That's an important trait for a firstfruit, for a firstfruit to have in their life, and in their approach to life. This process will never be seen again in the rest of the New Testament. 4This is much like Adam and Eve, who sought knowledge outside of the boundaries of their authority. Did they doubt that it was real? In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Every generation of God's people have done that. 14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:12-14). Long before modern advertising, the Bible had its own versions of "before" and "after." 3 To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. Makeover programs turn proverbial ugly ducklings into swans. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and . They thought that the body had been ferretted away by the disciples, someone had stolen it. Our Lord saw to it that these witnesses had more than enough evidence of His resurrection, and added to this was the witness of the Spirit to the resurrection: 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. They will receive power through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses. Pentecost was the occasion which God chose to bestow this power on His apostles. Jesus' followers were all together when a sound like the blowing of a mighty wind came from heaven and filled the place where they were staying. Second, we learn that the Great Commission, which our Lord commanded His apostles, was given through the Holy Spirit (1:2). And because both were working together, the mission and the vision, there was a remarkable picture being described here by Luke, of the Church at peace. And had they seen anything near that type of an ecstatic demonstration, it might have been in a form by someone doing something by their form of religion that they didn't identify with. In particular, Judas death was seen to be a part of the divine plan. After Pentecost: Every believer has received the Holy Spirit. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. I remember taking my little bag and walking over and kind of looking around, and sitting down on a bench. Our text has much to teach us, which is why Luke designed this chapter as his introduction to the Book of Acts. As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped corruption that is in the world through lust." They must not attempt to carry out the Great Commission without Pentecostal power. Again, nothing like this had been a part of their frame of reference before. This is Peter's first sermon since Jesus left for heaven. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? "Behold, He said, My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. They immediately began telling others about Jesus. Jesus had already gone back to Heaven so the disciples and new believers of Jesus were waiting to receive the Holy Spirit because that's what Jesus told them would happen. This was a healthy fear of respect and awe and wonder at now what had happened. And I was going to go out to California, my first trip to California, visit my brother for about three weeks. Farewell (Acts 15:28-29, emphasis mine). And you will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." These accounts of like what we have read in the gospels and others for a 40-day period. The search for Judas replacement was prompted, at least in part, by the consideration of some Old Testament Scriptures (Psalm 69:25; 109:8). People should see God in us. Verses 40 to 47 is a summary of one of the most remarkable periods of the church experience. And this express bus took Route 66 out of St. Louis all the way to Los Angeles, my first time to get on that fabled highway, Route 66. A firstfruit is one who follows Christ. They sold their possessions, they divided among them, they shared among those who had need. We've just read it. Because Easter is a moveable feast without a fixed date, and Pentecost. If all the facts were known, I believe that these two accounts would perfectly compliment each other. They left the selection of these leaders to the people, but they did set the qualifications. The Bible teaches the following concerning how the Holy Spirit was involved with the formation and the functioning of the church.