Mar 4, 2018 Preaching | Ptr. Richard Schlitt
The Holy Spirit Comes At Pentecost
50 days after Passover, the Jews came back to Jerusalem for Feast of weeks (Shavuot /Pentecost). It was typically a time to commemorate the giving of the Torah to the Jews. But this particular year was more special as the apostles, along with the Jews witnessed an extraordinary event. The spirit came upon the apostles, with tongues of fire on each of them and they began to speak in many languages.
Peter’s Explanation
Peter explained what had happened by going back to old testament scripture that Jews were very familiar with:
- Joel’s Prophecy: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:28-32)
Peter explained to the Jews there that what they just witnessed was the Spirit of God, as was promised to the prophet Joel. This spirit will not just be given to some, not just the Peter and the rest of the apostles, but to all who believe and call on the name of the Lord. In God’s plan and foreknowledge, God used wicked men to fulfil his purpose by allowing Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf, yet raising Him from the dead 3 days later. The same is still true today. God continues to use and allow evil to happen but only so that in the end, his will and purpose may still be fulfilled.
2. David’s Prophecy: “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” (Psalm 16)
Peter points to the fact that David is indeed dead and still in his grave. But Peter also clarifies that as a prophet, David was referring to Jesus, the son of God, who was going to die, but whose body will not see decay as He is resurrected by God. Jesus death and especially His resurrection was a fulfilment of David’s prophecy. Peter made sure that the Jews understood that the same Jesus they crucified was the Lord and Messiah promised through the prophets. Through the words of the prophet Joel and David, Peter established that Jesus death, even through wicked men, was part of God’s plan.
Peter’s Call For Repentance
Upon realizing who Jesus what and what they had done, the Jews were at a loss as to what to do. Peter replied to them saying, “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.” (v38-39) Repentance is necessary before we can declare our allegiance to Jesus through baptism. Every person who believes and repents will receive God’s forgiveness and along with it, also receive the Holy Spirit. It is for all. It may not be manifested in the same way as the tongues of fires on the apostles but each one will be given the Holy Spirit. The necessary manifestation should be the evidence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Fellowship of Believers
At Peter’s call for repentance, 3000 came to Christ that day. This was the beginning of the early church. The early church was a fellowship of believers who devoted themselves to 4 key things: to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (v42). Apart from that, there was also genuine care and concern for every member of the fellowship.