THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH began on the day of Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2. It was not a denomination or an opinion that began that day, but literally the first Christian church to ever exist. Every year, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated by churches around the world. It is very important for us to note that this day is celebrated by all types of Christian churches, not just Pentecostals.
Acts 2:1-4 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.
THREE MAIN FEASTS instituted by God in the Old Testament (Exodus 23:14-16):
THE BOOK OF EXODUS tells us that Moses was sent by God to Pharaoh to be a deliverer of Israel. Pharaoh did not agree to Moses’ appeal to set the people of Israel free from their slavery, and the stage was then set for the showdown between the One True God of Israel and Pharaoh.
GOD WOULD GO ON TO bring plagues upon the land of Egypt: water turned into blood; fish died … frogs … lice … swarms of flies … diseased livestock … boils … a hail storm like had never happened before … locusts … pitch black darkness …
THE FINAL PLAGUE that God would bring upon the people of Egypt would be the death of every firstborn in the land. Only those families that sacrificed an
unblemished, perfect lamb and smeared its blood upon the doorposts of their house would be “passed over” by God.
Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
GOD FURTHER COMMANDED in Exodus 12:14 that the Passover become an annual feast as a reminder of their deliverance from Egypt. Also, as a part of this
Passover feast, only unleavened bread (bread without any yeast) was to be eaten for seven days.
Exodus 12:26-29 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
PENTECOST WAS THE FIFTIETH DAY after Passover. Pentecost, in the Greek, literally means “the fiftieth day.” Pentecost was the celebration of harvest where a large gathering of people
from all across the area and even from distant nations would come to Jerusalem.
Numbers 28:26-31 describes the specifics of the offerings they were instructed to offer each year at Pentecost. It was a day for holy assembly with a restriction on manual labor.
Deuteronomy 16:9-12 tells us who all was to be invited to this feast of Pentecost. They included servants, sons and daughters, Levites, the fatherless, the widow, and the stranger. This was a time for Israelites to celebrate the harvest and to be reminded of their bondage in Egypt.
SO NOW THAT we’ve briefly discussed The Passover and The Feast of Pentecost, below is a very detailed time line from Passover to Pentecost every year going back to Exodus Chapter 23.Passover
WE MUST UNDERSTAND that these feasts continued to be celebrated early on in the New Testament times. Passover became a festival where large numbers would gather in Jerusalem to observe this annual celebration. The timeline below is a timeline of the fifty days between Passover and Pentecost the year of Jesus’ death:
JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED in the city during the yearly Passover celebration. The Last Supper was during the time of the Passover celebration.
In the same way that the blood of the lamb saved Israel from destruction
in Egypt, Jesus’ blood, as the ultimate Passover sacrifice, saves us from the power of sin and death today. The Bible tells us that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He literally became OUR perfect, unblemished, spotless, Passover lamb. As John the Baptist called Him:
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
IT IS NOT JUST that Jesus’ blood takes away every single sin (which it does), but the “SIN” of the world speaks of the separation between God and man that had existed since the Garden of Eden. Jesus came to bridge that gap.
JESUS BECAME OUR PASSOVER lamb! The timing of all of this did not happen by accident or coincidence!
JESUS LIVED a total of thirty-three and a half years. His earthly ministry was the last three and a half years where he performed miracles, taught, and equipped the disciples. Then we know that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. Then there was another span of time that He walked with them and equipped them.
QUESTION: What was Jesus teaching the disciples about for those forty days?
ANSWER: He taught them about what they were to do once He was no longer with them. He was preparing them for life after He would ascend into heaven. He was putting the pieces in place for the very first church!
AFTER HIS RESURRECTION and during this forty-day period, Jesus gave what is widely known as the Great Commission. This commission is recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 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.
Luke 24:46-49 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
IT IS BELIEVED by many that Luke also wrote the book of Acts. It appears that the writer is referencing the book of Luke as “the former treatise” in the first verse of Acts. This seems to be evidenced in that both books are addressed to “Theophilus.”
The writer then continues to sum up the final moments of the forty-day time period that Jesus was seen of them after His resurrection.
Acts 1:1-9 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
LOOKING BACK at the timeline, we are now at the part where Jesus ascended into heaven. They then returned to Jerusalem and tarried there as He told them to.
SO WHEN WE get to The Feast of Pentecost that year, we find ourselves back to the passage of scripture we started this study with …
Acts 2:1-4 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.
REMEMBER, PENTECOST was celebrated every year fifty days after Passover. That particular year, however, Pentecost became widely known as the birthday of the Christian church. The early Christian believers, who were gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost that year, experienced the outpouring of the Holy Ghost (evidenced by speaking in other tongues) for the very first time!
HE TOLD THEM that they were to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24). He told them they would receive power when they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 1 :8).
THIS IS HOW the first Christian Church Started.
QUESTION: so what does it mean in the modern day to be classified as Pentecostal?
ANSWER: In general, the word Pentecostal in the modern day refers to those who believe in and have received the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in other tongues just like the first Christian church did on the day of Pentecost.
SOME MAY SAY that this experience was only intended for them and that it is not intended for us today, but I will endeavor to illustrate that the Bible teaches
otherwise.
WE MUST REMEMBER that Jesus also told them that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24). When did this happen? We’ve read about the initial experience of the first Christian church, but not about what they preached to others. In order to fully see that Pentecost is for Everyone, we must continue to read …
Remember that while Jesus was with them for forty days after His resurrection He told them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24).
This means that what the Apostles preached after Jesus ascended into heaven was the Gospel message that was to be preached and believed throughout the world.
Continuing in Acts Chapter 2: After we read about the initial infilling of the Holy Ghost on the one hundred and twenty individuals in the upper room, the Bible then tells us how that there was a multitude of people in the city of Jerusalem from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). We know from our study that these people were gathered for the feast of Pentecost (as they did every year). The people were so amazed that they heard men speaking in different tongues that they accused them of being drunk.
Peter stood up and began to clarify to the crowd that these men were not drunk in the way they thought they were drunk, but that this was what the prophet Joel prophesied about in the Old Testament:
Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
PETER CONTINUED on to preach the first sermon ever preached in the Christian Church. He preached more about Joel’s prophecy and declared the signs of the times. He preached about how that David foretold (in the Psalms) of what the Messiah (Jesus) would go through. We then find Peter’s conclusion in Acts 2:36, followed by a question in verse 37, followed by an answer in verses 38-40:
Acts 2:36-40 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 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.
SO THE MESSAGE that Jesus told them would be preached beginning at Jerusalem (repentance and remission of sins in His name) was just preached at Jerusalem.
Peter was sure to point out that the promise of the Holy Ghost was not only meant for those that were there that day, but also for their children, and for everyone else.
Acts 2:41-42 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.
THEY CONTINUED IN the Apostle’s doctrine. Doctrine is a substance that is taught. It is a set of beliefs or teachings. The early believers continued after the day of Pentecost believing and teaching the doctrine that Peter began preaching in Jerusalem that day.
SOMEONE WHO IS referred to as “Apostolic” today is someone who believes, teaches, and practices the same doctrine (or teachings) that the Apostles of Jesus Christ believed, taught, and practiced after He ascended into Heaven.
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH put an importance upon believers repenting of their sins, being baptized in Jesus name, and receiving the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in other tongues.
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES are a couple of examples of the Apostles’ doctrine being preached and believed:
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
THE BELIEVERS IN Samaria had already been baptized in Jesus name. The Apostles then sent Peter and John for no other reason but to see that they received the Holy Ghost as well. It was that important!
Act 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
THEY KNEW THAT the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost because they heard them speak with tongues just as they did when they received the Holy Ghost. That was the sign that the Spirit of God now dwelt in them.
THE BOOK OF ACTS is actually titled “The Acts of the Apostles.” Unfortunately, it is viewed by many as merely a historical record of the early church, rather than the pattern for the church today. Many people look to Romans or another one of Paul’s letters as their message of salvation.
WE MUST NOTE that Romans and Paul’s other letters were written during the events of the book of Acts to churches that already had the Gospel message of salvation preached to them. An example of this is Paul opening up his letter to the Galatians by referring to the Gospel that had already been preached to them (Galatians 1:8-9). His letter to them was built around the message that they already believed.
SO WHAT DID PAUL, the guy who wrote approximately half of the New Testament, preach as the message of salvation?
Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
PAUL CAME ACROSS some believers in the city of Ephesus and asked them a very simple, but profound question: “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?”
WHEN PAUL ASKED this question, he was implying that all believers should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He was implying that it was intended for all believers.
THEIR RESPONSE led Paul to ask another very important question: “Unto what then were ye baptized?” Paul would not have asked this question if it did not matter.
JUST A FEW verses later we see that they are baptized in Jesus name (the only way anyone was ever baptized in the original Christian church). We then read that Paul prayed for them and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues.
ACCORDING TO what Jesus said in John 7:37-39, Paul was correct. The Holy Ghost was indeed intended for all believers.
John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
AS WE KNOW from our study, the Holy Ghost was later given after Jesus died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven. The Holy Ghost was and still is intended for all who believe on Him.
How can I state so confidently to you that Pentecost is for everyone? Because THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH started on the day of Pentecost. It was not a denomination or an opinion that started that day, but literally the first Christian church. In addition, Jesus is the one that started that church. Everything that this first church preached was Jesus’ plan and idea.
BASED UPON the scriptures covered in this brief Bible study, along with other scriptures referenced, it is my prayer that all readers see that the Bible teaches us that the Pentecostal experience is for everyone. Church traditions may not illustrate that Pentecost is for everyone, but the Bible does.
THE PENTECOSTAL EXPERIENCE of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance truly is one of the most amazing things that any person could ever experience.
