Pentecost Sunday

What a blessing! What a reaching! What a privilege! On this day, like many other believers, we are celebrating the Feast or Festival of Pentecost. I know that many of us, if not all of us know about Pentecost. Nevertheless, just in the event that there is one, yes, just one person, who does not know or who is not too sure about what Pentecost means for him or for her, as a believer, I offer three personal, present and ever propelling facts. They are offered under these headings - The Fulfilling, The Filling, The Fuelling – each with its attendant consideration, conviction and challenge.

It is necessary however, as we are about to embark upon this mission of delving into the Feast of Pentecost that we understand a bit more about Pentecost itself. For this week we shall be drawing mainly from the KJV of the Bible.

Acts 2, begins with a very powerful and dynamic statement. It says this.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2: 1

There are many questions and queries which one may have about this verse, nevertheless, three questions have been brought to the forefront, which may help many of us to be clearer in our understanding of what is taking place. The very use of beginning this sentence, this first word of an entire Chapter with the word, “And”, suggests to us that this is a following on, a continuation, or carrying on of something.  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come. We ask: -

·         Why the use of the word, “And”?

·         What is “the Day of Pentecost”?

·         When is, “fully come?”   

We are extremely curious about the use of the little word, “and” which joins a whole host of events in Chapter One to Chapter Two of the Book of Acts. If we do take this little word as a conjunction, a word which takes us on, or carries us on, then what was it that went before? Before, “And” we have a whole chain of events. Refresh your memory as they are sketched out before you.

There is the Command of Jesus, for His disciples to wait, right there in Jerusalem to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. Acts 1: 4.

There is the Promise of Jesus that His disciples would receive the Holy Ghost. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1: 5

There is the Teaching of Jesus, on times and seasons of Israel’s restoration. It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Acts 1: 7b.

There is the Ascension of Jesus, when, He returned, back to the Father in heaven, from whence He first came. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1: 9

There is the Retuning of Jesus’ disciples to Jerusalem, after Jesus’ Ascension. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. Acts 1: 12

There is the Togetherness of Jesus’ disciples, in prayer and supplication in the Upper Room. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 1: 13 – 14.

There is the fulfillment of Scripture. We listen to Peter, who is very aware of the Scriptures and who wants to have them fulfilled, regarding their number. Men and brethren, this scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Acts 1: 16.

There is the replacing of another disciple of Jesus. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1: 26

Indeed, the word “and” takes us to the day of Pentecost. What is the Day of Pentecost?

We broach this, tomorrow.