At sundown on May 23rd, Pentecost Day begins. What transpired on this day two thousand years ago once again confirmed, Jesus is Savior. This led to many conversions and provided an example of what will occur during the Tribulation.
We should understand, the word “Pentecost” means ‘the fiftieth day from Passover’. Passover was the day when Jesus perished on the Cross, paving the way for our redemption.
After Christ’s Resurrection, He walked with the Apostles for forty days. He asked them not to leave Jerusalem, but rather wait for the promise of our Father. Christ then ascended into Heaven, standing on the right hand of God, not to return until the Second Advent which we currently await, (Acts 1:1-4; 9-12, 1 Peter 3:21-22).
We will now discuss the miracle and lessons of Pentecost Day.
Baptized With The Holy Spirit
Please turn your Bible with me, and read the words Jesus spoke to the Apostles before His ascension.
Acts 1:5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The word “Ghost” simply means, “spirit”.
Whose Spirit?
God’s Spirit which is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus explains, the Apostles who are the Disciples will be baptized with the Holy Spirit shortly after Christ’s ascension into Heaven.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Christ is stating, once our Father’s Spirit comes upon the Apostles, it will enable them to be a witness of Jesus before the entire earth.
Further, we will learn the events of Pentecost Day are an example of what will transpire in the Last Days.
The Cloven Tongue Of Pentecost Day
Let us continue.
Acts 2:1
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
The Apostles gathered together with one accord. Meaning, they were all in one place, all with one mind, prepared to fulfill the words of Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
This mighty wind was the Holy Spirit sent by Christ from the Father as promised.
This parallels with Revelation 7, where four mighty winds are being held back until the Sealing of the 12 Tribes of Israel takes place. When this Sealing is completed, the Four Winds will rush upon the earth initiating the final events of the Last Days.
Acts 2:3-4
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit who gave them this unprecedented gift.
We should note, this word “cloven” means, “to partition or divide”.
What is being partitioned?
“Tongues” which means, “a language.”
We will learn, while the Apostles spoke in one language, it was divided by the Holy Spirit into multiple languages that were heard by those present in their own native language.
This was a miracle by our Heavenly Father. If we recall from Genesis 11:6-7, at the Tower of Babel, all the people had one language. It was God who confounded their language to begin with, so God can certainly remove that confusion if He so desires.
Acts 2:5
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Jews were in attendance, being those from the Tribe of Judah, or just those who were residents of the land. This also included men from all nations, which naturally included all Twelve Tribes of Israel as we will learn.
Acts 2:6
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
There we have it.
The Apostles spoke in their native language, and the Holy Spirit caused their speech to be divided, heard, and understood by everyone in attendance in their own native language.
For example, had the Apostles spoken to a Russian, Japanese or Spanish speaking individual, they would have heard and understood the message in their own native “tongue”, or better said, “language”.
This is the “cloven tongue,” one voice understood in every language.
The Cloven Tongue Was Understood By All
Acts 2:7-8
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
The multitude was astounded, as the Apostles could only speak Galilaean, yet those in attendance understood their speech in their own native language. Even down to the very dialect of the town they were born in.
This miracle will be repeated during the Tribulation when the Saints are brought before “councils, governors, kings, and rulers”, (Matthew 10:16-20, Luke 21:12-14).
Let us continue as we learn the ethnicity of the people who were present.
Acts 2:9-11
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
All of these people, comprised of various languages and ethnicities heard and understood the cloven tongue.
Why?
It was “the wonderful works of God” which documents they accepted the message.
Acts 2:12-13
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
The multitude was in shock after witnessing the power of the Living God. It would be amazing and potentially fearful to witness something of this magnitude. Yet, there were some in the crowd who were unconvinced.
Acts 2:14-15
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Peter is saying, it is not late enough in the day for anyone to be drunk, you know what you heard.
The Cloven Tongue And The Tribulation
Peter now explains to the “mockers”.
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Acts 2:16
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Peter is now tying Bible prophecy into the miracle God performed on Pentecost Day. Peter will explain, what they witnessed is an example of what is described in Joel 2:28-31 which concerns the Last Days.
Acts 2:17-20
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Nearly two thousand years ago, the cloven tongue served as a miracle for those on Pentecost Day. This miracle once again confirmed, Jesus is the Son of God, and fulfilled the promise He made to the Disciples, (Acts 1:8).
God’s Spirit Will Speak Through The Saints
Today, the miracle of Pentecost Day reminds us in the Last Days, God will once again send His Spirit on the earth to deliver a message.
Turn your Bible with me to,
Luke 21:12
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
This will occur during the Tribulation of Satan, the time when the Antichrist reigns on earth. The time when the Saints are brought before “councils, governors, kings, rulers” and no doubt Satan for a testimony against them. This will fulfill the words Peter spoke concerning Joel 2:28-31.
As the Apostles were a witness for Jesus Christ, so will the Saints be a witness for Jesus Christ, (Acts 1:8). This will be a repeat of Pentecost Day, truly, a fulfillment of it.
Luke 21:13
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
What shall turn to the Saints for a testimony?
The Holy Spirit.
Luke 21:14
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
When the Saints are brought before “councils, governors, kings, and rulers” for a testimony, they are not to even think about what they will speak.
Why?
Luke 21:15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
The Saints will not premeditate what they will say, as God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit will provide the words for them to speak. Just as the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles cloven tongues, which provided them with the words to speak.
The account of Pentecost Day was an example of things to come. An example for us in these Last Days. Christ was not just speaking to the Apostles in Acts 1:8, Christ was speaking to the Saints of the Last Days.
There is nothing new under the sun my friends,
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Let us now turn back to the book of Acts to see how Pentecost Day concluded.
Repent And Be Baptized In Jesus Name
Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
A moment of repentance and acceptance of Jesus was about to take place.
I want you to understand, there are three main reasons the miracle of Pentecost Day took place.
- To acknowledge Jesus as Savior, and that God made Jesus Lord of all.
- To provide an example for the witnessing of the Last Days.
- The conversion that will take place.
Before we read the next verse, I want you to remember how some mocked the miracle of the cloven tongue, (Acts 2:13).
It becomes apparent who mocked, as Peter then addresses, “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem”, (Acts 2:14). This would have been an Israelite, or someone living in the region.
Then in Acts 2:22-23, Peter says, “Ye men of Israel”, and finally, Peter addresses the “House of Israel” concerning their sin.
Acts 2:36
Also: Acts 3:12-15
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Plainly stated, the Israelites had our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ crucified by the Romans, (Mark 15:15). Some of them had “wicked hands”, and we know Satan entered into Judas to betray Christ, (Luke 22:3, John 13:2, Acts 2:22-23).
Nevertheless, the death of Christ was God’s Plan that came to pass, (Isaiah 53:4, 10, Acts 2:23, Romans 3:25, 8:32, see: Why Did Jesus Die For Us?).
Acts 2:36
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Pentecost Day had now confirmed for many, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was sent in order to redeem us from our sins. This “pricked” them in their heart, which means they were “violently troubled” by this revelation and confirmation.
This was all brought forward by the Holy Spirit, in the form of the cloven tongue.
Peter now answers their question.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
What was the House of Israel (and all) to do for their sin?
Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. To accept Jesus who they crucified as their Lord and Savior, (Acts 3:13-15). If they did that, not only would their sin be erased, they would receive the Holy Spirit which dwells with those who love Christ, (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19-20).
Today, when we repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will dwell with us, and we will inherit the Kingdom of God and Eternal Life, (John 3:16, Romans 10:9, Matthew 25:34).
Acts 2:39
See: Matthew 27:25
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The promise of Eternal Life is for whosoever will, (Revelation 22:17).
Acts 2:40-41
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Notice, not everyone received Peter’s words. The “wicked hands” certainly did not. It is hard to imagine how anyone could have turned away from such a confirming miracle at that point.
Yet, those that did receive Peter’s words became baptized, accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. In all, three thousand souls became Christian that day, all due to, the Holy Spirit that brought about the cloven tongue on Pentecost Day.
Summary
The lessons from Pentecost Day were numerous; from the miracle of the cloven tongue, to Joel and the Last Days, to the acknowledgment and acceptance of Jesus Christ, to the redemption of three thousand souls.
One day, the cloven tongue will manifest itself through the Holy Spirit when the Saints are brought before the leaders of the world. Their words will be understood by all, and no one will be able to speak against their words which come from the Holy Spirit, (Luke 21:15).
When this becomes a reality, a conversion of untold thousands of thousands will take place. At that moment, those who received the words, just as those who received the words of Peter, will accept the True Christ and reject the Antichrist who they perceived to be God.
This is the message and lesson of Pentecost Day, a lesson that will one day become a reality.