Frankly Speaking
"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
This event, described in the second chapter of Acts, is known as the day of Pentecost. This was the day that God chose to pour out His Spirit on man, just as Jesus had promised. The Jews had been celebrating this feast for over 1400 years. Pentecost (literally, 50th) came 50 days after Passover. This was believed to be the day when God revealed His law to Moses on Mt. Sinai - the day that God firmly established Israel as His holy people through His covenant with them. Pentecost, or Shavuot as the Jews called it, was one of the three major feasts in which the entire Jewish populace made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It was no accident that God chose this day to send His Spirit - He knew what he was doing. "And dwelling at Jerusalem there were Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven." Acts 2:5 After being empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up, preached, and gave an altar call. The 3000 that were saved that day would return to their homeland with a salvation message that was radical; salvation was no longer limited just to the Jews but to "all men." It was a liberating message of love and hope that replaced an endless list of laws. Word would spread throughout the world of a Savior named Jesus, who came and set men free. Ironically, Pentecost was also known as "The Feast of Harvest". It was a day that the Jews gave thanks to the Lord for the "latter grains" harvest. Let us today give thanks for the plentiful harvest that God has promised; not a harvest of grains, but one of souls.
"Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" John 4:35
Pastor Frank Dodson
"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
This event, described in the second chapter of Acts, is known as the day of Pentecost. This was the day that God chose to pour out His Spirit on man, just as Jesus had promised. The Jews had been celebrating this feast for over 1400 years. Pentecost (literally, 50th) came 50 days after Passover. This was believed to be the day when God revealed His law to Moses on Mt. Sinai - the day that God firmly established Israel as His holy people through His covenant with them. Pentecost, or Shavuot as the Jews called it, was one of the three major feasts in which the entire Jewish populace made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It was no accident that God chose this day to send His Spirit - He knew what he was doing. "And dwelling at Jerusalem there were Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven." Acts 2:5 After being empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up, preached, and gave an altar call. The 3000 that were saved that day would return to their homeland with a salvation message that was radical; salvation was no longer limited just to the Jews but to "all men." It was a liberating message of love and hope that replaced an endless list of laws. Word would spread throughout the world of a Savior named Jesus, who came and set men free. Ironically, Pentecost was also known as "The Feast of Harvest". It was a day that the Jews gave thanks to the Lord for the "latter grains" harvest. Let us today give thanks for the plentiful harvest that God has promised; not a harvest of grains, but one of souls.
"Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" John 4:35
Pastor Frank Dodson