Last week, we concluded our series on “The First 40 Days” following Jesus’ resurrection, culminating with His ascension into heaven. Today, we begin our new series entitled “The First 40 years” as we travel with the Apostles through the Book of Acts, focusing on the highlights of what God was doing through the Apostles. This series won’t take 40 years to complete, but it could take up to a year. Not to worry, let’s see what we can learn from Luke’s letter written from his prison cell in Caesarea to Theophilus, Paul’s defense attorney waiting for them to arrive in Rome. If you recall, Paul was scheduled to stand trial before Nero, and as Theophilus later presented Paul’s case, Paul was actually released for a short time and possibly traveled to Spain before he was taken into custody again, at which time he was martyred in AD 64 as Nero blamed all Christian leaders (and the rest of the church) for the fire that he himself set in Rome.  

The Feast of Pentecost is the first major event recorded in the Book of Acts following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. So, what is Pentecost? Pentecost is the Jewish Feast of “Ingathering,” that is, the ingathering of the spring wheat harvest, and it occurred 50 days after Passover. It is also called the Feast of Weeks. So, let’s do some math: If Jesus was crucified on Passover (Good Friday) and was in the grave for parts of 3 days; arose on Easter Sunday; and then appeared for the next 40 days to His disciples and others, that takes us up to a total of 43 days. And then 7 more days in the upper room waiting for Pentecost, brings us to a total of 50 days since Passover (Good Friday). We know that Jesus arose from the grave on Sunday, and if Jesus ascended to heaven also on a Sunday, then a week later would be Pentecost, also falling on a Sunday. We have to do a little “juggling” of parts of days, but I believe that it actually works, that is, the resurrection, the ascension, and Pentecost all fall on Sundays. Here is what Luke records from the second chapter of Acts:

And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a noise like a violent, rushing wind filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).

If you recall, just prior to His ascension, Jesus told His disciples to return to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit of come upon them. And that’s just what they were doing during the next week, simply waiting for Jesus’ promise to be fulfilled. But they weren’t just waiting – they were waiting with anticipation of what God was going to do in their midst. What a lesson for you and me during times of discouragement and confusion regarding the future – We need to learn to wait patiently, and to also wait with anticipation, trusting that God is going to do something in our lives that is both unexpected and good.

What occurred on the Day of Pentecost was a unique event that has not been repeated. It was a one-time, miraculous event involving a violent noise and rushing wind, with tongues of fire resting on each of those gathered in the upper room. So, just what were the tongues that were being distributed to each of those who had gathered? You see, devout Jews had come to Jerusalem from around the empire to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. And, as the disciples began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance, those who had gathered outside of the upper room were hearing the Good News in their own language. They heard that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, and that He had demonstrated this fact through many convincing proofs, concluding with His resurrection and subsequent ascension.  

Naturally, those who were hearing this Good News in their own tongue wondered what this miraculous event meant. And, of course, many thought that the disciples had been drinking. And that’s when Peter got up and began to speak, assuring the crowd that they were not drunk because it was only 9 o’clock in the morning.  Furthermore, what was happening was the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy in the Old Testament Book of Joel. Next week, we will take a closer look at Joel’s prophecy and his use of Apocalyptic Imagery to proclaim the message of Pentecost.

Just a quick look ahead — So what happened after Pentecost? Each of these faithful “Jews” who had come from around the Empire would soon take the message back to their home territory or region. Interestingly, Jews around the Empire were hearing about the events of Pentecost and the message of the Gospel even before the Apostle Paul arrived in their synagogues a decade later, bringing the message that Jesus is the one who fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament.  

If you are a follower of Jesus, then this same Holy Spirit has come to live within you. The Spirit was given in order to guide and empower you, and to give you comfort and hope during difficult times. This same Holy Spirit is the one who has given you one or more of the “Gifts of the Spirit,” and is the One who causes you to bear the “Fruit of the Spirit” in your life. As you can see, the Holy Spirit is alive and active in today’s church, as those who are followers of Jesus rest in His provision for all of our needs and empowers us to continue to spread the Gospel as He did in the lives of those gathered at Pentecost two thousand years ago. Let’s not “quench” the work of the Spirit in our lives, but allow Him to fill us and use us for His honor and glory.

Until next week – May God extend His blessings to each of you and fill you with His presence through the Holy Spirit whom He sent to live within us.