Midweek Message from the Archive
Episode Two: Acts 1:12-2:47
Jesus’ physical presence was now gone, but the 11 disciples and certain others returned to the upper room in Jerusalem and waited ten days.
Waited for what?
The Feast of Shavuot: Pentecost. God loves celebration and this festival is always fifty days after Passover. Since Jesus was the Passover Lamb and He ministered to them forty days it was natural these Jewish believers would celebrate Shavuot. It was a time of celebration as God’s people praised Him for the first harvest of the year (lower story). These ten days prepared for the coming of the Holy Spirit (the upper story) who would bring a different kind of harvest.
What did they do?
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer. Acts 1:14a
Ahhhh …. prayer. These special people imitated Jesus; they prayed. However, this ten-day prayer meeting was reserved for those of one mind, one heart, one desire, and one passion. Being devoted in prayer means they received strength that prevails, endurance, and power to stay focused with intense effort.
What was the outcome of this passionate prayer-time?
Peter, the obvious choice, was Spirit-directed to point these new believers, the first harvest of souls, to the Scriptures. Since the original Twelve was now down a man, Judas, God needed to add an apostle; He likes the number twelve. Peter pointed out that Judas’ betrayal was a fulfillment of prophecy and that was enough for them.
Let another take his office. Ps. 109:8
After prayer God chose Matthias and they had their Twelve again. Why twelve? It’s the number of God’s government and rule representing His chosen ones. There were Twelve Tribes and Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. Jesus prophesied:
Truly I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28
The ‘new world’ will have a government filled with positions of authority to make decisions and act in accordance with God’s will; I don’t know what it’ll look like but I know it’ll be good.
When the ten days were completed the inevitable happened. The Spirit of Jesus Christ was poured out in a supernatural way, baptizing or overwhelming them with passion, imparting power, and fulfilling Scripture (Joel 2). Jews from many nations miraculously heard the mighty works of God declared, each their own languages. Peter rose up again encouraging them that Scripture is fulfilled, evidence is given, and he preached his first sermon ending with:
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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself. Acts 2:38-39
12 increased to 120 which increased to 3,000; not a bad day.
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