The Fruit of Pentecost

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…. –Acts 2:1a

Pentecost is a word meaning “fiftieth,” – literally, the fiftieth day following Passover. For the ancient Israelites it was one of three annual feasts that all the adult males were required to attend, and is also known as the Feast of Weeks or Harvest. It was a day of great joy and thanksgiving to God for the completion of the harvest season. As grand as this feast was for a time, it has taken on greater splendor in these last days as evidenced in our text (read Acts 2:1-42).

When the day of Pentecost was fully come there was an outpouring of God the Holy Spirit resulting in the “birth” of the New Testament or Apostolic church, the visible kingdom of Christ on earth, and world missions. The fruit of this day was and is plentiful.

The disciples, who had gathered together, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in tongues (v. 1-11). What were they saying? They were speaking of the mighty deeds of God, praising Him for His bountiful mercy (v. 11). They were engaged in acts of devotion, thanksgiving, prayer, and singing. There were rapturous feelings of spiritual intoxication and souls dialoguing with God. The universality of the gospel and church of Christ was vividly displayed.

Those present on this day did not understand everything that was going on in and around them. They pondered with great amazement and perplexity the meaning of it all even as some were mocking (vv. 12-13). This mocking would soon be quieted and many of their questions answered by one who had thrice denied his Lord and Savior just weeks before.

Peter stood to calm the crowd and dispel the doubters. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the one who had denied his Lord and Savior proclaimed with boldness the sweet gospel of Jesus Christ (vv. 14-36). This rock pointed to the Rock demonstrating that Christ was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (vv. 14-21), while proclaiming His life, death, bodily resurrection and ascension (vv. 22-36).

God’s Word never returns void, and on this day the result of Peter’s preaching was about three thousand souls being saved and added to the church (vv. 37-41). The preaching of Christ accompanied by the work of the Holy Spirit pierces hearts and changes lives. It is no less true today than it was then.

After receiving the Word and being baptized the now much larger group of disciples persisted in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (v. 42). There was a relationship between these individuals that involved a common interest and a mutual, active participation in that interest and in each other. They were bound together in and through the Lord Jesus Christ by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.

By the amazing grace of God the fruit of Pentecost did not cease two thousand years ago, but continues in our day. All who are His persist in praising God the Father, proclaiming God the Son, and possessing God the Holy Spirit. We, too, are engulfed in the perfect bond of love that has eternally existed in the Trinity.

May you have a blessed Pentecost.