29th May 2023

Pentecost

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:1.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter’s inspired sermon focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the central theme of the Gospel. The giving of the Holy Spirit was for the chief purpose of the Church declaring the Gospel of the Risen Christ.

As recorded in Acts 1:4, the Lord Jesus commanded the apostles to wait on the Promise. When the Spirit came upon the believers, He inspired them to exclaim and proclaim the goodness of God. The writer Luke highlights the Gospel proclamation of the apostle Peter, which Christians for centuries have labelled the first Christian sermon.

To summarize this sermon, Peter offered a number of key points for our consideration. Let’s focus on three broad points.

First, Peter explains that what had happened is the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32): This passage speaks about a time for God’s people when the Holy Spirit would come upon all believers, and they will speak forth God’s words. On the day of Pentecost, that time had arrived, it is not some future event (v 33).

Second, Peter emphasizes the person and work of Jesus Christ. In verses 22-36, Peter preached that those who saw Jesus and heard His teaching received proof of who He was by miracles (v 22). He did them openly. Peter also pointed his hearers to Christ’s death on the cross. But God raised Jesus from the dead (V 24). Then Peter reminds them that, this Jesus who died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven was Lord and Christ. This was the meaning of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Third, when the Jews heard the Gospel preached, the Holy Spirit convicted them. They wanted to know what to do (v 37). Peter called them to repent and be baptized (V 38).

We should remember two things about Pentecost.

1. True Gospel preaching is Spirit-empowered, Scriptural, and focused on the person and work of Christ.

2. Pentecost is ongoing. The Spirit has been poured out upon the Church, the Gospel still goes forth; and the Spirit still convicts sinners of their sin, and moves them to receive Jesus as the One Who has conquered sin, death, and the grave for their salvation. Pentecost is the re-telling of the Gospel story.

This is something the Church should do each Sunday.

Bible Reading

Acts 2:1-38.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Help Your Church to share the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray. In Christ's name. Amen.