FIFTY DAYS OF PROMISE
Terry R. Baughman
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. … And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1, 4).
Preparation for the arrival of a special day is a process that can take days, weeks, or even months. For the Feast of Pentecost in history there were plans for a trip to Jerusalem, gathering the produce of the wheat harvest for the bread of the wave offering, and the provisions for the journey and the celebration with friends and others that would meet around the Temple in this annual observance.
Pentecost came fifty days after the Passover and in the book of Acts this was an anticipated occasion after the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Since Jesus had ascended in the clouds just a few days prior, the disciples gathered in the upper room in obedience to His instructions and unsure for what they were waiting. This was not just another occurrence of an annual feast and a traditional day of celebration, but they gathered here for another reason. They came to, “Wait for the promise.” They continued in prayers and perhaps the traditional reading of Scriptures that precluded the arrival of Pentecost, but filled with expectation of something to come.
The believers gathered with a common purpose. It was noted that they were “all with one accord in one place.” They were together. Not just physically together, but with purpose. There is great strength in unity. Together they waited. Together they prayed. They were together for a divine purpose.
The day finally came. In the early morning there was an awareness that this was the day, “The Day of Pentecost had fully come.” This was also the day of God’s promise. There was an unusual visitation of God’s presence. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).
“And suddenly.” That is usually the way God appears. You may find yourself waiting for some time when suddenly the answer comes, a prayer is answered, the phone rings, or there is a knock at the door. When God moves things begin to happen.
The Day of Pentecost, so important in Jewish history, was forever changed that day when the Spirit was poured out on believers. Now it can never be observed as just a feast day or a celebration of the wheat harvest. The day takes on a whole new significance as the life changing experience of the Holy Spirit is celebrated year after year.
It’s not just an event in history. The Holy Spirit is promised and is present for every believer today. On the Day of Pentecost or any other day the gift of Pentecost is available to everyone who comes to Jesus in faith.
What are you waiting for? The promise is for you! Keep believing. Keep praying. Stay focused on the promise of God. Unite with other believers. Join with the church of Jesus and celebrate the coming of the Spirit. Pentecost has fully come and we are one.
Scripture:
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
Terry R. Baughman
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. … And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1, 4).
Preparation for the arrival of a special day is a process that can take days, weeks, or even months. For the Feast of Pentecost in history there were plans for a trip to Jerusalem, gathering the produce of the wheat harvest for the bread of the wave offering, and the provisions for the journey and the celebration with friends and others that would meet around the Temple in this annual observance.
Pentecost came fifty days after the Passover and in the book of Acts this was an anticipated occasion after the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Since Jesus had ascended in the clouds just a few days prior, the disciples gathered in the upper room in obedience to His instructions and unsure for what they were waiting. This was not just another occurrence of an annual feast and a traditional day of celebration, but they gathered here for another reason. They came to, “Wait for the promise.” They continued in prayers and perhaps the traditional reading of Scriptures that precluded the arrival of Pentecost, but filled with expectation of something to come.
The believers gathered with a common purpose. It was noted that they were “all with one accord in one place.” They were together. Not just physically together, but with purpose. There is great strength in unity. Together they waited. Together they prayed. They were together for a divine purpose.
The day finally came. In the early morning there was an awareness that this was the day, “The Day of Pentecost had fully come.” This was also the day of God’s promise. There was an unusual visitation of God’s presence. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).
“And suddenly.” That is usually the way God appears. You may find yourself waiting for some time when suddenly the answer comes, a prayer is answered, the phone rings, or there is a knock at the door. When God moves things begin to happen.
The Day of Pentecost, so important in Jewish history, was forever changed that day when the Spirit was poured out on believers. Now it can never be observed as just a feast day or a celebration of the wheat harvest. The day takes on a whole new significance as the life changing experience of the Holy Spirit is celebrated year after year.
It’s not just an event in history. The Holy Spirit is promised and is present for every believer today. On the Day of Pentecost or any other day the gift of Pentecost is available to everyone who comes to Jesus in faith.
What are you waiting for? The promise is for you! Keep believing. Keep praying. Stay focused on the promise of God. Unite with other believers. Join with the church of Jesus and celebrate the coming of the Spirit. Pentecost has fully come and we are one.
Scripture:
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
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