Hinge verses:Acts 2:22-24
In the Old Testament, what is Pentecost in these verses would've been called the "Feast of Weeks". The Feast of Weeks was celebrated 50 days after Passover, the celebratory commemoration of when the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt. (The word Pentecost means 50 in Greek.) 50 days after Passover, which is when Jesus was crucified as the sacrificial lamb once and for all, the disciples were celebrating Pentecost together in one place. Supernatural gifts were given by the Holy Spirit as a stamp of approval on and to empower their mission and ministry. The crowd in Jerusalem was confused, astounded, and amazed at Galileans speaking in languages that the crowd spoke and understood.
Peter, the one who only 50 days ago said he wasn't friends with Jesus and actually didn't even know him, stood up with boldness and proclaimed to them words from the prophets (which they likely knew, as devout Jews {vs 5}). When he got their attention with these familiar words, he told his fellow Israelites that all of this was God's plan, and was prophesied and fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, whom THEY killed. 😟 They meant it for evil, BUT GOD meant it for good, because
"God raised Jesus up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death."
Then Peter brought up David, Israel's ancient, beloved king, to confirm that Jesus is the Messiah that was promised.
God raised Jesus from the dead. They are all eyewitnesses. After all, it's only been 10 days since Jesus was taken back up to heaven. And this moment, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit made evident by the gospel being proclaimed in every language present, confirms that Jesus is exactly who He proclaimed Himself to be.
This outpouring of the gospel pierced the crowd to the heart, and they wondered out loud how they should respond. Peter gave the call of the ages, weighty for them then and for us now and for future generations.
"Repent and be baptized, each 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, as many as the Lord our God will call."
3,000 people on that day accepted his message and were baptized. But their story didn't end there. They devoted themselves to learning from the apostles, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
In 1794, 3 ministers met to discuss something that was weighing heavy on their hearts. As their new country moved westward, they were concerned about the spiritual health of the ones taking their beliefs to new frontiers. 50 years had passed since the first Great Awakening, and it's effect on churches had become weak. As colleges sprang up in New England, church had less and less influence over the next generations of Americans. So the three ministers sent out a letter, calling for revival. The letter stated this goal:
"Let there be public prayer and praise, accompanied with such instruction from God's Word, as might be judged proper, on every first Tuesday, of the four quarters of the year, beginning with the first Tuesday of January, 1795, at two o'clock in the afternoon. Continuing from quarter to quarter, and from year to year, until the good Providence of God prospering our endeavors, we shall obtain the blessing for which we pray."
There was much response among the population, hungrier for the gospel than the ministers imagined. People entered covenants together to spend a whole day in prayer once a month. "Aaron and Hur Ministries" (Exodus 17) where church members vowed to lift their ministers in prayer and hold their hands up for the battles.
Pastor Edward O. Griffin prayed for revival and it changed his heart, knowing it was not something he could force, but it had to be settled in heaven. He warned his congregation of the terrible outcome should they not turn to the Lord soon. THE NEXT DAY, it was apparent revival had come. Entire families fell under conviction and over 100 people were "hopefully added to the Lord."
Even young people found themselves drawn to the Lord for the first time, discussing the Bible with friends and fellow soldiers and coworkers. It turned the lives of college students upside down. At Yale, a natural leader was Timothy Dwight, grandson of Jonathan Edwards. (Remember we learned about another grandson of Edwards, Aaron Burr, on Day 9 ) Hostility toward religion was the norm at this college, until Dwight debated "Is the Bible the Word of God?" with a group of students. After this debate and a subsequent sermon against lack of religious beliefs, the tides turned among young people.
There is so much more about this series of revivals that lead to the second great awakening in America. It changed and reformed the America and our churches in so many ways. In a time when it seemed like the next generations were going to choose disbelief, leaving religion behind....BUT GOD...
Anti-Slavery was born from these revivals.
The first Sunday School program was born from these revivals.
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was born from these revivals.
The American Bible Society was born from these revivals.
As we see our country fall back into infidelity and disbelief, I pray we will unite under the call given by Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit. And that we will have the courage of our fellow American ancestors to live it out. Oh But God...
(Full Disclosure--If you read the full extent of the links I have attached concerning these revivals, just know that I am very skeptical of some of the actions and "results" of those who claim certain actions as tied to the Holy Spirit. While I would never put God in a box, I believe that gifts are laid out in the Bible as orderly, not chaotic. God knows the truth, so these are just the stories, as told through the years.)
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