The Birth of the Church

Pentecost was one of three major festivals of the Jewish experience. The other two were the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. Pentecost is the Greek word for “fifty” and it feel fifty days after the Passover Sabbath.

Pentecost is also known as the “Feast of Weeks”.

First fruit of the wheat harvest

Day of first fruits

They brought the first fruits of their harvest as a thanksgiving and anticipating that God would bless the rest of the harvest.

It is significant that this day was the first fruits of the church also.

• The coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)
  • They were probably all at the temple
  • They were filled with the Holy Spirit
    • The term suggests that they were engaged in it and influenced by the Holy Spirit
  • This was a time when people came from afar to the feast of celebration (Acts 2:5)
    • Two manifestations
      • Wind – a sound which drew attention
      • Fire – drew visual attention
    • The word “tongues” translated here is the normal word for known languages. They were speaking known languages to the people from the diverse areas, in order that one could understand the message  no matter their native language. This was a special ability given by the Holy Spirit.
• The response of the crowd (Acts 2:5-13)
  • Amazement (Acts 2:6-12)
    • They were amazed because everyone understood
    • God brought this about for the rapid spread of the message and to prevent misunderstanding
  • Mockery (Acts 2:13)
• Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:14-40)
  • He addresses their accusations (Acts 2:16-21)
    • It is a fulfilled promise (Joel 2:28-32)
      • “Last days” refers to a future time (Acts 2:17)
      • When used in conjunction with Christ’s Coming, it refers to the end of this world’s age
      • Sun turned to darkness – sunlight referred to prosperity, darkness would suggest calamity
      • Moon to blood – turning of the color of the moon to a darker shade is suggestive of some calamity, such as when smoke fills the air and gives the moon a red hue
  • He addressed their action against Jesus (Acts 2:22-36)
    • He was approved by God (Acts 2:22)
    • God’s purpose was being fulfilled (Acts 2:23)
    • Attest to His resurrection (Acts 2:24)
    • David looked forward to Jesus’ Coming (Acts 2:25-28)
    • The contrast between David and Christ (Acts 2:29-36)
  • Brings conviction of sin (Acts 2:36-47)
    • Conviction calls for action (Acts 2:38)
      • Repent and be baptized
      • Produces forgiveness of sin
      • Results in action of learning and fellowship (Acts 2:42)