The Day of Pentecost

John 14.15-21 Hymn #143 The Comforter Has Come Hymn #659 We’ve A Story To Tell To The Nations Hymn #155 Spirit of the Living God The Day Of Pentecost Acts 2.1-13 Pentecost is a long-standing Jewish harvest celebration, a Christian celebration outpouring of the Holy Spirit and of the birth of the Church. The Greek word that means “fiftieth.” 50 days after Passover. 7 weeks from the Resurrection. They took the sheaves from the first fruits of the wheat harvest and waved them before the LORD in thanksgiving. The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, is a Jewish holiday celebrated 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits (the day after Passover). It's a time of thanksgiving for the harvest and commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In the New Testament, it is associated with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, marking the beginning of the church.  For ten days after Jesus ascended the followers of Jesus waited. About 120 Acts 1.15 They prayed. They prayed continuously. 10 days Rebecca, can you tell of the importance of prayer in the church? Sound like a rushing mighty wind filled the house Tongues of fire upon each of them They were all filled with the Holy Spirit They began to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them The people heard these Galileans speaking in their own dialects from where they were from. In Jerusalem God fearing Jews from every nation under Heaven Heard them declaring the wonders of God in their own native tongue dialects where they came from. Jesus said they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. This was the beginning, paving the way For our discussion * Tell how the Gospel is tied into all nations I was going to have Pastor Johnson briefly tell us of the mission work you have done over the years. He is unable to be here. So I will share what is going on right now in my life and our fellowship.o * How do you believe a House of Prayer for all nations fits in here? * Obviously there was quite a change from hiding for fear of the Jews and all of them in Jerusalem with Peter preaching publicly and three thousand being baptized that Day. Talk to me about what made the difference. The Resurrection, being clothed with power from on High Baptized with the Holy Spirit. We see not long after Pentecost a miracle done in Jesus’s Name. Peter and John were arrested. Roberto, can you tell us briefly about your prison experience in Cuba? testimony to when you were filled with the Spirit, when your brother Paul prayed for you. Speak of the difference between inviting people to church and witnessing for Christ Church growth was never a goal of the church in the book of acts. It was the result of being filled with the Spirit. The Church Growth Movement began in the late 1970’s. Look where we are after nearly 50 years. Look where the Church in the Book of Acts was in 50 years. These are the men that have turned the world upside down! Acts 17.6 Ignorant unschooled men… who had been with Jesus and were filled with His Spirit. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost He came in mighty fullness then His witness through believers won the lost and multitudes were born again. The early Christians scattered o'oer the world they preached the gospel fearlessly though some were martyred and to lions hurled, they marched along in victory. Then in an age when darkness gripped the earth the just shall live by faith was learned the Holy Spirit gave the Church new birth As reformation fires burned. In later years the great revivals came when saints would seek the Lord and pray O once again we need that Holy Flame to meet the challenge of today. --------------------------- CHORUS: Come Holy Spirit Dark is the hour we need your filling your love and your mighty power move now among us stir us we pray come Holy Spirit Revive the church today!