Back To the Upper Room
“And When They Were Come In, They Went Up into An Upper Room. . . . These All Continued with One Accord in Prayer and Supplication.” (Acts 1:13-14)
What a myriad of thoughts must have swirled through the believers’ minds as they walked the mile or so back to Jerusalem after Christ ascended into heaven. They had many enemies in Jerusalem, but they walked fearlessly because He claimed, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18), promised, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (v. 20). They obediently assembled in “an upper room” (literally “The” upper room) to wait and pray.
Pentecost is a pivotal event in Christian history, marking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the birth of the Church, as well as symbolizing God’s new covenant with all believers.
The word “Pentecost” historically means “fiftieth,” originally referring to the Jewish harvest festival known as Shavuot, which is celebrated 50 days after Passover. This festival was a time to give thanks for the harvest and to commemorate the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. By the time of the New Testament, Pentecost had become a significant occasion for Jews from various regions of the Roman Empire to gather in Jerusalem. This gathering set the stage for “The Day of Pentecost” described in Acts 2.
According to the biblical account in Acts 2, the apostles were gathered in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. This event was characterized by:
– Sound of a Mighty Wind: Symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
– Tongues of Fire: These appeared over the apostles, indicating that the Holy Spirit was empowering them.
– Speaking in Tongues: The apostles began to speak in various languages, enabling people from different nations to understand the message of Jesus in their own languages. Millions of Pentecostal believers today maintain that this experience is still relevant, with the Spirit speaking through them in languages they have never learned.
This miraculous event demonstrated the global mission of the Christian faith and fulfilled prophecies from the Old Testament, particularly those in Joel 2:28-32 concerning the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon all people.
“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”
Pentecost is often referred to as the “birthday of the Church.” Following Peter’s sermon during this event, about three thousand people were baptized in water, marking the establishment of the early Christian community. This Infilling with the Holy Spirit initiated the Church’s missionary outreach, which the Holy Spirit divinely guided. This turning point, this outpouring, marked the beginning of the Great Commission.
The apostles’ ability to speak in various languages they had never learned symbolizes the universal need for the gospel message—that salvation through Jesus is available to all nations, languages, and ethnicities. Pentecost emphasizes the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, empowering them to live victorious Christian lives.
As we approach Pentecost Sunday, it is a time to reflect on our ongoing need for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit’s power and gifts. Even two millennia later, our need for the Holy Spirit remains as strong as ever.
In summary, the power of Pentecost remains profoundly important within Christianity, as it marks the birth of the Church and the only way it can march forward in an increasingly hostile world. As Zechariah prophesied in the 6th century, which still applies to our 21st century, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6).
The best is Yet to be!
Dr. Robert Bryant