Virtually all the members of the church of Christ realize that something very important happened at Pentecost. How­ever, to explain what the importance of this event is, is a different matter. Although the birth of Christ was a miracle, as was His resurrection, we do have some understanding of what happened. But, Pentecost seems especially mysterious! The Spirit also operated in Old Testament times. David asks that the Holy Spirit may not be taken away from him (Psalm 51). The writer of Psalm 104 speaks of the work of the Spirit in a wider sense when he says

Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, and they are created; and thou renewest the face of the ground.Psalm 104:30

What, then happened on the day of Pentecost?

It is difficult to use an example or an illustration to make it clear. In his book: The Work of the Holy Spirit, Abraham Kuyper uses this illustration:

The rain descends from heaven and man gathers it to quench his thirst. When house­holders collect it each in his own cistern, it comes down for every family separately; but when, as in modern city life, every house is supplied from the city reservoir, by means of mains and waterpipes, there is no more need of pumps and private cisterns. Suppose that a city whose citizens for ages have been drinking each from his own cistern proposes to construct a reservoir that will supply every home. When the work is completed the water is allowed to run through the system of mains and pipes into every house. It might then be said that on that day the water was poured out into the city. Hitherto it fell upon every man's roof; now it streams through the organized system into every man's house (Page 123).

This illustration may be as good as any, but it still does not do justice to that which took place on this day.

This rather long chapter may easily be divided into three parts. In the first part the event of Pentecost is made known; in the second the discourse of Peter explains what has taken place; and in the third the reaction to this happening is reported.

The Event⤒🔗

Because of the wealth of material in this chapter, I will mention only a few things concerning the event of Pentecost. The word itself means fiftieth. It was the Thanksgiving Day of the Jews. Because this was the feast of harvest there were many people from all the then known world in Jerusalem. Regardless where they had settled, they would like to be back in the holy city at the time of the feasts. Consult a map to see where the people had come from.

Suddenly strange things happen! There was the sound as a mighty wind. There were tongues as of fire on each of them. The symbolism is clear. The Spirit is often likened to wind. The Spirit is a fire. Now the believers begin to speak other languages. The people who had come from various parts of the world heard them speaking in the languages in which they had been born. No doubt the older ones were also able to understand Hebrew or Aramaic, but their every­day language was of another kind. Their children and young people perhaps knew little Hebrew or Aramaic. In other words, they do not hear languages which are unknown or gibberish, but languages and dialects with which they are so well acquainted. Nor is the speaking of these other languages done for the purpose of introducing something dif­ferent; they are speaking of the mighty works of God! That is the important thing concerning the speaking in tongues on Pentecost.

What does it all mean? Something tremendously impor­tant is taking place, but what is it? Vs. 4 makes it clear that the tongue-speaking was the result of the Spirit giving them utterance. They are all unlearned men. They have not learned these languages in which they are now speaking. The peo­ple are amazed and perplexed about what they are seeing, but there are always some who have a mocking answer. These suggest that these believers are filled with new wine!

The Bible Explanation←⤒🔗

Now follows the discourse of Peter. He first explains what has taken place and then proclaims Jesus. Luke emphasizes the fact that Peter now speaks boldly and clearly and demands the attention of all the people within the sound of his voice. This is already a fruit of what has taken place this morning. Peter had been struck with fear before and this was one of the reasons for his terrible conduct the night Jesus had been taken.

First of all, let it be clear that these people are not drunk. It is only 9:00 in the morning. Besides, the pious Jews did not eat and surely did not take strong drink before the first prayer and sacrifice of the day. They had better not mock the things which have happened because what has happened is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32). If they have any respect for holy things they must listen to what Peter has to say. The Spirit has suddenly made him an ex­egete! He understands things which he has never understood before. Joel had talked about this great day of the outpour­ing of the Spirit of God. That Spirit will come on men and women, on old and young. That Spirit will open eyes and open hearts. The prophecy refers to "the last days." Let everyone know that the outpouring of the Spirit is "the last event" which will occur before the Lord will return. In other words, the day of Pentecost ushers in the final dispensation! Later the Apostles will remind us again and again that we are in the last days. By this they do not always mean that the return of Jesus will be soon, but that we are living in the last days of the gospel age! Therefore, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Salvation has been completed.

Now Peter proclaims Jesus Christ. Of course, Pentecost can never be separated from the work and Person of Jesus. He first refers to the great works which had been accomp­lished by the Christ while He was on earth. His hearers know them! He was approved of God — they cannot maintain the falsehood that He had done any evil. Then the Apostle speaks of something which men have usually considered to be very difficult. Christ was delivered up "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God!" Don't forget that! God was in control. This was the only way salvation would come to pass. But, "You killed Him!" They are responsible. Do not let them hide behind the excuse that the Romans actually did the killing! You, Jews, killed Him! This is made clear to them in order that they realize their guilt. The fact that they were thereby carrying out the counsel and the will of God does not leave them blameless concerning the deed. Although they have carried out God's plan (unknowingly), they are responsible for and guilty of their action.

This Jesus whom they had crucified was the same One whom God raised from the dead. Death could not hold Him. The original points in the direction that this death had to give way to a resurrection which is looked on as being a new birth. Then the Apostle again begins to interpret the Old Testa­ment for them. Psalm 16 now receives his attention. The whole Bible is beginning to live! He sees prophecies con­cerning the Christ in many places. David had rejoiced in restoration. He cannot see himself in the realm of the dead. Yet, David is not speaking of himself alone. David was buried and his grave is there for everyone to see (Nehemiah 3:16). David was held by the grave and he also saw corrup­tion. But, the grave of Jesus is only two months old and it is EMPTY! God did not allow His Son to remain in the grave but raised Him up and we are all witnesses of it!

Not only has Jesus been resurrected from the dead but God has exalted Him to sit at His right hand. Being at the right hand of God (which is either a place for the accuser Zechariah 3, or the place of honor) this Jesus has poured out the Spirit — that which they now see and hear. The Father had promised Him this and He always keeps His promises.

Psalm 110 is now interpreted. David did not ascend into heaven, nor did he receive the place at God's right hand. David speaks in this Psalm of those things which "the Lord said to my Lord." Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 110. The Scriptures are really beginning to open up. Let the people remember that they crucified the One whom God made Lord and Christ!

The Reaction←⤒🔗

This was the first post-pentecostal sermon. What power it had! The people are "pricked in their hearts" by a con­sciousness of sin. Jesus had said that when the Spirit came He would "convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). No one knows himself a sinner unless the Spirit makes it clear. This is also the first thing a man must know (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 2). Then the question is: What shall we do? Spirit filled preaching has these results. I doubt that many said to Peter: "That was a nice sermon!"

There is a clear answer to the question: "What shall we do?" The Apostle tells them that they are to repent. Their sins have been unmasked. Now let them show the proper attitude to the sins they have committed. Both John the Bap­tist and Jesus began their ministries with the same requirement. Let them seek baptism for the remission of sins. This does not teach that baptism itself removes sins, but that the baptism is a witness to the fact that sins have been forgiven. It is noteworthy that Peter speaks of being baptized into the name of Jesus Christ. Isn't this strange? Into whose name did John the Baptist baptize? Although much has been writ­ten about this statement, I believe that it is merely a short form of the institutional form of baptism used by Jesus when He sends the apostles out into the world with the great com­mission. Those who respond will receive the gift of the Spirit. The promise contained in baptism is for them and their children and for all whom the Lord may add to the church. This teaching of Peter was most effective. In that one day 3,000 were added — many more than in the three and a half years of the ministry of Jesus.

The life of the early church will be described more fully later. Here the writer only mentions that a fear fell upon all, seemingly because the Apostles were wielding the power of Jesus Christ. They sought one another's company. They had all things common. They even sold their possessions to minister to the needs of others. This was no "Christian com­munism," as some have said. It was the opposite. Nor did it continue. Only a few years later the Apostle Paul must take up collections in all the new churches to help the poor at Jerusalem. Even Acts 6 already speaks of the material needs of many. They were together in the temple. They broke bread at home and took their food with gladness. The words do not indicate more than common eating but the emphasis on such a common thing almost makes one wonder whether it did not approach the taking of the Lord's Supper together. They had favor with the people — this is surprising. Usually His people have been mistreated. Every day new members were added to the number of believers.

Pentecost was exciting, accomplished great things, and promised more.

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. Was the speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost dif­ferent from the speaking in tongues we find in various places today? How? Why?
    
2. When the people spoke of the mighty deeds of God in various tongues, does this indicate that tongue-speaking is not something which exists for itself?
    
3. What gives Peter such an insight into the Old Testament Scriptures? Is he correct in his interpretation? Give reasons for your answer.
    
4. How can God hold the people of Israel responsible for the death of Jesus when they were only carrying out His plan? Is he anti-Semitic?
    
5. The manner in which Peter applies the words of Scrip­ture to the person and work of Christ is convincing. Why was this more convincing than when Jesus announced these same truths? Why was Peter so much more "suc­cessful" in his preaching than Jesus?
    
6. Should we have all things common? Does anyone of the Apostles ever require this?