Pentecost Sunday: What does it mean to us? 20th May 2018 EDGE

Giving of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues …

Pentecost decorations in different rites:

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Acts 2: 1-3 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Pentecost (Greek, fiftieth) Feast of harvest: “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.” (Exodus 23:16) Feast of Weeks: “From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off 50 days up to the day after the 7th Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to YHWH.” (Leviticus 23:15-16) Feast of Weeks: “Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to YHWH your God by giving freewill offering in proportion to the blessings YHWH your God has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16:9-10)

Pentecost (Shavout) Celebrated in the third month of the Jewish calendar, on the 6th and 7th day in the month of Sivan, 7 weeks after Passover (19th - 21st May 2018) Festival of joy and thanksgiving to YHWH for the harvest, especially wheat harvest; later a celebration of the giving of the Laws. One of the three celebrations that Jews gathered annually in Jerusalem. Some Jews, especially those who had to travel far to Jerusalem, stayed in the city until after the celebration is over.

Acts 2:2-4 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. Sound like the blowing of a violent wind: The presence of God (“breath of God” in 2 Sam 22:16, Job 37:10; and “stormy wind” in Eze 13:13) Tongues of fire: The presence of God (“fire/burning bush/pillar of fire” in Exo 3:2-4, 13:21, Deu 4:33, 5:24-26, 18:15-16, Eze 1:13-14, 27)

Acts 2:5-11 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappodocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Acts 2:12-17 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” 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. These men are not drunk, as you supposed. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel [2:28-32a]: “’In the last day, God says, [And afterward] I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will sees visions your old men will dream dreams.

Acts 2:18-21 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven[s] above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious [dreadful] day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Joel: The Context of Peter’s Message Hear this you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days? or in the days of your forefathers? Tell it to your children and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; What the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; What the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten. (Joel 1:2-4)

Joel 1:5-14 Wake up you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; … Mourn like a virgin in sackcloth grieving for the husband of her youth. … Despair, you farmers, wail, you vine growers; … Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. … Declare a holy fast; … and cry out to the LORD. …

Joel: Chapters 1 & 2 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; It will come like destruction from the Almighty. … … sound the alarm on my holy hill … … for the day of the LORD is coming … a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. … Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes … Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes … (Joel 1:15-2:3)

Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart, and not your garment. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing … “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, …” (Exo 34:6)

Joel 2:18-27 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people. … “I will drive the northern army far from you … I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and locust swarm – My great army that I sent among you You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; Never again will my people be ashamed.” “… and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and will all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered your.” (Deut 30:2,3)

Joel 2:28-31 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. … Your sons and daughters will prophesy your old men will dream dreams your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. “In the Last Days, God says …” Giving of the Spirit to all believers Direct revelation from God

Joel 2:31-32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls. Repent; “return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12)

The Significance of Joel which Peter Quoted: War and fire at the End Times God will come with an army like the locusts to judge those who have sinned. Israel called to repent (to “call on the name of the Lord”) because God’s judgment is coming soon. God will pour (“bucket”) down his Spirit to His repentant people at the End Times. Peter’s warning partly fulfilled in AD70 when Jerusalem was sacked and burnt by the Romans under General Titus. The Arch of Titus, Sacra Via, Rome

Joel 2:32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls. But the Prophet Joel calls us to call on the name of the LORD (YHWH). What has it got to do with Jesus? Peter goes on to show that Jesus is the Messiah and the Lord (God)

Acts 2:22-24 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man credited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know this man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him form the dead, freeing him form the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. “Credited” = attested to “Miracles” by Jesus in the Gospel “Wonders and signs” alludes to Joel 2:30 as quoted by Peter in Acts 2:19, including the speaking in tongues. Peter argues that 1. God attests to Jesus by miracles

Acts 2:25-28 David said about him: “’I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, Because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ Psalm 16:8-11

Acts 2:29-34a “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Peter argues that Psalm 16:8-11 is not about David, but that the Messiah (“one of his descendants”) is resurrected; and Jesus is resurrected; thus 2. Jesus is the Messiah. The Tomb of David, Jerusalem

Acts 2:33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Both John and Jesus himself prophesied that it is Jesus who baptizes with and sends the Holy Spirit, therefore, 2. Jesus is the LORD who pours out the Holy Spirit. “John answered them all, “But one more powerful than I will come. … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”” (Luke 3:16) Jesus himself prophesied, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”(Luke 24:49) “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.” (Acts 1:8)

Acts 2:34-36 David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Psalm 110:1 (see also Heb 1:13) Davidic psalm, but does not refer to David, because David calls the One who is to come Lord (Mt 22:45, Mk 12:37, Lk 20:44), who sits at God’s right hand, in God’s presence. God told Moses, “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exo 33:20) Since no one is holy enough to sit on God’s right hand; Jesus must be divine. (also Heb 12:2)

Acts 2:22-23 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man credited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know this man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” Jews consider it a grave sin to murder God’s prophet Peter convicted them of not only murdering the prophet of God, but God incarnate.

Acts 2:38-41 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call. With many other words he warn them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousands were added to their number that day. “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Joel 2:32) “whom the LORD calls” the closing phrase in Joel 2:32.

Summary Pentecost: Celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit Through Jesus, which proves that he is resurrected As Lord and Messiah And we have entered a new era Called to Believe Repent Be baptised Receive the promised Holy Spirit. Empowered to witness by the Spirit. A mosaic of the Pentecost in the Basilica of Monreale in Sicily.

What does Pentecost mean to us today: 1. Before Pentecost, very few individuals had direct communication with God (patriarchs, judges, prophets, King David) Remarkable that everyone of us has the Holy Spirit The fruits of the Spirit in our lives bears witness to the works of God. 2. The End Times are near Urgent that we reconcile with God Urgent to share the Good News Oracle of Delphi: The Delphic Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world for over 1,000 years, and The Pythia was consulted before almost all major undertakings including wars and the founding of colonies. Oracle of Delphi, Phocis, Greece

Applications: What does Pentecost mean to us today: Celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit, instead of the Law The End Times are near A time of repentance and return to the Lord Jesus Enabled by the Holy Spirit to proclaim God’s works - Mission call

Let’s pray …