Topical Bible: Jerusalem: A Revival Occurs on Pentecost Day At

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Introduction

Jerusalem, the historic and spiritual heart of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. It is the city where God chose to establish His name and where pivotal events in the Christian faith unfolded. One such event is the revival that occurred on Pentecost Day, as recorded in the Book of Acts. This momentous occasion marked the birth of the early Church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers.

Pentecost: The Setting

Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was one of the major Jewish festivals, celebrated fifty days after Passover. It was a time when Jews from various regions gathered in Jerusalem to offer the firstfruits of their harvest to God. This setting provided a diverse audience for the miraculous events that were about to unfold.

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together in one place, as described in Acts 2:1-4 : "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

This supernatural event signified the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit as a Comforter and Guide (John 14:16-17). The disciples, once fearful and uncertain, were now empowered to boldly proclaim the Gospel.

The Reaction of the Multitude

The sound of the rushing wind and the sight of the disciples speaking in various languages drew a large crowd. Acts 2:5-6 states, "Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language."

The multitude was amazed and perplexed, questioning the meaning of these events. Some mocked, suggesting that the disciples were drunk, but Peter stood up to address the crowd.

Peter's Sermon and the Call to Repentance

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, delivered a powerful sermon, explaining that the events they witnessed were the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16-21). He proclaimed the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ, declaring Him both Lord and Messiah.

Acts 2:37-38 records the response of the people: "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, '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.'"

The Birth of the Church

The revival on Pentecost Day resulted in the conversion of about three thousand souls, as noted in Acts 2:41 : "Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day." This marked the birth of the early Church, a community devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42).

Significance

The events of Pentecost in Jerusalem were a turning point in redemptive history. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to spread the Gospel beyond the confines of Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This revival laid the foundation for the global mission of the Church and the spread of Christianity throughout the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 2:1
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
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Library

Footnotes
... The following remarkable prediction occurs in the prophet Zechariah ... future restoration
of the Jews to their own Jerusalem. ... this may be a literal revival of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/footnotes.htm

Some Hymns and Hymn-Books
... life is here our portion' and Jerusalem the golden ... book " the Oxford Movement, the
Evangelical Revival, and the ... An example, peculiarly flagrant, occurs in the ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/some hymns and hymn-books.htm

[Endnotes]
... the disciples before the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14 ... If so, Paul when visiting Jerusalem
was likely to ... which properly means simply a writing, occurs fifty times ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... only the scene at Galilee or Jerusalem, the handful ... making a new beginning with the
revival of literature ... faith to defend every name, date, place, which occurs. ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... of Caesarea, and Narcissus, Bishop of Jerusalem, presided; also ... Similarly, too, the
period of Pentecost, is a ... But who would hesitate every day to prostrate ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm