The Day of Pentecost –Acts 2

  • After the destruction of Jerusalem, Jews began celebrating the Day of Pentecost as the time Moses gave the law on Mt. Sinai (Ex.20).
  • Interesting comparisons between then and the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:
    • The giving of the law on Mt. Sinai followed Passover by 50 days; the preaching of the Gospel  in Acts 2, followed Jesus’ death during the Passover Feast by 50 days.
    • On both occasions, God manifested His presence with wondrous signs.
    • When the Law was given, 3,000 people died. (Ex.32.28)
    • When the Gospel was preached, 3,000 people were saved.
    • When the Law was given, there was fear. (Ex.19.16).
    • When the Gospel was preached, there was rejoicing. (Acts 2.46).
    • The Day of Pentecost was called “the day of first fruits”; In Acts 2 we have the spiritual first fruits when the church was established and nations flowed into it.
    • There was an approximate 50 day waiting period between the end of Egyptian slavery and the giving of the Law in Exodus, and the 50 day waiting period between the end of the old Covenant (when Jesus died…Col.2.14) and the revelation of the New Covenant in Acts 2.
    • When God gave the 10 Commandments, the earth shook, thunder rolled, lightening flashed, and smoke poured forth (Ex.19.18).
    • When God instigated His new covenant with man, He again captured attention with His mighty power—with the sound of wind, a symbol (fire), and a sign (speaking in tongues).

Applications:

  • Which of the listeners on the Day of Pentecost typifies us:
    • Those who marveled or those who mocked?
    • Your attitude toward the Word will affect your eternal destiny?
  • Peter preached that:
    • Jesus is the Christ (2.22-36)
    • What happens after death (2.27)
    • Repentance (Acts 2.38)
      • Godly sorrow for sin…Repentance…Change of life
      • Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ (Lifetime commitment to) Acts 2.38
      • Baptism for the forgiveness of sins (2.38)
        • For (eis) forgiveness of sins.
        • See Matt. 26.28) Jesus did not die “because our sins were already forgiven but “in order that” our sins could be forgiven.
        • Eis: in order that not because of!
        • Eis (Greek) is the same word in Mt. 26.28 and in Acts 2 for the word FOR.
        • Some say we are baptized “because our sins have already been forgiven” that it is an outward show of an inward conversion.
      • The saved are added to the church by God Himself (2.41, 47).
        • The church is the body of the saved
        • One can be saved and not be a part of any denomination but one cannot be saved and not be a part of the Lord’s church.
        • We do not “join” the church rather the Lord “adds” us to the church
        • When a person “joins” any organization he “earns” the right to be part of that organization; an individual cannot “earn” the right to join Christ’s church.
          • Note difference between the universal church and the local church.
  • The Early Christians were Devoted to Worship (2.42)
    • Fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer continually
  • They Met together (2.46)
    • Early Christians would have thought that the question about meeting Wednesday evenings or Sunday evenings was ridiculous. They met daily with fellow Christians!