Topical Bible: Faith: Faith in Christ: About Three-Thousand People on the Day of Pentecost

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The Day of Pentecost, as recorded in the Book of Acts, marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, characterized by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the conversion of about three thousand individuals to faith in Christ. This event is a profound demonstration of the transformative power of faith and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower His followers.

Biblical Account

The account of the Day of Pentecost is found in Acts 2. The disciples were gathered in one place when "suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:2). This was followed by "tongues of fire" that rested on each of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in various languages (Acts 2:3-4).

This miraculous event drew a crowd of devout Jews from every nation under heaven, who were bewildered to hear the disciples speaking in their own languages (Acts 2:5-6). Peter, standing with the eleven, addressed the crowd, explaining that this was the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by the prophet Joel, concerning the outpouring of God's Spirit (Acts 2:16-21).

Peter's Sermon and the Response

Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost is a powerful proclamation of the gospel. He declared Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, crucified and resurrected by the power of God. Peter emphasized that Jesus' resurrection was a fulfillment of the Scriptures and that He is now exalted at the right hand of God (Acts 2:22-36).

The message pierced the hearts of the listeners, leading them to ask, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter responded, "Repent and be baptized, 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" (Acts 2:38).

The Conversion of About Three Thousand

The response to Peter's message was remarkable. "Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day" (Acts 2:41). This mass conversion signifies the birth of the early church and the beginning of a new community of believers united by their faith in Christ.

Significance of Faith on the Day of Pentecost

The events of Pentecost highlight several key aspects of faith in Christ:

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises and the continuity of His redemptive plan.

2. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's presence empowered the disciples to boldly proclaim the gospel, illustrating the transformative power of faith and the role of the Spirit in the life of believers.

3. Repentance and Baptism: The call to repentance and baptism underscores the necessity of turning away from sin and publicly identifying with Christ as essential components of genuine faith.

4. Community of Believers: The addition of about three thousand souls to the church marks the formation of a new community, characterized by shared faith, fellowship, and devotion to the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42).

The Day of Pentecost serves as a powerful testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing individuals to faith in Christ and establishing the church as a vibrant, Spirit-filled community.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Salvation by Faith
... believed, and was baptized; as were three thousand, by St. ... none can trust in the
merits of Christ, till he ... The righteousness which is of faith cannot be given ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

Pentecost
... there were added unto them about three thousand souls ... and energy hitherto unknown,
preaching Christ, their words ... thousands openly declared their faith in Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 4 pentecost.htm

A Fourfold Cord
... no means of learning anything about the faith which they ... were only beginning to
understand; Christ in His ... of which this company of three thousand waited with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a fourfold cord.htm

Jesus the Christ.
... in the preceding verse, showing that faith is the ... a rushing of water, delivered three
thousand men from ... declaring that Bethlehem should be Christ's birthplace. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus the christ.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... the day of Pentecost the foundation of the Church was laid in Jerusalem, through
the conversion of three thousand devout Jews to the faith of Christ. ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

The Story of God's Mighty Acts
... and at least it was estimated that not less than three thousand persons were ... frame
of mind, they have made a profession of their faith in Christ, and have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the story of gods mighty.htm

The Promise of the Father.
... a wonderful day for the Church of Jesus Christ, and for ... on the earth, for there were
about three thousand who that ... happy and strong in their new faith and in ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xlviii the promise of.htm

Luther's Catechisms. AD 1529.
... The three thousand Jewish converts on the day of Pentecost ... on their profession of
faith in Christ, after hearing ... was the traditional rule of faith or Apostles ...
/.../ 43 luthers catechisms a d.htm

The Holy Spirit.
... possession of every heart prepared by faith, love and ... men in words that he dictated,
three thousand men of ... convinced of the "righteousness" of Christ, and of ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the holy spirit.htm

Peter and John Examined by the Council.
... is quite distinct from the three thousand converted on the ... to overthrow the established
faith, and purposed ... the charge of imposture against Christ; but their ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture v peter and john.htm