The Day of Pentecost

   This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 8th 2025 by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

The Day of Pentecost

In the last few weeks, we've been looking at God's significant works. Two weeks ago, we looked at Jesus' ascension after spending 40 days with his disciples. In heaven, he was given back his glory after his ascension. Before his ascension, Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. This happened on the day of Pentecost. 

Acts 1:4-5 NIV - [4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

This scripture is repeated in the Bible 6 times. It is very important.

Matthew 3:11 NIV - [11] “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Mark 1:8 NIV - [8] I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:16 NIV - [16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

We see it 4 times in gospel lessons and twice in the book of Acts.

Baptism means immersion. Baptism of Holy Spirit is immersion in Holy Spirit. 

After the ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, and they were praying and waiting on God. 

How long were they supposed to wait for the Holy Spirit? They didn't know. But they continue to wait because Jesus had promised them. 

We have a lesson to learn here. We all have promises from God. We must continue to wait for them to be fulfilled. 

Acts 2:1-4 NIV - [1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Here we see that on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all together in one place.  Suddenly there was a sound like a violent wind and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit which looked like tongues of fire. 

Acts 2:5-7 NIV - [5] Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. [7] Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 

The other Jews were amazed when they heard the disciples speak in their own native languages. 

The great happenings of the Day of Pentecost:

What does Pentecost mean? It means 50th. 

God has been unveiling his plans to the world in line with the ancient Jewish feast. 

Jesus' sacrifice was on the Passover feast this symbolising the true Lamb of God. 

Three days later he rose to life on the Feast of the first fruits. The Jews bring the first crop which is Barley as it can be harvested faster than wheat and then give it to God. 

1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV - [20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

Jesus is the first fruits of many more fruits. These other fruits are those who put their faith in Jesus. This is our hope - Just as how Jesus was risen to life, we will also be risen to life. What we have with Jesus in heaven will go on forever. Our time on earth is like a tiny dot when compared to Eternity. 

The next feast is the Feast of Shavuot in which 2 loaves of leavened bread is made. This was the day of Pentecost.

On the day of Pentecost, all were together. Let us be like them - all of us together for Sunday meetings, weekly prayer meetings and other meetings. 

Acts 2:2 NIV - [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 

The first thing we notice is an audible sound like a violent wind. 

Acts 2:3 NIV - [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  

The second was sight-like tongues of fire. It was a supernatural phenomenon.

In the Old Testament, God's spirit and presence are usually in the form of wind and fire. 

Acts 2:4 NIV - [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

The third was speech - the disciples spoke in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

The key thing after the infilling of the Spirit is that the disciples were transformed. 

Acts 2:14 NIV - [14] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Peter, who denied Jesus 3 times, stood up boldly and addressed the Jews after he was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Significance of the day of Pentecost:

1.        Reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1 NIV - Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.  

Genesis 11:4-7 NIV - [4] Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” [5] But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. [6] The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. [7] Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 

This was in the Old Testament. But on the day of Pentecost, languages were given to people, and they began to speak. This is to scatter them to different places to spread the gospel. 

Revelation 7:9-10 NIV - [9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. [10] And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 

In the end, we're going to see people from every nation, tribe with different languages would worship God in unity.

2. The giving of the Holy Spirit is contrasted with the giving of the law

 

Exodus 32:8 NIV - [8] They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ 

The Day Moses was given the law, the Israelites made a golden calf and worshipped it. 

Exodus 32:10-11 NIV - [10] Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” [11] But Moses sought the favour of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?  

God was very angry with them and wanted to destroy them. But Moses pleaded with God. 

Exodus 32:14 NIV - [14] Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. 

Exodus 32:27-28 NIV - [27] Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’ ” [28] The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.  

Moses commanded the ones who were on his side to go and kill all the others, which led to the death of 3000 people. 

On the day of Pentecost, this was reversed. 

Acts 2:37, 41 NIV - [37] When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

[41] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 

After Peter preached boldly, 3000 people accepted the message and were baptized.

3.        Jesus is glorified and seated next to the Father

John 7:39 NIV - [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time, the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. 

Spirit being poured out meant Jesus was glorified. Jesus is preparing a place for you and me. One day, He will take us there, and that is our hope. 

4.        Baptized in the Holy Spirit

This doctrine caused considerable confusion among Christians. There is work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but to do the works God has called us to do, we need to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 4:31 NIV - [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The infilling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing thing. We all need more and more of the Holy Spirit.

Let us come and receive.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Death Resurrection and Hope Part 5

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on May 5th 2024 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

We’ve been studying the post- resurrection accounts of Jesus. The last week we spoke about the great commission the very last post resurrection account before the ascension. 

”And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." But 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 ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭5‬, ‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It before he tells them to go, he tells them to wait. Then we see the outworking of his instructions in the remaining part of the New Testament. 

When Jesus said not to leave Jerusalem, it was a command. 

”Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.“ - Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭ 

They waited and obeyed faithfully until the day of Pentecost. 

”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.“ - Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What happened on the day of Pentecost was a supernatural phenomena and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were being baptised with the Holy Spirit. They were so immersed in the Holy Spirit that they began to speak in tongues. 

There were people from different parts of the world. When they heard the sound, they heard them speaking in their own language. ”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."“ - Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There are 4 types of tongues. This is the type of tongue where unbelievers could hear their own language being spoken. 

You see that the Holy Spirit had come, but where is the power? 

”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.“ - Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The first element of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was supernatural boldness. Peter who could not confess Jesus to a servant girl is now preaching boldly in front of thousands. The connection between the promise of the father and the power is the gift of tongues. 

Let’s look at the outworking of this in the rest of the New Testament. 

”Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.“ - Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These are examples for us to follow. Don’t let your experience be what is possible. Let the word determine what we will believe in. 

”Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.“ - Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What is the difference between being a believer and being baptised in the Holy Spirit? 

These are 2 different events. The believers in Samaria already believed in Jesus and were baptised. But they had not yet received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It was a 3 day journey from Jerusalem to Samaria. But the apostles went there and considered it important to be baptised in the Holy Spirit.

What is the sign that someone was baptised by the Holy Spirit?

There is something you see and something you hear. Simon saw that they were being baptised by the Holy Spirit. What did he see? 

Account of Saul coming to faith: 

”But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.“ - Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭6‬, ‭10‬-‭13‬, ‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Account of Cornelius coming to faith:

”At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, "Cornelius." And he stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.“ - Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭5‬, ‭42‬-‭45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the gentiles. 

”For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.“ - Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ephesian believers receiving the Holy Spirit: 

”And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.“ -Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭

In all these instances, after receiving Jesus, they were receiving the Holy Spirit. The sign that they had received the Holy Spirit was that they were speaking in tongues. 

”And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.“ - Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

1. Even if you were filled with the Holy Spirit, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit again. Eph 5:18 says be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

2. We need to ask for boldness and power. The testimony of the New Testament believers that they turned the place upside down. May that be our testimony in this city. 

Why do we need to speak in tongues? 

”Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.“ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

”Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.“ - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is a misinterpretation of the passage saying the perfection is the word, so after the Bible was canonised all these gifts cease. But it does not bear the weight of scrutiny. We still seek knowledge, we do not yet see Jesus face to face. So the tongues will be still when we come face to face with Jesus. For now we need to be built up, so we need the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.   

The Day of the Pentecost

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 5th 2022  by Colin D'Cruz. For the audio & video please click here.  To listen to the worship please click here.

Today is a special day because it’s a celebration of the Christian feast – Pentecost. It is a great reminder of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we find in the 2^nd chapter of Acts that resulted in the birthing of the church and the subsequence spread of the gospel to all nations.

Remember, on the day of the Pentecost, there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached and the gospel went forth. It’s important that we remember these great events in church history because they are so instructional for us. We are going to look at many different scriptures this morning.

Before that, I’m sure all of us have participated in a race. If you remember, just before the race begins, what are the words we hear? “On your mark! Get set go!” Can you believe that Jesus almost said this after His resurrection? He didn’t use the same words. But he says to His disciples, “Go to Jerusalem. Wait for the promise of the Father and go into the world”. It’s almost the same as “On your mark! Get set go!”

We are going to look at the 2^nd chapter of Acts and see how Jesus’s disciples obeyed His commands.

Acts 1:12 - Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk^[c] from the city.  – On your marks!

Acts 1:13-14 - ¹³ When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴ They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. – Get Set!

In Acts 2, as they were waiting there, the Holy Spirit comes upon them. As they were waiting, Jesus gave them this promise. Jesus rose from the dead after His death on the cross and for a period of 40 days, He met with the disciples. He gave them convincing proof saying He’s alive.

Acts 1:4-5 - ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  ⁵ For John baptized with^[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.” 

This verse “baptized in the Holy Spirit” is there in almost all the gospel lessons and in Acts. It is important. God‘s plan for each one of us is to get baptized. Without the Holy Spirit, we don’t have the power to do anything.

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Peter was afraid of a servant girl. When he was asked about Jesus, he was afraid and ran away. But that same Peter, boldly preaches the gospel. The difference was that he received power. Are you afraid to share the gospel with anyone? Especially these days wherein many states, you could be accused of forcibly converting somebody and be sent to jail. The Bible says that on our own we can’t do it. But when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our fear and boldly preach the gospel.

Acts 2:1-4 - When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

They were not just playing video games but they were worshipping and praying.

Verse 2 says, “Suddenly”. They didn’t know when the Holy Spirit would come. But suddenly there was a sound like a violent wind filled the room and tongues of fire came upon each one of them. The first gift of the Holy Spirit we see here is “Speaking in tongues”. WE see it in verse 4.

Just to summarize what happens next is that there were other Jews who had come for this Pentecost and they heard the disciples speaking in different languages. AS they were wondering, Peter, stood up and proclaims the gospel as you can see in the verses -

Acts 2: 22-24 - ²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,^[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 

Acts 2:38 - ³⁸ Peter replied, “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. 

Acts 2: 40-41 - ⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

So we see on the first Pentecost that Peter preached powerfully and 3000 were saved and added to the 120 disciples. And the church was birthed. And the rest of the Acts tells us how they started living.

We will cover that in the subsequent messages.

This morning, if you are here and you’ve not yet received forgiveness of your sins if you’ve not yet put your faith in Jesus if you have backslid in life, let me tell you, Jesus came, he died for the forgiveness of our sins on the cross and he rose from death. He has a plan and purpose for you on earth. But you’ve got to receive him into your life. And he says he will fill you with the Holy Spirit and give you power.

This morning, we are going to look at 3 things about the day of the Pentecost.

1.   1. It caused the reversal of the tower of Babel

In Genesis 11, we see that there was only one language in the whole earth and people moved together.

Gen 11:4 - ⁴ Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

At that time people were united, they had one language and they had one goal – to build a tower to the heavens. They wanted to do this for 2 reasons –

·        To make a name for themselves

·        Not to get scattered across the earth

When God saw what was happening, this is what he thought –

Genesis 11:6 - ⁶ The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 

God, the trinity understood that if people work together in unity, then nothing is impossible. Unity is very important. But God wasn’t pleased with this unity and this goal because of 2 reasons –

i.                 Pride and arrogance – They wanted to build a tower to make a name for themselves.

ii.                Against the command given to Noah – In Gen 9, God commanded Noah to multiply and fill the earth

God was not pleased with this and He caused confusion in the languages and that’s how different languages came to pass. Because they couldn’t understand one another, God forced them to spread out to different parts of the earth.

The people of Babel were cursed and their unity was broken.

How did Pentecost reverse this?

Acts 2:5 - ⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

When the Holy Spirit was poured out, the gift of tongues was given and they could understand what these people were saying in their own language. So one of the things the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues did was it reversed what happened there and it enabled a new unity to come for God’s glory.

So, unity is important and being filled with the Holy Spirit is important for that unity.

If we look at our country, we are proud to have diversity in culture, customs, outfits, traditions, languages etc. But in the church of Jesus Christ, there’s got to be unity where no matter you are from, we are ONE in Jesus Christ. And when we stay united and work in unity, nothing is impossible for us.

2.   2. The reversal of death due to the law

In Exodus, when Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt into the promised land, he left the people there and went up to the mountain to meet with God and that’s where he got the ten commandments.

Exodus 24: 15-18 - ¹⁵ When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, ¹⁶ and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. ¹⁷ To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. ¹⁸ Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Moses was just with God for 40 days and 40 nights without eating or drinking anything. He just feasted and was sustained by the presence of God.

When we are in the presence of God, God’s presence can sustain us through whatever we are going through. While Moses was in God’s presence, there was something else happening down. The Israelites got tired of waiting for Moses and asked Aaron to make an golden calf. They went crazy dancing before this idol and God was not pleased with them.

Exodus 32:15-16 - ¹⁵ Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. ¹⁶ The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

Exodus 32:19 - ¹⁹ When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 

Exodus 32:25-28 - ²⁵ Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. ²⁶ So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. ²⁷ Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.’” ²⁸ The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.

Do you see this coincidence in the numbers? When the law was given, those who sinned were judged and 3000  were killed.

But on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out, 3000 were added. The law gives death and the Spirit gives life. Hallelujah! 3000 were given eternal life!

3.   3. Received a blueprint for the church

What is the purpose of the church? Who gets entry into the church? What are we called to do while we are waiting for Jesus to call us home?

The entry into the church is very clear in Acts 2.

Acts 2:37-38 - When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “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.

·        Faith in Jesus

·        Repentance of sins

·        Baptism in water

·        Receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:41 - Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2: 42-47 - ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

From verse 42, we see what they did after they were added to the church. They fellowshipped together, they met together at homes, in temple courts, ate together, praised God, prayed together, there was unity, shared their possessions and it speaks about Holy Spirit and unity. It’s only in the church of Jesus Christ we see this unity. In our country, people don’t even eat together because of caste and religious divisions. But in the church, we accept one another as Christ accepted us.

What are we here for?

It is not to meet here every Sunday. Our purpose is to scatter and proclaim the gospel wherever we are. Some are called to go out, to another place, and some will be here, but our purpose is to proclaim the gospel and to do good deeds to bring glory to our Father in heaven. Love one another, proclaim the gospel. Do good deeds.

This is just a summary of Pentecost and we will be covering it in detail in the coming weeks. 

Let’s pray to God to fill us more with His Holy Spirit just as He did on the day of the Pentecost. 

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is a part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.