Scripture to Read: Acts 2:1–4
As we begin Acts 2, we must understand Pentecost and why God sent His Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Pentecost was the second major festival of the Israelites, known as the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew). Beginning the day after Passover (the 16th of Nisan), the Israelites counted forty-nine days, then started the celebration of the feast of Weeks on the fiftieth day (Leviticus 23:15–19, Deuteronomy 16:9–10, Numbers 28:26–31). Because it fell on the fiftieth day after Passover, it was called “Pentecost” (Acts 2:1, Acts 20:16, 1 Corinthians 16:8). The festival proclaimed: (1) God freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; (2) God fulfilling His promise to give them the Holy Land; and (3) God providing rest for them from their labors. When God gave His law on Sinai, He appeared in a “thick cloud” (Exodus 19:9) at the sound of a “ram’s horn” (Exodus 19:13) with “thunder and lightning flashes” (Exodus 19:16) and in “smoke” (Exodus 19:18), and “the mountain was burning with fire” (Deuteronomy 4:11). The Lord spoke “from the midst of the fire," (Deuteronomy 4:12, 15, 33; 5:22–26). At Jerusalem, there was the “rushing of a violent wind” (Acts 2:2), “tongues, as of fire, resting on each disciple” (Acts 2:3), and the proclamations of the Gospel in unlearned languages. In both cases, there was divine speech with holy fire but different messages. The first message was God’s Law, and the second was to repent and believe. (Info was found here; for more details, click here: https://www.1517.org/articles/the-old-testament-pentecost-why-did-jesus-pour-out-his-spirit-on-this-particular-day.)
Challenge & Application
• Look at the three things the festival of Pentecost proclaimed and list how the Holy Spirit declared three similar things.
• God has given us His Holy Spirit to proclaim Christ as Lord; so, how are you being used by God to do so?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!