When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4, NKJV)
It was an eventful day in the city of Jerusalem. The Jews were observing the Feast of Weeks (also called Feast of Harvest), which was celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. The Greek word for this festival was Pentecost.
That same day in an upper room across the city, the followers of Jesus waited and prayed. Ten days earlier, just before Jesus ascended up into heaven, He gave a promise to those gathered there.
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49, NKJV)
“. . . He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5, NKJV)
His followers returned to Jerusalem “with great joy” and spent the following days “continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (verses 52-53). On the Day of Pentecost, their wait was over. At 9:00 AM that morning, the Spirit descended on all those gathered in the upper room, just as Jesus had promised.
Because of the feast days, Jerusalem was filled with visitors from many lands. Soon a multitude gathered to see the strange happenings, amazed at what they were seeing and hearing. Peter began to preach, and as their hearts were pierced by his words, the listeners asked, “What shall we do?” Peter quickly explained God’s plan for salvation.
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NKJV)
That day 3,000 more were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. What a time of rejoicing that must have been! And that was just the beginning. The church grew in greater numbers each day as more and more believed.
Throughout this past week we have looked at some of our favorite passages in the Bible. Most included special promises from the Lord for His people. To me, today’s passages in Luke and Acts speak of the greatest promise of all—God’s promise to fill us with His Spirit.
Some do not realize that what happened in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost is still happening around the world today. The experience wasn’t only for the early Christians. Millions have received this same experience.
Peter told the multitude listening that day:
“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39, NKJV)
In other words, this is a promise that everyone—including you and me—can claim today.
Lord, we thank You for the many promises You have given us in Your Word—promises of protection, provision, healing, strength, deliverance, and so much more. Most of all, we thank You for the knowledge that You died in our place and Your blood covers our sins. Thank You for filling us with Your Spirit and making us a new creation in Christ.
Thanks to all those who shared favorite verses of Scripture with us this week. Isn’t God’s Word amazing!
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