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
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.
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.
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.
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].
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.
Their route on a Roman ship would have been ~42 nautical miles along the coastline while Paul's overland hike was about 28 miles.
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 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.
"Holy" AND "Spirit"
occurs 111 times in 53 verses in your custom selection ' in 'Luke-Acts'' in the NASB20.
Source: BlueLetterBible.orgREAD 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.
https://talkofjesus.com/acts-of-the-holy-spirit/
ACTS 1 opens with Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Spirit.
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.
“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?”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Just take this in for a moment .. before we return to the crowds converted by Peter's Pentecost Sermon. - RH
Spurgeon goes on to explain three ways he will look at the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The outward and visible displays of it,
the inward and spiritual manifestations of it,
and the future and expected works of it.
Three: THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE GREAT TEACHER
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.
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.”
How does the anointed follower of Jesus Christ answer the unanswerable questions from the multitudes? Luke records not only the truly awesome events of Pentecost and bewilderment by the crowds, but also the Apostle Simon Peter’s amazing answer to thousands gathered in Jerusalem.
Previously: We witnessed the Holy Ghost in a crowded upper room.
(I spoke last time how we might more appropriately [from the KJV] view the Holy Ghost and cloven tongues like as of fire lighting on each one.)
One hundred together as one in prayer in the upper room in Jerusalem receive the Holy Spirit!
We now join the Twelve as they move on into the crowds on the busy streets of Jerusalem and multitudes in the Temple.
Acts of Perplexed Jerusalem Crowds on Pentecost
Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.
Acts of the Apostles 2:5 NASB
(Not so different from the crowds of a single Sunday of a 21st century Christmas or Easter festival, is it?)
NOTE on Population of Jerusalem [~80,000, possibly swelling above 100,000 during the three festival weeks]
- Jewish historian Josephus, who would know because he had lived there during the 60s AD, estimated the number of Pharisees alone to be 6,000 (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 17.42) -* recommended source
Amazed and Astonished
Image an extended and formal debate between two devout religious officials (perhaps a Pharisee and and Sadducee) wondering how Simon Peter and these other lowly uneducated followers of Jesus from ‘up north’ could possibly speak to others in another language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,
Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:7 KJV
Of course earlier Luke showed us debate with Jesus by perhaps some of the same ‘devout men’ who some attend these very public festivals just for the wine, prestige or public parties.
They were amazed (beside ones self to explain it, as I pointed out last time) and astonished G2296)].
This is the same reaction of Peter and others to the risen Christ, which Luke records in his first account.
And when He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While they [the Apostles] still could not believe it because of their joy and astonishment G2296, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
Gospel of Luke 24:40-41 NASB20 – Strong’s G2296 – thaumazō
Luke describes the reaction of these men on Pentecost with this same adjective which John employs for an earlier debate of Jesus’ with Nicodemus about the same Holy Spirit which had anointed the Apostles this day.
“Do not be G2296 amazed G2296 that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit G4151, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit G4151 is spirit G4151.
Gospel of John 3:5-6 – Jesus teaches Nicodemus on the Holy Spirit [G4151]
Debate about Peter & the Apostles
“Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.”
“What does this mean?”
But others were jeering and saying, “They are full of sweet wine!”
Acts of the Apostles 2:13 NASB
14 But Peter, taking his stand with the other eleven [now including Mathias], raised his voice and declared to them:
“Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this, and pay attention to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is only the third hour of the day [that is, 9 o’clock in the morning]..
As Luke has already told us, the crowds include hundreds of ‘devout men from every nation under heaven.’
Certainly these religious leaders had been led to the Apostles by the sound of the Spirit. Although you may not recall the words of ‘this Galilean,’ these devout Jews will know the Scriptures Peter is about to preach.
..On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the Lord is coming; Indeed, it is near, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness..
21 Do not fear, land; shout for joy and rejoice, For the Lord has done great things..
The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. 23 So shout for joy, you sons of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication..
28 It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all [flesh] mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your old men will have dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29 And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days..
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, Just as the Lord has said, Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.
The Prophesy of Joel 2:28-29, 32b *2:28 begins as v.3:1 in Hebrew
Acts 2:
17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, And your young men will see visions, And your old men will have dreams; 18 And even on My male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, And they will prophesy. 19 And I will display wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Peter’s Amazing Answer from Scripture
Jesus’ Apostle Simon Peter speaks to his fellow faithful Jews, many men gathered to hear from the place of this loud noise some explanation for this amazing sign.
Do you recall the interchange between Judeans near Jesus’ trial and Peter? The Apostle knows first hand how they associate Galileans (and Samaritans) as lesser Israelites of David’s line.
“Men of Israel, listen to these words:
Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested[proven] to you by God[theos] with miracles [dynamis, power], and wonders[a prodigy, portent or omen] and signswhich God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over [to enemies, or to the power, the will, of some one] by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
The astounded men in the crowd must have wondered:
Do these men have this same Power [dynamis] which they have just heard?
Will this Disciple of Jesus now addressing so many continue with his opening indictment?
Yes, and Peter continues with yet another amazing witness of these historic events:
But God raised Him [the man attested, Jesus of Nazareth] from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
Acts of the Apostles 2:24 NASB
THIS SPEAKER [PETER] HAS JUST TOLD MEN WHO NAILED JESUS TO A CROSS JUST FIFTY DAYS AGO THAT THIS MAN [JESUS] COULD NOT BE HELD BY THE POWER OF DEATH!
Peter then returns to Scripture in order to present the Jews an understanding of the Lord and their Messiah, Jesus.
Son of David
Luke has already told those who have read in his Gospel account:
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Gospel of Luke 1:32-33 KJV
The Apostle Simon Peter begins here by addressing the house of Jacob by saying, “men of Israel.”
“For David says concerning Him:
‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
Protect me, God, for you are my refuge. I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good outside of you.”
7 I bless Adonai, my counselor; at night my inmost being instructs me. 8 I always set Adonai before me; with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
Certainly, the Apostle must have paused here..
Peter no doubt would have surveyed the eyes of those men in the crowd revealing the impact of the Spirit through these Scriptures upon their hearts.
Brothers
Peter, this lowly Galilean addressing multitudes of devout men (with their wives and families gathered beside them for this Jewish festival celebrated fifty days after Passover), now addresses these Judeans, Israelites and faithful pilgrims in Jerusalem endearingly as ‘brothers.’
ἀδελφός - Strong's G80 - adelphos
- From ἄλφα (G1) (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb) - a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote i.e. a fellow believer,united to another by the bond of affection
Don’t miss the personalness of the Apostle’s appeal to those convicted by the Spirit.
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne.
Seeing what was to come, he [David] spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah:
He [the Christ] was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.
Acts 2:30-31 CSB [also linked above with KJV & NASB]
Luke’s account here in the King James Version brings to mind the familiar genealogy from the opening of his Gospel.
“..that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh [that is: from David’s descendants], he [Yᵊhōvâ] would raise up Christ to sit on his [David’s] throne..”
The Apostle Peter reveals to the multitudes through Scripture they know well:
DAVID, King over a United Kingdom of Israel a thousand years ago — David who was also a PROPHET — predicted the resurrection of Israel’s Messiah.
Then Peter, with the eleven other Apostles who have also shown the crowds signs of speaking in their own native languages standing at his side, confirms their own personal witness to ALL:
We witnessed Jesus’ resurrection!
[Brethren, Peter has already addressed them]:
“It is this Jesus [iēsous] whom God [theos] raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses.
Just picture what some men and women among the multitudes must have thought hearing this!
Peter has already restated David’s prophesy, in addition to quoting the prophet Joel. Now the Apostle proceeds to the logical conclusion:
Therefore, since He [Jesus] has been exalted at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
Acts of the Apostles 2:33 NASB
34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:
Peter quotes David to affirm his conclusion from PSALM 110:1
The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.‘
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts of the Apostles 2:36 NASB – Conclusion of Peter’s sermon
THIS IS THE END OF PETER’S SERMON.
“No it’s not,” you say.
"This can't be the end of Peter's sermon, because the Apostle has more to add."
While it is true that Luke adds an important interaction between Peter and someone from the crowd, allow me to ask you this:
Doesn’t your pastor END the words of his sermon without interchange or response from his church audience?
(We don’t hear Peter say, “Let us pray,” or “Amen.”
The crowds did not see Peter walk away from the pulpit as his praise band begins a song.)
NEXT:
Like some moments following contemporary sermons in the Spirit, worship continues in the hearts of some. The Apostle’s speech certainly is guided by Scripture, but primarily Peter preaches by the HOLY SPIRIT. So the question which follows from the crowd, also the work of the Spirit in the hearts of men, will bring Peter to continue with a powerful answer.
Next, we will hear Peter’s answer to pierced hearts.
Please discard your New Testament notions of Pentecost for a moment and allow me to narrate what has just taken place for the Apostles in first century Jerusalem which the witness Luke and other Christians have already seen.
And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting..
And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together..
Acts 2:2,6a NASB20
Perhaps like many, you may not be familiar with the Jewish festivals so central to Jesus’ crucifixion and Scripture more familiar to first century Jews. Festivals brought the crowds to Roman-occupied Jerusalem three times each year.
Luke gives an account of several acts which take place on this day of Pentecost:
in the upper room where the a hundred followers of JESUS have remained after our Lord’s ascension on the fortieth day after the Passover festival and
outside in the crowded streets of Jerusalem and later
in the even more crowded courtyards of the Temple.
Before we join Jerusalem’s crowds on this particular day of Pentecost in the same year Jesus was crucified and resurrected, first let’s understand Pentecost by it’s varied English names.
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
Shavuot, the plural of a word meaning “week” or “seven,” alludes to the fact that this festival happens exactly seven weeks (i.e. “a week of weeks”) after Passover.[14]
In the Bible, Shavuot is called the “Festival of Weeks” (Hebrew: חג השבועות, Chag HaShavuot, Exodus 34:22, Deuteronomy 16:10); “Festival of Reaping” (חג הקציר, Chag HaKatzir, Exodus 23:16),[12] and “Day of the First Fruits” (יום הבכורים, Yom HaBikkurim, Numbers 28:26).[13]
Three Biblical Festivals
“Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me.
“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
Although Luke begins his account of this festival scene with what happened inside the upper room, he immediately takes the reader to the crowds outside to the crowded streets of Jerusalem.
Having heard the RUSHING WIND FROM HEAVEN, like most curious observers, the multitudes of Jewish pilgrims rush to the scene of this unusual phenomenon on the day of Pentecost which begins their festival week.
Now there were dwelling in Yerushalayim Yehudim, devout men, from every nation under the sky. When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them [various Apostles] speaking in his own language.
We’ll return to this crowd scene in a moment, but first let’s address the attesting signs of power first witnessed by the crowds, signs not entirely unfamiliar to Jews rooted in Scripture.
Suddenly Echoes of a Blast of Wind from Heaven
καὶ ἐγένετο ἄφνω ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἦχος ὥσπερ φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας καὶ ἐπλήρωσεν ὅλον τὸν οἶκον οὗ ἦσαν καθήμενοι
Do you understand this from the common Greek of Acts 2:2?Most witnesses on this Pentecost would have, but not all. Soon we will understand what all heard: the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Old Testament Scripture
Consider some of Scripture familiar to first century Jews encountering the sudden sound from the sky.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 1:2a, 2:7 KJV
What must they have wondered about these unfolding mysteries?
God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind and said,
“Who is this who darkens the divine plan By words without knowledge?
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also trust in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with [a voice that sounded like] thunder.
Now it came about, when the LORD was about to bring Elijah up by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah left Gilgal with Elisha.. And Elijah took his coat, folded it, and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.. And as they were walking along and talking, behold, a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and they separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
From Luke’s first account of the acts and teachings of Jesus
What happens on this Pentecost may have amazed others, but the Apostles had known the powerful work of the Spirit before.
Now He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases.
Peter and the Apostles received power though Jesus at times during the Lord’s three-year journeys with them. They also witnessed signs from heaven which Jesus forbid them to reveal at those times..
When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done.. But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him..
And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
But He [strictly admonished] warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone..
33 And as these two men were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; and let’s make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. But while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Do you understand why Peter had asked Jesus to build a temporary tabernacle of worship in three booths?
The Apostles now speaking in Jerusalem during the festival of weeks and giving powerful signs on this Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection and ascension had witnessed all these things!
Strong’s H5521 – sukâ
סֻכָּה çukkâh, sook-kaw’; feminine of H5520; a hut or lair:—booth, cottage, covert, pavilion, tabernacle, tent.
David before moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem –
And Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary H5521 shelters H5521, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field.
2 Samuel 11:11a NASB20 –H5521 = shelters or booths – סֻכָּה
Acts 2 – Tongues of Fire in the Upper Room
And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
(As Luke will record shortly, this awesome phenomenon would actually happen again!)
And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
(Luke also records later: ‘And the [community or literally, multitude] congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul.. Acts 4:32a)
And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them.
- Acts 2:3
WAIT! & Don’t skip past this heavenly manifestation taking place over the heads of these worshipers in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Suppose you were one of the hundred believers present. Wouldn’t YOU have been in absolute AWE?
And from beyond this upper room full of believers, other faithful worshipers of the LORD in Jerusalem would also witness even more acts by the Holy Spirit.
Acts of the Holy Spirit
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:4 kjv
ALL must have feared these unknown acts of GOD: fear as of a Holy Ghost unseen rather than an all-to-familiar ‘holy spirit’ embraced by 21st century christians. ALMIGHTY GOD acted in Jerusalem this Pentecost!
And from these Acts of the Holy Spirit of the Lord God and Jesus Christ, the church ignited the world with the hope of the Gospel.
These hundred believers, thought by the crowds to be merely pilgrims from Galilee in Jerusalem for celebration of the week of Shavuot, AND filled with the Holy Spirit of the LORD, went out into the crowds attracted by the great heavenly wind which came upon that place.
They began to speak in other languages of the Nations, ‘as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.’
Many Worshipers Perplexed by Ordinary Men
.. because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying,
Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. – Acts of the Apostles 2:5 NASB
“Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?
“And how is it that we each hear them in our own [dialect] to which we were born?
from Acts 2:7 & 8, CSB & NASB
9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs
—we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.”
Witness of men from many countries upon hearing the Apostles speak of Jesus christ on Pentecost – Acts 2:11B NASB
Acts of Amazement and Perplexity
They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
Acts 2:12 CSB
Luke uses two Greek words to describe the reactions of the multitudes to these miracles of God:
ἐξίστημι – existēmi – lit. to throw out of position, displace; amazed, astonished, astounded, beside ones self, insane
διαπορέω – diaporeō – to be entirely at loss, to be in perplexity
Their continued amazement at the workings of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost certainly left ordinary men without explanation. Yet note the earlier use of these words by Luke in similar circumstances:
And all who heard Him [Jesus at age 12 responding to teachers in the Temple] were amazed G1839 at His understanding and His answers. – Gospel of Luke 2:47
Her parents were amazed G1839; but He [Jesus] instructed them to tell no one what had happened. – Gospel of Luke 8:56, after Jesus had raised the daughter of a synagogue official from death.
“But also some women among us left G1839 us bewildered G1839. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His [Jesus’] body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.- Luke 24:22-23
YES, AMAZING indeed, these Acts which happened on Pentecost. But look also at Luke’s previous use of perplexity.
Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening; and he was greatly G1280 perplexed G1280, because it was said by some that John [the Baptist] had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. – Luke 9:7-8, after [v.6] the Apostles began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
They were amazed and astonished G2296, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?”
Acts of the Apostles 2:7 NASB20
θαυμάζω – Strong’s G2296 – thaumazō – marvel (29x), wonder (14x), have in admiration (1x), admire (1x),
WE, as Christians, tend to compartmentalize the tenants of our faith. FATHER, that is GOD of the Old Testament. And then the SON, Jesus born, crucified buried, resurrected in body and Spirit — walking around the earth for fifty days in the flesh — then rising into the clouds on Pentecost. Then finallythe HOLY SPIRIT sent to the Apostles of Jesus Christ to help them take the GOSPEL into all the world.
Is that about it?
Does this come close to your concept of the doctrine of TRINITY and timeline of Scripture?
If so, today I want to challenge and expand your compartmentalized view of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. For this deeper dive into Scripture we turn to the original Greek of the New Testament and the role of the Paraclete.
.. but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight.
Source: This post quotes the teaching of R. C. Sproul extensively. Not enough can be said to credit this mentor to many for R.C.'s concise scriptural approach to logical conclusions concerning Christ Jesus. I will provide additional information and a link to R.C.'s lifelong ministry near the conclusion of this post.
With Glory to God and gratitude to R.C. Sproul.
Roger Harned
So what is the Paraclete?
FIRST: What the Paraclete is NOT.
As R.C. Sproul states, he is not the Holy Spirit. Since I have just taught on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost we will not spend much time here.
“We sometimes miss Pentecost by idolatry of its imagery. (The Holy Spirit is NOT a dove — it descended on men and women receiving it ‘like a dove.’) – Roger@talkofJesus.com
παράκλητος – Paraclete:
The KJV translates Strong’s G3875 in the following manner:
comforter (4x), advocate (1x).
summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid
par-ak’-lay-tos; an intercessor, consoler:—advocate, comforter.
You’ve probably heard all of these used for the Holy Spirit.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon adds some additional insight:
παράκλητος, παρακλητου, ὁ (παρακαλέω), properly, summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid; hence,
“one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate”
Consider all of these definitions of the Paraclete.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit is a Paraclete, but not our only comforter, counselor, helper or advocate.
And in the Doctrine of Trinity we must allow for some ambiguity due to the One God being Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Christ the Paraclete
Rather than looking to the Acts of the Apostles at Pentecost as we often do, R.C. Sproul suggests that we look to the Gospels.
Consider the context of the words of Jesus Himself before His crucifixion, resurrection, the glory of Jesus rising into the clouds AND the Power given to the Apostles on Pentecost.
Our soft views of contemporary ‘Christianity’ diminish the role of the Hole Spirit, which is NOT a dove nor is it TONGUES of fire or the speaker of tongues. In like manner we also misunderstand the Paraclete.
Click on the link above to John 14:16 and find the source of our misunderstanding. Translations of the Greek [ἄλλον παράκλητον] allos paraklētos vary widely. For example: another Comforter, another Helper, another Counselor or another Advocate.
We cling to very different imagery of each of these descriptions of the same Greek word spoken by Jesus Christ.
“What kind of Paraclete?” Sproul addresses this in his teaching.
“I don’t like the term counselor here.. because it smacks too much of a mentor who gives us guidance, such as the guidance counselor in school.”
more than a ‘comforter‘
We all need comfort, don’t we? Certainly Jesus’ Disciples and the five hundred first century witnesses of the risen Lord all needed the power of some comforter in view of their persecution to come. Again, to quote Sproul:
“It’s certainly true that one of the things the Holy Spirit does in the life of people of God is to bring comfort. Jesus, in fulfilling the role of the original Paraclete, was also given the title.”
“.. another Paraclete..”
R.C. points out that ‘if we’re paying attention to what Jesus says here, he promises.. “another Paraclete.” An he asks, “Who was the Paraclete?”
Christ is the Paraclete, states Dr. Sproul; and allowing for the complete unity of Trinity, so is the Holy Spirit (as ‘another’ Paraclete).
Again quoting Sproul:
“.. but when Jesus said, ‘I’m going to sent another Paraclete,’ he was not saying, ‘I’m going to send somebody whose primary purpose will be to comfort you.’”
Christians would sure like that, wouldn’t we?Yet Jesus does promise us a Paraclete even better than this.
Advocate – Someone called along side
When I hear the word ‘advocate,’ I picture the T.V. courtroom scenes of Perry Mason.
He is the advocate every innocent defendant will want to stand with them to defend against charges brought before the court. (Perry Mason always wins.)
So I like the idea that Jesus will send us a powerful advocate.
Sproul breaks down the literal Greek to Latin translation:
Para – Along side & kletos, from the verb, kaleo, which means “to call.”
Literally, a paraclete or a parakletos was somebody who was called alongside.
R.C. Sproul in Holy Spirit, Counselor
Sproul points out the Greek word was used for an attorney. Furthermore, a family attorney. He will always be there to defend you.
Again, my Perry Mason imagery, “Counsel, approach the bench.”
Jesus sends this one called alongside believers to defend us. Christ comes beside every saint to defend every time. Sproul then takes us to a scene of Stephen inActs 7, defending him before the court of Heaven.
JUDGMENT!
Do you understand that God has appointed Christ to judge the earth?
from the teaching of R.C. Sproul
Now allow me to ask you this:
Who may stand in the Presence of God?
Only Christ Jesus!
He IS holy in a way equal to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son is perfectly holy as no other man has ever been.
A courtroom scene of Judgment now gets even better than Perry Mason.
Picture this:
Look up to heaven. The courtroom door is opened by an official who summons you to come in. At the bench as Judge sits Jesus.
You’re more than a little afraid! The Apostle John probably describes the heavenly court best in Revelation saying,
“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last..”
‘the Judge is going to stand up from behind the bench, come around to the front, an be our defense attorney, our advocate. Isn’t it incredible that Christ will be our defender?
Christ who comes along side us
What every Christian knows is true differs from the T.V. courtroom scene. Yes, Perry Mason also wins the case; but his client is innocent. What we know for certain is that we are guilty!
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus..
Therefore, every creature in the image of God must have an Advocate to come alongside and Christ Jesus, who died for sinners, is the only One who can represent us, each mortal sinner made from dust into which God has breathed spirit.
‘and they worshipped Him.’
We’ve glanced at the scene of the Apostles looking up at Jesus as the Lord leaves them once more as Luke records in Acts 1. Yet as Sproul points out, back in Luke’s Gospel he adds an important detail.
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
Previously, back in Jerusalem He had said:
“These things I have spoken to you so that you will not be led into sin.. “But because I have said these things to you, grief has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the [paraklētos] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. – John 16:1,6-7
the Paraclete will convict the world
I would be remiss to close this case scheduled for the Highest Court with the Paraclete called to your side without presenting R.C.’s plea to the church concerning Judgment.
Sproul makes a case for the Holy Spirit you need to hear.
The Spirit will convince or convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of Judgment.
The Triune God, p.331
‘One of the things Jesus did was expose false theories of righteousness..’ ‘Perhaps what Jesus is saying is, “What I did in my earthly ministry, now the Spirit will do as my replacement –“
We have a choice, my fellow beloved sinner.Who will be your Paraclete at the last Judgment?Hear what the Spirit says to the churches. — Or not.
Are you completely convinced? OR
Will you be convicted along with the world (without Christ Jesus to represent you)?
Why are you a Christian?
In the year of our Lord 2021, the world continues to grow population currently about seven billion, nine hundred million people and increasingly continues in its sin. Yet in these last days Jesus Christ is mocked as He was on the Cross by a world embroiled in sin. Did you sign up for that?
Sproul asks: What brought you to repentance? He continues:
“In addition to the objective evidence of your sin, the Holy Spirit cut through all your deceitful barriers that kept you from coming to the cross of Christ..
And here R.C. adds a judicial foreshadowing of the heavenly court.
“.. throwing yourself at his mercy, and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ God had to melt your heart.. and it was God the Holy Spirit who brought that inner conviction.”
the Courtroom of Heaven!
And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me..
Jesus Christ IS in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father. A call will go out from the courtroom of heaven to all mortal flesh.
We cannot see this Highest Court.. And we will not get in until, like any other defendant, we are called.
the Paraclete of Pentecost
Christ Jesus is our Advocate! (Or He may be IF you will make Him your Lord.) Sproul concludes:
The Holy Spirit will not allow the world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment to prevail, because he’s the Spirit of truth, sent to the world by the Father and by the Son.
R.C. Sproul – Holy Spirit, Counselor
Heaven’s courtroom door is not the gate of Eden. And we are NOT called up to see heaven until our case comes up on the JUDGE’s docket.
But our time is near — Death! OR even The End of all earthly things…
What will you see when death’s door opens?
Who will you see when your NAME is called?
Will the Judge, seated behind the bench, STAND in your defense?
Roger, [or your Name] – ‘APPROACH THE BENCH’
R.C. Sproul(1939-2017)
With gratitude for his teaching of Scripture, I thank God for the source of most of the previous material, one of the Lord’s most faithful teaching mentors of many scriptural pastors, R. C. Sproul.
For more information and many doctrinally sound sermons and teaching please visit Dr. Sproul’s lifelong library at LIGONIER MINISTRIES.
Jews debate the times and significance of these festivals to this very day. Christians and Messianic Jews recognize the miraculous moving of the Holy Spirit promised by the Lord.
5/17/2021 (Read Festival parshot){source linked above}
Shavuot
NOTE these Scriptures from celebration by Messianic Jews of these last days
Ex 19:1-20:22; Num 28:26-31; Ezek 1:1-28; 3:12; Acts 2:1-47
50 Days
The connection of Pentecost is the counting of fifty days.
Shavuot connects this counting back to the Passover, recounting the Law of Moses.
Pentecost counts back to the Resurrection of the Messiah Jesus in Body sacrificed for us and Spirit satisfying sanctity of the Lord’s holiness.
Fifty days after Jesus resurrection and instruction of the New Covenant with all who believe, the LORD gave the Holy Spirit to those chosen by grace.
Pentecost – First Fruits of the Church
IF the Holy Spirit reveals Scripture to the spirit of your heart, then read Luke’s account from his two-part message to the church: his Gospel and the history of the first century church in Acts of the Apostles.
Please read the above secure link to the Scripture of the Good News of Pentecost.
May those with ears to hear and hearts to receive accept the Word of God through Scripture and the grace of the New Covenant through Christ our Lord who was and IS and will be forever, our Good News of eternal life.
Between Receiving the Holy Spirit and death of this body
I have written of these last days previously. Perhaps now the Spirit will move you to talk of Jesus and the certain hope of the resurrection for those Christ has given the Holy Spirit of God.