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 …
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, …
God had told Moses to observe Pentecost from generation to generation. This is an ancient celebration, although most 21st-century Christians think Pentecost is a New Testament celebration. Leviticus 23: 20 “The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the Lord, together with the loaves representing the first of your crops. These offerings, …
Three times a year, Jerusalem filled with people as they came to celebrate the three main festivals. These were Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Festival of Shelters (fall Festival). God had commanded that His people meet at the Temple to celebrate these festivals. Deuteronomy 16: 16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three …
We see a surprising and an unusual offering requirement in the Festival of Weeks. God asks for two loaves made of the flour from the new crop of wheat and made with yeast. In addition to these loaves, He also requires multiple burnt offerings, a sin offering, and a peace offering. Leviticus 23:17 From wherever you …
The fourth holy day of Leviticus 23 is known as the Festival of Weeks, Shavuot, or Pentecost. Why so many confusing names? It depends on the language. The English translation would be the Festival of Weeks, while the Hebrew word for weeks is Shavuot. Later, this holiday was known as Pentecost in Greek. This was …