Pentecost – How it Changed the World

Pentecost – How it Changed the World

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Updated:2019-04-20

Pentecost Changed the World


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

Today, as we continue the Book of Acts Bible Study, our reference is Acts 2:1-13.

Jesus had instructed his disciples to wait at Jerusalem for his Promise of the Father.

As they waited everyone was “with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). Everyone in that Upper Room was there for one reason. They all were waiting for the Comforter. Jesus promised to send Him.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2).

If all those persons who love a quiet church were in this “First Church” on the Day of Pentecost, I wonder what would have happened? This wasn’t a tranquil place.

This was a noisy experience. The sound of a storm wasn’t localized to a section of the room. It filled the entire “house”.

Is Pentecost Only About Speaking With Tongues?


And with the noise from heaven came the baptism with fire.

For, “there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:3).

This happened to fulfil the prophecy of John the Baptist. Nothing breaks the Scriptures. It must come to pass.

He foretold:

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. [B]ut he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11 & Mark 1:8).

As these disciples are looking at each other’s heads in amazement at the “cloven tongue” “of fire” resting on their respective heads, the unthinkable happened.

You, know that uncontrollable tingling sensation that starts in your belly just before you start to speak in tongues? I guess these guys experienced a similar thing then.

“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).

Everybody Spoke With Tongues


Everybody in the “Upper Room” received the Holy Ghost. They all spoke “with tongues”. Nevertheless, observe that they didn’t speak “with tongues” because they desire that.

Instead, they spoke as the “Spirit gave them utterance” or as the Spirit allowed them. The Spirit is in control.

If you have ever had this experience, you know there is none other that’s comparable to it.

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5).

The pandemonium attracted attention. A crowd converged on the Upper Room. Some were in amazement. Some wondered what is the meaning of this? Because they heard Galilaeans speaking different languages.

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6).

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?” (Acts 2:7).

Pentecost – How it Changed the World
What Did They Say as They Speak With Tongues?


And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:8).

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia” (Acts 2:9).

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes” (Acts 2:10).

“Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11).

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” (Acts 2:12).

Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine” (Acts 2:2-13)?

Conclusion

The diction may vary: in filling; receiving the Holy Ghost; baptism with the Holy Ghost; Promise of the Father or Comforter, but the meaning never changes. It’s the Spirit of Christ.

This initial receiving of the Holy Ghost is important. If you comprehend it you will understand subsequent operations.

At Pentecost, the Lord used one group of people to minister to different people from all over the world through speaking “with tongues”.

These Galilaeans spoke in tongues “the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11). They spoke languages they never learned. They had no experience with them.

The men from these different countries heard and understood them.

Consequently, as we continue this study, observe the first thing others are going to do when they receive the Holy Ghost. Note it!

At Pentecost the Lord God Turns the Tables


The Lord utilizes language for His own purpose. The first time He did that was at Babel. He used diverse languages to separate and scatter the people because they disobeyed Him.

But, at Pentecost, the same Lord God turns the tables. He utilizes many different languages to bring people together because they obey Him. But it has nothing to do with the language. It’s never about language but obedience. The language is like a tool the Lord employs for His own purposes.

As was the public’s reaction to the operation of the Day of Pentecost then, so is it today. Then, they were in amazement. Some doubtful! Others saying: What’s the meaning of this? A few remarked: These men are drunk!

Today is no different. Onlookers always say similar things when they observe Believers speaking in tongues in an assembly.

Pentecost – The Power of God


Pentecost changed the world. The Church started at Pentecost. The Lord empowered it on Pentecost with the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost divest the power of God from a few to all who believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Therefore, Pentecost is a vehicle. It carries the power of God to all humanity. But you must obey Jesus Christ. Obey the preaching of Peter he’s a preacher of Christ.

Because of Pentecost, the power of God is not only with kings, priests, and prophets, but with “all flesh”, but you must obey Jesus. Women, servants, handmaidens, boys, and girls for the first time in the history of humanity have access to the power of God through the church which started at Pentecost.

Are you in that Church of Christ? Do you own His influence?

Finally, through obedience and Pentecost, we possess the power of the Lord God through the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We own His influence. It’s ours over all powers of hell, sickness, death, disease, but we must obey Jesus Christ to manifest it.

STUDY QUESTIONS

FURTHER READING

  • Read the passages mentioned in today’s lesson. Using your mouse, hover over the passage on the page to display and read it.  
  • Acts 2:1-13; Matthew 3:11 and Mark 1:8.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

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If you desire to know the details of how the Day of Pentecost really changed your spiritual status, read “Living Soul: In the Image of God“. Click the link.


Leroy A. Daley

Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day. His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.

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