The Power of Pentecost
The Power of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-41
Growing up a Chicago Cubs fan, four words became my rallying cry, “Wait til next year.” The Cubs were the lovable losers. They played in the great Wrigley Field and would occasionally flirt with greatness before dashing our hopes and leaving us to say, “Wait til next year.” The iconic broadcaster, Harry Carey, uttered at the end of the 1991 season, “As sure as God made green apples, someday the Chicago Cubs are going to be in the World Series.” And yet, for Cubs’s fans it was always, “Wait til next year.” In 2016, the waiting came to an end. The Cubs went to the World Series and beat Cleveland in the 10th inning of the 7th game. It was one of the greatest World Series in history and it was one of the happiest moments in my sports life.
One of the best parts of watching the World Series was all the stories of fathers and grandfathers taking their sons and daughters to games. Grown men would be in tears as they talked about what it meant to watch the Cubs in the World Series. Their joy was contagious. Now almost 5 years later, I can still tap into the joy of that victory. It was no longer those simple four words “Wait til next year,” but four new words burst into life, “The time has come.” After 108 years, the lovable losers became World Champions. The waiting was over.
The people of Israel lived with their own four words, “Wait for the Lord.” The people of God did not wait for over a hundred years but for thousands of years. Around 550 B.C. the Lord spoke through Jeremiah 31:31-34,
31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
The day is coming. Wait for the Lord. Ezekiel around 575 B.C. prophesied, Ezekiel 36:24-28,
24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29
The day is coming. Wait for the Lord.
The people of God waited, and waited, and waited….for the Day of Pentecost. Jesus told them to wait for the promise of the Father. Friends, it is hard for us to comprehend the importance of the waiting and the longing of the people of God. Acts 2 is one of the most important passages in God’s plan of redemption. Acts 2 shows a Trinitarian salvation. The Triune God acts to usher in the messianic age where God’s Spirit dwells in his people causing them to walk in God’s ways.
The Promise of God the Father
Following Jesus’ command, the disciples were all together in one place waiting for the promise of the Father. Remember, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 2:1-13 transition from “Wait for the Lord,” to “The time has come.” Acts 2:1–13
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Pentecost (Pente-50) was called the feast of weeks or feast of firstfruits happened 50 days after Passover established after the Exodus (Exodus 23:15-17). There was a specific reason for all the different nations to be represented in Jerusalem.
The promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, has arrived. The Spirit provided visible manifestations of the rushing wind and “divided tongues as of fire” appeared to them. Luke makes it clear that the Holy Spirit appeared to them. There was no denying His presence. It is hard not to impose our own questions when we come to this text. In reading this passage with a group of church members this week, the first observation and question came directly related to the tongues. Tongues were one of the visible manifestations of the Holy Spirit, but notice the tongues mentioned in this passage are a known language. Verse 6,
And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
Notice the sound caused them to assemble and when they assembled they heard their own language. If you are in a foreign and all of the sudden you hear your native tongue your ears perk up and you notice it. Luke continues to drive home his point, in verse 7,
And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
The tongues mentioned in Acts 2 are real known languages. The text notes astonishment, amazement and bewilderment in that Galileans were speaking in their native tongues. And after listing all the nations, Luke adds in verse 11, “we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”A very clear reading of the text is that tongues in Acts 2 are a real known language.
Throughout our series on Acts, we will address the issue of speaking in tongues, but at Pentecost, it seems clear the people were hearing their own native language. It was a large, public miracle. Rushing wind, divided tongues as of fire, and the telling of the great works of God in their own native language. What was happening could not be denied. One of the major differences between Christianity and cults such as Jehovah Witnesses, Isalm and Mormonism is how God communicates with his people. Christianity is grounded in prophecy fulfilled in public where cults are built on private revelation. If you are not a follower of Christ, consider the difference in the formation of sacred texts. Which is more trustworthy, one individual private revelation from God, or multiple individuals public prophecy fulfilled in view of all. Notice how many nations were represented? All those people from all those nations all can testify to what they saw and heard. Christianity is a religion grounded in history where God’s Word is fulfilled in public.
When I was preparing for this message, I really was struck by God's fulfillment of the prophecy of how he is going to gather people from every nation under heaven, from the north and south, from east and west, to worship his Holy name. I saw a picture showing where the nations came from and it moved my heart to worship. The promise of the Father is fulfilled.
I also want you to notice the different responses to what was witnessed. Acts 2:12–13,
And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
It is not enough to witness events, we also must have the proper interpretation. The people ask, “What does this mean?” And the Apostle Peter explains it to them.
The Proclamation of God the Son
Peter, with the eleven, stands to address the crowd and explain how the coming of the Holy Spirit is directly linked to life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. As he speaks about prophecy, notice how his aim is for the salvation of his audience through proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ.Acts 2:14–15,
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
Peter dismissed those who mocked what had happened for there was no way over 120 people were all drunk at 9 am. Peter then references the prophet Joel, Acts 2:16–21
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Peter sees Pentecost as a fulfillment of Joel 2. God has poured out his Spirit on his people. Peter includes the second half of the prophecy in order to get to the last line, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Peter is about to explain how and on what grounds one is saved.
Acts 2:22–24,
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
The essence of Christian preaching is the person and work of Jesus Christ. If there is no Christ, there is no Christian preaching. Notice what Peter highlighted, Jesus did mighty works and wonders and signs in the midst of the crowd. He did not hide his divinity. He fed the 5,000….publicly. He healed the blind and the lame and the crippled….publicly. He turned the water into wine….publicly. He rose from the dead….publicly.
And Jesus, being the miracle working, divine, innocent Son of God was delivered up to be crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Notice how God used the willful, evil actions of lawless men to bring about his purposes for Jesus was determined to go to the cross before the foundations of the world. It was the definite plan of God. It had to happen. The Messiah was always meant to suffer for his people. Beloved, whenever we hear of the suffering of Christ it should remember us that we are also called to suffer. If our Lord suffered, why should we expect anything less? And God will use our suffering, like the suffering of our Lord, to accomplish his purposes. God is in control. Nothing can thwart his plans. Peter speaks directly to his hearers, “You crucified” and “You killed” Jesus. And friends, if we are honest with our sin, “we” are the “you.” We crucified Jesus. Our sin led him to the cross. But it was not merely our sin that led him there, but it was his love for us to take our sin that led him there. For Jesus knew he had to suffer and die and on the third day be raised. Verse 24, “God raised him up, losing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” Nothing could stop the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Peter explains through David’s words, Acts 2:25–32
For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
God promised David he would always have one of his descendants on the throne. 2 Samuel 7:12–14a, God spoke to David,
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.
Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11 showing how David believed God’s anointed one would not be abandoned in the grave, but spared the decay of death. Peter is helping his audience re-interpret the Old Testament with a Christ-centered hermeneutic. This is a continuation of what Jesus did following his resurrection. Remember Luke 24:45, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Jesus helped Peter rightly understand how the Law and Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled in that the Christ must suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.” The disciples were actual witnesses to the public resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. They were not mere words for they touched him and ate with him and fellowshipped with him for 40 days.
The disciples were witnesses of not only the resurrection but the ascension of Christ. Peter is using all these Scriptures to make a point answering the crowd’s question, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:33–36,
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Everything they witnessed at the day of Pentecost was to declare that God has made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Peter takes three Old Testament texts and explains Pentecost. What does Pentecost mean? It shows that Jesus was crucified and was raised from the dead as a fulfillment of prophecy. It is no longer, “Wait for the Lord,” but the “The time has come.” And yet gospel proclamation does not merely end with declaring the truth, but with a response to the truth proclaimed.
The Power of the God the Spirit
Jesus said to the disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they will be his witnesses. After Peter testified or witnessed to the resurrection, the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of sinners to convince of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 2:37–41,
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one 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, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Those who heard Peter were “cut to the heart.” The greek word refers to a sharp stab or pain. They felt a sharp conviction and realization that they participated in the crucifixion of Jesus through their own sin. They did not receive the Messiah in his life, but now realized that Jesus is the Lord.
The audience addressed the twelve, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter tells them. If you are feeling conviction this morning for your sin, I pray you would hear the words of Peter on what to do with your guilt, he said, “Repent and be baptized every one 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, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” We are called to repent. To repent is to make an about face, to change directions, to stop living for yourself but to God, or to literally change your mind. Repentance is the beginning of the Christian life. You must turn from your sin and for your own pleasure and live for the Lord. The first act of repentance in the New Testament is baptism. Baptism is a public declaration that you are not your own but bought with a price. It is a public testimony that you are buried with Christ and raised to walk in the newness of life. It is a sign that you believe Jesus Christ is Lord and your King and you offer him full allegiance.
Baptism is a really big deal in the New Testament. Baptism was a public confession that you are a sinner and deserve condemnation for your sin and only faith in Christ will save you. Some denominations misunderstand verse 38 to mean baptismal regeneration meaning that the act of baptism saves you. The act of baptism does not save you, but faith in Jesus Christ saves. Peter writes in his first letter to the churches, “Baptism which corresponds to this, (referring to the salvation from the flood), now saves you,not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Baptism is an act of faith. It is an appeal to God on the basis of the finished work of Christ to save you and forgive you of your sins. Notice verse 41, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Those who received his word. Those who trust in Jesus as both Lord and Christ for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved or everyone who the Lord our God calls to himself. To call on the name of the Lord or the Lord calling you to himself happens by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin and convicts you that Jesus is Lord and your repent and trust in Him.
Friend, hear me today, the promise of salvation is not limited to the Jews who heard Peter’s sermon, but to all who are far off. The promise of salvation is offered to everyone who calls on Jesus Christ as Lord not with mere lip-service but with the wholeness of your being. If you trust in Christ as Lord and your life is lived in regards to that truth, you are saved. If you are not a follower of Christ, please know you have sin in your life and you need forgiveness. The Bible says all have sinned and the wages of sin is death. If you don’t have forgiveness from your sins when you die, you will pay for your sins for all eternity. You will receive the just punishment for your sins. When you sin against an eternal God, you will face eternal judgment. And God in his infinite kindness and mercy has sent Jesus Christ to be crucified and raised so you and I could be forgiven. We who are far off can be brought near to God through Christ for Jesus suffered once for sins to bring us to God. Friends, you crucified Jesus because of your sins. Your sins made the cross necessary. And yet God’s love is displayed on that cross for he was willing to die for your sins. Oh please repent of your sins and publicly confess your trust in Christ in baptism. Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
Beloved, we live in a crooked generation. It is twisted and out of place. The world wants to disciple you to follow its patterns. The world wants you to believe you are good and that everyone can find their own truth. The world wants to seduce you to falseness. It wants you to believe gender is merely physical. It wants to show that you can marry whomever you want. It wants you to remove sex from the boundary of marriage. It wants you to believe the most important thing in your life is you and your feelings. Beloved, hear me. The world wants to disciple you away from Christ. Your scrolling is not neutral. Jeff Mingee in a recent article, The Scrolling Soul, wrote,
Scrolling shrivels your soul as it pulls it in a thousand different directions. It distracts you from the greatest object your soul could ever love, and the most glorious truths your eyes and ears could ever behold. Don’t let your soul get sucked into the vanity of an aimless scrolling wasteland—where paths lead everywhere but never to a place of rest and joy. Instead, lead your soul along the “path of life” that leads to ultimate satisfaction: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).
As one writer notes, “The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love.”
Beloved, save yourselves from this crooked generation. Save yourself by losing yourself. Lose yourself in Christ. Run to him. Find true satisfaction and joy in Jesus who is both Lord and Christ. Find Christ and then share him. Join with the apostles and the saints throughout the ages and become a witness of the resurrection. Become a witness of the resurrection in baptism. Become a witness in proclamation. Become a witness in the daily discipline of picking up your cross and following after Jesus.
Beloved, we are not looking for another Pentecost. Pentecost has come so we can know the Lord. Followers of Christ know how to please God because His Spirit dwells within us. We have been born again by his Spirit for the glory of his name. We do not have to “wait til next year,” for “The time has come.” Let all labor for all the houses in Rock Hill and beyond know for certain that God has made Jesus, who was crucified, both Lord and Christ. I pray we would be cut to the heart for our sin and apathy. I pray we would rejoice in the full salvation God has given us through the promise of the Father in the proclamation of the Son in the power of the Spirit. The time has come for God’s people to bear witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.