Bible Questions Answered:
Why was it at Pentecost, that the Holy Spirit came?
Adrian/ Pensacola, Florida
Bible Answer:
Be sure to read the posting: Pentecost-Birth Of The Church
As Passover ended with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's own Son, the heavenly Paschal lamb being shed, the day of redemption, the day of grace opened, and thus the Church age began.
Revelation 5:9 KJV
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
The Day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:1-4 KJV
1 And when the day of Pentecost* was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
*Pentecost-Greek-Pentekoste (Pen-tay-kos-tay): Fifty-The festival of Pentecost.
The Feast of Pentecost, or of Harvest, was a celebration of worship by God's people, for the abundant crops they had received.
Acts 2:2 KJV
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind...”
This speaks of the divine presence of God.
This is reminiscent of Israel's encounter with God at Sinai.
Exodus 19:16 KJV
16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
The Lord Jesus before His death, told His disciples...
John 14:16-18; 26 KJV
16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:5-15 NLT (Jesus speaking)
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.
6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (Paraclete-God the Holy Spirit) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.
8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.
14 He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’
Pentecost was the celebration of the first-fruits of the harvest, which now would be a new celebration, not of wheat, barley, or oats, but of souls, harvested for the kingdom of God.
Pentecost was required by Jewish law to be attended by all males. And so at Jerusalem were visitors from 18 different sects. It was a tremendous opportunity for preaching the “Good-News,” of the gospel.
On that day Peter stood to preach to the crowds of people, explaining to them, that the one they crucified, who rose from the dead was God's Son, and they convicted of their sin, responded...
Acts 2:37-47 KJV
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2:47 KJV
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
These 3,000 individuals, were the “First-Fruits,” of the great spiritual harvest, called the Church Age, the Day of Grace.
John 4:34-36 KJV
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
This great harvest is still going on, and will go on until the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ.
Are you working in the harvest field for your Lord?
Mark 16:15-18 KJV
15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents*; and if they drink any deadly thing*, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
* Jesus informed the tempter, He did not do miracles as acts of showmanship (Matthew 4:5-07).
(example: Paul at Melita, took a viper up by "accident," and it did not hurt him! (Acts 28:1-6).
Psalm 34:7 KJV
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Matthew 9:37,38 KJV
37 Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
