Tag: pentecost

πεντηκοστή

Pentecost = “the fiftieth day”

the second of the three great Jewish feasts, celebrated at Jerusalem yearly, the seventh week after the Passover, in grateful recognition of the completed harvest

source

Deuteronomy 16:

9 Shivah shavu’ot (seven weeks) shalt thou number unto thee; begin to number the shivah shavu’ot from such time as thou begin to put the sickle to the standing crop.

10 And thou shalt observe Chag Shavuos unto Hashem Eloheicha by giving a terumah (freewill offering) of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto Hashem Eloheicha, according as Hashem Eloheicha hath blessed thee:

Acts 1:

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.

From Palm Sunday to Pentecost
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No, your not looking at the wrong picture. 
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NEXT – Pentecost 2025 of the Common Era
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Doesn't Holy Week from Palm Sunday to EASTER look about the same every year? 
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I wrote a SERIES for Lent last year too — which of course culminated with Easter Sunday.

King for a Common Era Holy Week – 1
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Check it out (from Easter, 2024) if you'd like. 
SON-MAN RISEN! 
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And my LATEST POSTS in 2025 CE reflect an OLD TESTEMENT approach to LENT, also concluding with a look at Resurrection Sunday.

Our focus for EASTER 2025 CE has been from the Gospel of John (just before your familiar memorized verse).

Gospel of John 3:14 ESV

Lifted up + Earthly things you do not believe

But what did JESUS do next?

IF you have READ my 2025 CE EASTER post (above), then you may realize that the GOSPEL — in John’s case — has been preached for a number of years.

~ A.D. 85 – the Gospel of APOSTLE JOHN

Do the math and you will easily see that since Christ rose from death sometime around AD 30-33 according to most historical estimates, then EASTER had been celebrated by saints of The Way for OVER 50 YEARS by the time the Apostle recorded:
- his Gospel,
- three epistles to the Church and
- the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John!
  - – with specific mention of the witness of saints of seven churches as examples to us.
To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs,

appearing to them over a period of forty days

and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Acts of the Apostles 1:3 NASB95

φανερόω – JESUS Manifested

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way:

.. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Gospel of John 21:1 ,14 CSB

The Apostle Peter writes:

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.

1 Peter 1:20 CSB

And last of all — as to the untimely birth — he appeared also to me, writes the Apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 15:8 YLT
- JESUS’ historical crucifixion on a Roman cross is an undisputable fact.
- Christ’s resurrection after three days — in His recognizable resurrection body, with the wounds of the Cross –– and in the very Spirit of the same JESUS of Nazareth — the Son of Man known personally to hundreds of disciples and thousands of first century witnesses — is true and verifiable fact REJECTED by those who also deny the One Living God of all creation and all of its created.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

..but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Gospel of John 17a,18b CSB

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Gospel of John 3:14-15 CSB

Lifted up + Earthly things you do not believe

Father, Son and Pentecost

John closes his proclamation and witness of Apostolic Good News:

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his {Jesus’] testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the [scrolls] that would be written.

Gospel of John 21:24-25 CSB

JESUS also said,

“..The one who has seen me has seen the Father.

AND as you know from our 2025 Easter post, the Lord challenged Nicodemus:

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

Now through the testimony of both Peter and John recorded by Luke in Acts of the Apostles we will glance at the Trinity and introduction of the Spirit on Pentecost ~AD 33.

40 days, and then Pentecost

And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

.. they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

[Two angels instructed the Eleven]

..” This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Excerpt from ACTS of the Apostles 1 BSB
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Are you who do not believe intimidated by that? 

Perhaps you should believe in the Lord Christ Jesus, who will return finally for the Judgment. 
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The Holy Spirit at Pentecost –
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The following from Bible Hub Book Summary of ACTS 2: 

Please consider its Gospel application in your own brief mortal life. - RH 
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Acts 2 is a powerful chapter that introduces the Holy Spirit’s dynamic presence in the lives of believers and demonstrates the transformation it brings. The followers of Jesus move from being a fearful, waiting group to a bold, active community witnessing for Christ. The chapter underscores the compelling power of the Gospel message and the magnetic draw of a loving, unified, and Spirit-led community. This chapter serves as a timeless model for the Church, inspiring us to be led by the Spirit, devoted to God’s Word, committed to fellowship, and actively involved in meeting the needs of those around us.

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples are together when a sound like a violent wind fills the house, and they see what seems to be tongues of fire that separate and rest on each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they start to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enables them. A diverse crowd gathers, bewildered because each person hears their native language spoken. Some are amazed and wonder what it means, while others mock the disciples, suggesting they are drunk.

https://biblehub.com/bsb/acts/2.htm

πεντηκοστή – Pentecost = “the fiftieth day”

WE love festivals, don’t we? Pentecost was another festival that brought the Jews to Jerusalem a little over a month after the Passover feast.
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more... 
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- ~ AD 33
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.

ACTS of the Apostles 2:1 CSB
- ~ AD 55
Paul writes to the Corinthians,

“But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
- ~ AD 57
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost.

Acts of the Apostles 20:16 CSB

Sailing Home on the Aegean

The CHURCHES and their saints in every place have become dear to the Apostles — including Paul.

But for those early years after the RESURRECTION of the Lord Jesus Christ +++ Pentecost continued to provide evidence and witness of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Twenty years after Christ’s ascension now — twenty years after the first signs of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on Pentecost — and during the remaining years of the mortal lives of the Apostles PENTECOST provided the saints of The Way a gospel witness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — who will come again in GLORY at the last Day.

What’s NEXT in our witness to the world in 2025 CE?
- Lord-willing, in MAY 2025 TalkofJESUS series from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians will continue.
  - (We will not continue in Paul’s second letter.)
Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians – Featured Series
- 2025 CE Summer TOPICAL SERIES to be announced
- August 2025 – some personal updates from Roger Harned, our author and moderator of TalkofJESUS.com
- AND, of course, more DOCTRINE for your discernment
  - & SCRIPTURE as written with secure links to our sources from better theologians than me.
Talk of JESUS .com

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel

(You who believe)
April 30, 2025
a brief Epistle from Paul to Ephesus
ACTS 20 – a farewell meeting

We have recently been reading some of Paul’s early letters to churches. Now the Apostle sends a brief Epistle to Ephesus to set up a parting embrace with the leaders of the Ephesian Church before the apostles sail toward home.
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Previously we learned that an epistle is not simply a letter from Apostles but from any authority to others. In Acts 15 we examined one sent from the Council in Jerusalem to several churches.
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Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20

The apostles send several epistles to churches throughout the MISSIONS of PAUL and others.

Ephesus to Assos – by land and by sea

But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for so he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land [on foot].
Acts 20:13 LSB – the apostles depart Ephesus

Picture the Apostle Paul after having been personally involved in the resurrection of a young man in Troas. He journeys on foot no doubt considering this miracle and the Lord’s will for his next destination.
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Their route on a Roman ship would have been ~42 nautical miles along the coastline while Paul's overland hike was about 28 miles.
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Once arriving in Assos Paul probably sends a message to the leaders in Ephesus where the Apostle had been so instrumental in leading the Church. His messenger may have set sail separately to Ephesus with an Epistle.

14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.

15 And sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios;

and the next day we crossed over to Samos;

and the day following we came to Miletus.

and the day following we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Acts of the Apostles 20:15b-16 LSB – Luke records that the return of the apostles sent out on Paul’s third missionary journey will bypass Ephesus on their way home.

What’s the hurry to worship in Jerusalem?

Paul’s earlier hike to Assos following the time of the miraculous events at Troas would have given the Apostle time to consider his witness of the risen Christ twenty years ago.

In Jerusalem Paul would have met MANY witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.

AND Paul would have met those present seven years before Christ appeared to him who along with the Apostles had received the Holy Spirit in an upper room on Pentecost.

What’s the occasion? Festival of Weeks + Pentecost

ALL had been sent out into all the world by the Spirit. What would be next for each of these witnesses of the risen CHRIST JESUS?

Hurrying home for Pentecost

~A.D. 57 Paul and the apostles to the gentiles have already traveled almost 2000 miles to this point in their 2700 mile THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

They still have over 700 miles (as the crow flies) to reach Jerusalem AND with several stops in ports along the way of their voyage back to Jerusalem.

A meeting in Miletus

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
Acts of the Apostles 20:17 LSB – Paul commands the Ephesian elders to come to him in Miletus

NEXT in Acts 20:

The Apostle recalls their shared witness of Christ in Ephesus and commands the Ephesian Church to be watchful.

Comment on Scripture + Share the Gospel
March 12, 2024
The Heart-piercing POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT!
The POWER of the Holy Spirit in ACTS

What have we observed most in Luke’s early accounts of Acts?

Clearly, the further power of the Holy Spirit, which Luke also notes in his Gospel as having descended on Jesus.

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased… And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil.
Gospel of Luke on the Holy Ghost 3:33, 4:1-2b KJV
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"Holy" AND "Spirit"
occurs 111 times in 53 verses in your custom selection ' in 'Luke-Acts'' in the NASB20.
Source: BlueLetterBible.org
READ ALL fifty-three verses recorded by Luke and you will be convinced not only of the Trinity, but also of the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT of the Lord God.
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https://talkofjesus.com/acts-of-the-holy-spirit/

ACTS 1 opens with Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Spirit.

Acts of ALL with one accord

Before Jesus ascends to the Father, He commands the Apostles to WAIT for the power of the Holy Spirit

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost – a narrative of the fifty days fulfilled

On the day of Pentecost the crowds in Jerusalem witness with wonder the AWESOME power of the Holy Spirit!

Although the HEADING for ACTS 2 in one of my Bibles refers to The Coming of the Holy Spirit, from the next HEADING, Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost, we learn of the convicting POWER of the Holy Spirit in Peter’s words.

Miracles, Wonders & Signs: Peter’s Amazing Answer

NOW, we will look to the POWER of the Holy Spirit to pierce the hearts of Peter’s audience.

‘I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND‘

“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
ACTS 2:32 NKJV

ACTS 2 – Peter’s Sermon continues

Lord and Christ

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:36 NKJV

A pall of silence most likely falls upon many in the massive crowd listening to Peter as he stands with all the Apostles and preaches Christ crucified and risen from the power of death.

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart,
and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
“Brothers, what are we to do?”
Acts 2:37 NASB

J.B. Phillips paraphrases this passage following Luke’s account of Peter’s sermon:

When they heard this they were cut to the quick, and they cried to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and fellow-Jews, what shall we do now?”

They were ‘cut to the quick,’ ‘pierced to the heart.’

Sounds painful, reminding us of reference to Jesus’ gruesome crucifixion on a Cross preceding the previous Passover ‘festival’ of the Jews.

Yet one of the soldiers pierced His [Jesus‘] side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Gospel of John 19:34

Perhaps some of these Jews hearing Peter’s sermon were sadly present during the storm of Jesus’ death and the piercing of His side with a Roman spear.

The Prophet Isaiah had said (as the Jews well knew):

But He was pierced for our offenses,
He was crushed for our wrongdoings;
The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him,
And by His wounds we are healed.
וְהוּא מְחֹלָל מִפְּשָׁעֵנוּ מְדֻכָּא מֵעֲוֹנֹתֵינוּ מוּסַר שְׁלֹומֵנוּ עָלָיו וּבַחֲבֻרָתֹו נִרְפָּא־לָֽנוּ׃
Yeshaiya (Isaiah) 53:5 NASB20 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

Luke uses a word for ‘pierced‘ which implies ‘wounded in conscience,’ a conviction of the power of the Holy Spirit in Peter’s preaching from the word of God which the crowds in Jerusalem knew well. Later, the letter written to the Hebrews reminds the faithful:

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NASB20

YES, Peter’s sermon pierces their hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit.

HOLY SPIRIT POWER

Because the HOLY SPIRIT is so important to Luke’s continuing account in Acts of the Apostles, before we proceed with Peter’s brief answer I would like to quote the powerful nineteenth century English preacher, Charles Spurgeon.

The Power of the Holy Ghost

Charles Haddon Spurgeon June 17, 1855 Scripture: Romans 15:13 From: New Park Street Pulpit Volume 1

Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Please note Spurgeon’s brief outline about the Third Person of the Trinity.

One. Comforter

When Christ was on earth, He must have been the consolation of all those who were privileged to be His companions.
Spurgeon – Holy Spirit Power opening paragraph

This certainly would include Peter and the eleven now at his side on Pentecost – RH

In speaking of the Resurrection, from John 16 & 14, Spurgeon relates:

He would not leave those few poor sheep alone in the wilderness. He would not desert His children and leave them fatherless. Before He left, He gave soothing words of comfort.
Spurgeon then goes on to introduce the paraclete or comforter

Jesus had told them that the Father would give them ‘another comforter‘ [helper or advocate] to be with them forever.

Peter, our Pentecost preacher today, certainly felt this comfort once Jesus asked him if he loved Him AFTER the Lord once again appeared to them. Jesus commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, with His Power to convict.

First, God the Holy Spirit is our very loving Comforter.
C.S. Spurgeon

Two: THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
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Our focus for Peter's Pentecost Sermon response
Quoting Spurgeon Chapter 2, pg. 27
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All power is the special and peculiar prerogative of God and God alone.

(Quoting Psalm 62:11 KJV)

God is God, and power belongs to Him alone.

He delegates a portion of His power to His creatures, yet it is still His. (Quoting Psalm 19:4-5)
C.S. Spurgeon – Holy Spirit Power
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Just take this in for a moment .. before we return to the crowds converted by Peter's Pentecost Sermon. - RH
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Spurgeon goes on to explain three ways he will look at the Power of the Holy Spirit.
1. The outward and visible displays of it,
2. the inward and spiritual manifestations of it,
3. and the future and expected works of it.
Three: THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE GREAT TEACHER
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We will not get there today as we observe the crowds of Pentecost, but the teaching of the Apostles will become immediately evident as the church grows throughout Acts.

To READ HOLY SPIRIT POWER click here to order.
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Repent!

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:37b NKJV

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is for you and for your children,
and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:38-39 CSB

IT’S AN AMAZING PROMISE!

But this is not the promise of Peter, nor is it an appeal to those who have NOT ASKED ‘What shall we do?’

Peter’s promise of the Holy Spirit is from the Holy Spirit Himself.

Next: We will see evidence of the Spirit growing the Church from the moment of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost.
October 15, 2021