WELCOME THE HOLY SPIRIT

The interval between the ascension of Jesus and the Pentecost gathering

in Jerusalem provided the apostles with time and Holy guidance in making a selection for the replacement of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer. Through prayer and the process of drawing lots, the apostles welcomed Matthias as the 12th Apostle.

Pentecost is the second of the three great Jewish festivals [Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover, Pentecost or Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths]. Observed on the 50th day, or 7th week following Passover.

"The Old Testament does not give it the historical significance which later Jewish writers have ascribed to it. The Israelites were admonished to remember their bondage on that day and to reconsecrate themselves to the Lord, but it does not yet commemorate the giving of the Law at Sinai or the birth of the national existence, in the Old Testament conception (Ex 19). Philo, Josephus, and the earlier Talmud are all ignorant of this new meaning which was given to the day in later Jewish history. It originated with the great Jewish rabbi Maimonides and has been copied by Christian writers. And thus a view of the Jewish Pentecost has been originated, which is wholly foreign to the scope of the ancient institution".--{International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

All of this to say that in Jerusalem during this period of gathering, there were thousands upon thousands of people in and around the city. The Lord saw this opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ in a most incredible manner--

Act 2:1-12 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (5) Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. (6) And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. (7) They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (8) "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? (9) "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, (10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, (11) Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." (12) And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

This single day brought about a most spectacular display of the power and majesty of the Holy Spirit as not just hundreds, but thousands believed in the Gospel message and were Baptized with the indwelling Spirit of the living God. Through this supernatural gift to those who would believe on Jesus Christ as the Son of God, mouths spoke and ears heard the glory of the Gospel at the same time, same location and in the mother tongue of those who had ears to hear! I would have loved to have been a bystander witnessing this event. Just thinking about the hugeness and impact on those assembled draws the breath out of me!

In under 53 days, the world would be changed forever; Jesus Christ would be arrested, convicted, crucified, buried, then resurrected and appearing to hundreds, ascend into heaven, deliver the indwelling Holy Spirit into those so Baptized in His name, and the Church of Jesus Christ would be born and introduced to it's tender young body on this day of Pentecost.

Act 2:42-47 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (43) Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. (44) And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; (45) and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (46) Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?