"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." Acts 2:1
Tomorrow, Sunday, we celebrate with Christians and Jews around the world the Feast of Pentecost. For the Jews, Shavuot or the Feasts of Weeks, is one of the most significant feasts in Israel's history because it marks the seven weeks between Passover and, most importantly, the giving of the Torah (the first 5 Books of the Bible) to Moses at Mount Sinai.
For Christians it marks the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus gave to the disciples at the last Passover He shared with them before His crucifixion, that the Father would send the Holy Spirit, who would come to dwell with them, and in their hearts forever. Acts Chapters 1 and 2 gives the account of that first Pentecost for the Church.
After His ascension Jesus charged the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So, they all, 120 souls, gathered and waited in the upper room until the Day of Pentecost came (Acts 2:1). The Scriptures do not tell us how long they were all in the upper room. We do know that they returned to Jerusalem from the place where they saw Jesus taken up after 40 days of showing Himself alive to over 500 people. From that place to Jerusalem was a Sabbath Day's journey. And when they arrived there, they immediately went to the upper room. Most likely the same room where they had shared the Passover with Him for the last time.
While they were there, they were fasting and praying, seeking the Lord's will as to who should be to chosen to replace Judas, who betrayed Jesus and subsequently, in his remorse, hung himself. At the prompting of the Holy Spirit, they chose Mathias.
On the 50th day after Passover they were all in one accord in one place. They were there with a singleness of mind and in like expectation and anticipation of what was about to happen at any moment. They had all gathered there on that particular day to do one thing; to wait to receive power by being baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:5)
Over the course of 9 days, after Jesus' ascension, the disciples in that room likely were often speaking with one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, as they worshiped, fasted, and prayed as they waited in one accord. That is the power of worship. Like a mighty army when we sing together, we are all singing the same song, proclaiming the same words, filling the air with one mighty voice as light piercing through the darkness and causing it to flee far from us.
"And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:5
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they we all in one accord in one place.
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
Consider this: They were in one accord, in one place, then suddenly there came a sound. The sound filled the house. Then there appeared cloven tongues like fire, and it sat on each of them.
In one accord – there were no individual agendas, there were no discussion groups or opposing opinions, there were no exceptions or alternative conditions, there were no accommodations for diversity, equity and inclusion of divergent groups, there were no age, gender, or race distinctions, – they were simply in ONE ACCORD
In one place – they were in fellowship with one another in close proximity so that they could see and interact with one another eye to face to face, heart to heart. They were close enough to touch and embrace one another in the spirit of love. They could see each other and communicate in the languages of words and emotions. they could share one another's burdens and celebrate each one's victories. They in one place the house where the family gathered together.
Three things happened simultaneously that day.
– A Sudden sound from Heaven –
– The appearance of cloven tongues of Fire on each of them –
– They began to Speak in Tongues –
It is interesting that the Holy Spirit was heard before He was seen, and then appeared first as cloven tongues of fire, and then was heard in the sound of the disciples the disciples as they began to speak with diverse tongues (as the Spirit gave them utterance) the wonderful works of God. (Acts 2:11)
As fire radiates light so too, our speaking in tongues pierces the darkness of the spirit world and brings the light of the Holy Spirit's power into our situations.
The birth of the Church came with a Mighty sound from Heaven and Tongues of Fire. That is our origin and now our commission; to proclaim a message of the wonders of God with passion and fire, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Light and Life of the world, to all who will hear and see the demonstration of His Spirit and power.
On that first Pentecost of the Church, Peter preached, with the fire of the Spirit of God, the birth, the life, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus to the people, out of "every nation under heaven" who were dwelling in Jerusalem that day, and 3000 of them believed and were baptized.
The sound of the mighty rushing wind of Pentecost is still sounding, spreading across the nations filling every room where people sit in hope and anticipation believing that God is fulfilling His promises and not one Word of all He has said will ever fail. Let all who have ears to hear and all who have eyes to see let him hear, let him see and believe and be saved and be filled with the Holy Spirit and with power to witness Jesus Christ our Lord to every creature. Amen and Amen.
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