Peter proclaimed the urgency of the last days on the day of Pentecost, quoting the prophet Joel. ‘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, and your old men will dream dreams. I will also pour …
Peter explained the curious scene of uneducated men speaking in languages they never learned by saying this was prophecy fulfilled. If a crowd asked me to explain why my friends and I were acting drunkenly, I don’t think I would use Scripture. But Peter was beginning to understand that this was the Spirit that Jesus …
Misunderstanding the moves of God on Pentecost came from viewing them through the lens of sin. Sin always clouds God’s works. Devout Jews from many nations were in Jerusalem when a loud noise drew a crowd together. They were amazed and bewildered to hear the believers from Galilee speaking in their own native languages. People …
Being a witness to what God has done was the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s effects on believers on Pentecost and part of the transition of the early church. Although many associate Pentecost solely with the New Testament era, its origins are in the Old Testament. Specifically Leviticus 23, where God established the seven biblical …
The Holy Spirit helped move the disciples from fearful to bold. At the Last Supper, Jesus had predicted that all the disciples would desert Him. Peter responded by declaring that He never would, and the other disciples vowed the same. (Mat. 26:31-15). At Jesus’ arrest, all the disciples scattered. Peter followed Jesus to the courtyard …
In the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit goes from an external presence to internal power. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came selectively, often only temporarily, upon God’s people. Some examples of this are: God sent the Spirit for a specific purpose for a specific time. Jesus Promised the Spirit John …
Unity in transition is the miracle unfolding after Jesus’ ascension, in which believers find themselves between promise and fulfillment, waiting yet together. Acts 2:1On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place.[1] Before the sound of the wind filled the house and before flames of fire rested on their heads, …
After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were living between promise and return. They watched Jesus ascend and disappear into the clouds. It seems they were stunned into inaction. Acts 1: 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here …
Even though Jesus returned to heaven, He is still the King who still leads. Luke tells us where Jesus ascended and that He blessed the disciples as He left. Luke 24: 50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and …
Just before ascending back to heaven, Jesus gave His followers a mission. They were called to go and tell the Gospel. Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends …