
How To Turn Away From Unfaithfulness
1) Repent
Repenting means more than just feeling regret and seeing the need for forgiveness for your sins. Repentance calls for a complete change of heart. Movement is involved. It is a turning away from sin and a turning to God in love and obedience. This change of nature would be essential for those who rejected and refused Jesus. Despite their past spiritual blindness, these Jews would still be graciously invited to turn to Jesus and the redemption that only He can provide.
2) Baptism
Peter called for them to be baptized. To submit to baptism in the name of Jesus the Messiah would be a statement that they are dying to their own life and entering a new life through Jesus.
In repenting and being baptized in submission, obedience, and faith in Jesus Christ, there is a promise that they will receive the Holy Spirit.
What does this mean?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of our Triune God. When a person has a conversion experience and becomes an authentic follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells inside them and is God’s presence in their lives.
The Holy Spirit is a wise counselor who teaches, reminds, and spurs us to pursue the things of God. He reminds us of Jesus’ teachings and continues to help us grow in understanding. He guides us in all truth. He will push us outside of our comfort zone to speak or help or serve for God’s purposes.
The Holy Spirit empowers God’s people by giving them the abilities, or spiritual gifts, to be the hands and feet of God for specific purposes.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and guides us into repentance. He will help us examine our lives and lead us to pursue greater holiness.
The Holy Spirit helps us grow the excellent fruit of Godly character in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
We learn that 3,000 people were receptive to God’s call through Peter’s message at the end of that day. This is 25-times more people who came to faith that day than the number of people who came to faith during Jesus’ time on earth. The Holy Spirit is powerful and can do big things through simple but willing humans.
Through the mysterious beauty of Scripture, this passage not only tells a historical happening but also speaks to you and me today, 2000 years later.
What Does This Passage Say to You?
“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.” (Acts 2:38)
Scripture calls each one of us to repentance. Even if you have already had your own conversion experience and made Jesus your Lord and Savior, are there areas of your life you still need to turn away from?
Pet sins?
Secret anxieties?
Areas you flirt with disobedience?
How might God spur you on to greater intentionality and authentic obedience in your life?
Step 1) Baptism
Scripture calls each one of us to be baptized. If you haven’t been baptized, or if you have never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, send me an email, I’d love to start that conversation.
Step 2) Remember Our Baptism
We are then called to remember our baptism for those of us who have been baptized, either as infants or as believers. This means recognizing that our old sinful nature no longer controls us but is lovingly led and empowered by Jesus, our victorious Rescuer! It is not our power to change our past, but we can offer our past mistakes at Jesus’ feet and more fully experience the freedom of new life in Christ. How can you embrace more fully the new life Christ offers?
Step 3) Repentance
Finally, through repentance and baptism, we are promised that we can freely receive the Holy Spirit into our lives. Have you embraced the presence of the Spirit fully in your life? Or are you ignoring it so that you can pursue your comforts and desires?
Here are some questions to think about:
Have I seen the Spirit working in my life, bringing me to greater obedience, convicting me of sin, and leading me to acts of love for others?
Have I seen the Spirit filling my life to praise and worship Jesus and God the Father freely?
Have I seen the Spirit empowering me with courage and boldness, overcoming my fear, and giving me a desire to risk my reputation, time, money, and comfort to share His Gospel?
TL;DR
Pentecost was originally an annual large feast and festival held 50 days after Passover. It was also a time when faithful Jews from around the region would travel to Jerusalem.
The Holy Spirit entered the world through a violent wind and what appeared to be tongues of fire.
On Pentecost, Peter proclaims the gospel of Jesus to the crowds that gathered and more than 3,000 people were baptized.
How might God spur you on to greater intentionality and authentic obedience in your life?
Baptism
Remember your baptism
Repentance
Related Reading
Why Should I Read the Bible by Bro. Chris Carter
How to Understand the Old Testament by Grant Caldwell
Science vs. Christianity: Can They Coexist? by William Merriman
About Christ Church Memphis
Christ Church Memphis is church in East Memphis, Tennessee. For more than 65 years, Christ Church has served the Memphis community. Every weekend, there are multiple worship opportunities including traditional, contemporary and blended services