At Pentecost

The event of Pentecost, as recorded in the Book of Acts, marks a pivotal moment in Christian history, often regarded as the birth of the Church. Occurring fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Pentecost is celebrated for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus. This event is detailed 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."

The significance of Pentecost lies in the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit as a Comforter and Guide (John 14:16-17). The apostles, once fearful and uncertain, were emboldened to preach the gospel with power and authority. Peter's sermon on that day, as recorded in Acts 2:14-41, led to the conversion of about three thousand souls, marking the first great revival in Christian history. This event demonstrated the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to witness boldly and effectively.

Pentecost also symbolizes the breaking down of ethnic and linguistic barriers, as people from various nations heard the apostles speaking in their own languages (Acts 2:5-12). This universality of the gospel message underscores the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, inviting all to partake in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

Times After Pentecost

Following Pentecost, the early Church experienced numerous revivals, characterized by the rapid spread of the gospel and the growth of Christian communities. The Book of Acts provides several accounts of these revivals, highlighting the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to perform miracles, preach boldly, and endure persecution.

One notable revival occurred in Samaria, as recorded in Acts 8:4-8. Philip, one of the seven deacons, preached the gospel in Samaria, leading to great joy in the city as many were healed and delivered from unclean spirits. This revival demonstrated the breaking of cultural barriers, as the Samaritans, historically despised by the Jews, received the message of Christ with gladness.

Another significant revival took place in Antioch, where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:19-26). The church in Antioch became a center for missionary activity, sending out Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3). This revival was marked by a strong sense of community, teaching, and prophetic insight, as the Holy Spirit guided the church in its mission.

The revival in Ephesus, as described in Acts 19:1-20, further illustrates the transformative power of the gospel. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus led to a profound spiritual awakening, with many turning away from idolatry and sorcery. The public burning of magic books, valued at fifty thousand pieces of silver, signified a deep repentance and commitment to Christ.

Throughout the New Testament, revivals are characterized by a return to the foundational truths of the gospel, a deep conviction of sin, and a renewed commitment to holiness and evangelism. The Holy Spirit's role in these revivals is paramount, as He convicts, empowers, and guides believers in their mission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth.Acts 2:1-42,46,47
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
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Acts 4:4
However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
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Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
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Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
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Acts 9:35
And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
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Acts 11:20,21
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.
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Acts 12:24
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
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Acts 14:1
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
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The Miracle of Pentecost and the Birthday of the Christian
... in 1841 to 1843, in the Irish revivals of 1859 ... differently according to analogous
phenomena of later times. ... The glossolalia of Pentecost (not that in Corinth ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 24 the miracle of.htm

Success.
... their power had wonderful, heaven-gladdening revivals, who have ... failures should shun
the preaching of Pentecost"the one ... How many times some of us have sighed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter x success.htm

Let Your Hearts be Much Set on Revivals of Religion. ...
... can be no denial of the fact that revivals are a ... means through which God has worked
in other times will be ... repeat that which on the day of Pentecost formed the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xii let your hearts.htm

Modern Revivals.
... owing to man's imperfections and faults, times of refreshing ... and all the modern
machinery for getting up revivals? ... guest on the day of Pentecost, then departed ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiv modern revivals.htm

Take Ye Away the Stone.
... they are, they sprang out of the revival at Pentecost. The Methodist body rose out
of revivals under John ... of the Church had been converted in times of revival ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter i take ye away.htm

Hindrances to Revivals.
... I have several times been asked why we were so silent ... him for the great work on the
day of Pentecost. ... they will never do much more for the cause of revivals. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xv hindrances to revivals.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... in its calmness, yet it rises at times in its ... of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost
acting under this ... of church history which are denominated revivals, in the ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

The Awakening of Zion
... not in religion alone that there are 'revivals,' to use ... brethren, if we have to lament
times of torpor ... His Holy Spirit, because ever since Pentecost His Church ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the awakening of zion.htm

The Story of God's Mighty Acts
... wondrous things which God did in the olden times, by his ... the sermon of Peter on the
day of Pentecost was equal ... So has it been in all revivals; God's work has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the story of gods mighty.htm

Examine Yourself Whether Ye be in the Faith; Prove Your Own Selves ...
... on your past sins, call up your conduct in former times, and see ... revive thy work;
O, Lord, let us have such revivals, let us have a Pentecost season, when ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/examine yourself whether ye be.htm

What is Christian revival? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Lakeland, Florida, revival led by Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries a true biblical revival? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Azusa Street Revival? | GotQuestions.org

Revival: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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