Acts 2:1-4
"And when the day of Pentecost was full come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it was upon each of them.
And they were all filled with The Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as The Spirit gave them utterance."
The Day of Pentecost is exactly 50 days after the end of the last day of Passover. But was Passover for? Well, in Exodus 12:43=Moses was given the Law of Passover to share with the people of God, and we find that Passover is not a 'what', but an 'it'.
V. 43: No stranger could eat it
V. 44: Every man's servant whose freedom was bought had to be circumcised first before partaking in it
V. 45: A foreigner and a hired servant could not eat it
V. 46: The Passover was for each household. The whole of the lamb must be consumed with no bones broken.
V. 47: All the congregation of Israel is to keep the Passover.
V. 48: When a stranger visits, and keeps the Passover, every male must be circumcised, then that stranger may draw near to the Passover and keep it; "he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof".
V. 49: One law for both the the homeborn and the stranger that lives among us
Why is it important to know such things when we are hundreds of years past The Book of Exodus? Knowing what I know and wanting to know more, it is important to me to not just read my Bible but study it out. Therefore, I know that each of these laws can be confirmed elsewhere in the Bible.
Exodus 12 describes the Passover in detail. It is important that you open your Bible and read therein, as well. The Passover was not just partaking in the unblemished (v 5) lamb, but the blood of the lamb was to be applied to the doorposts of their homes (v 7). For death would sweep through Egypt, and where the blood was applied, death would pass over that household. And they were to remember this day every year with a feast unto to The LORD, through all generations.
You know why it is important to know this? To understand what happened in the beginning of New Testament times, at the end of Christ's ministry and the beginning of The Holy Spirit's ministry.
For with Christ's ascension into heaven He gave them one more word, one more thing they must do: "You shall receive power, after that The Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8).
And it is in Acts 1:14 that we find they who wanted this power, the disciples and the women who also followed Christ, gathered together, praying for this Holy Ghost power which Christ had promised them. Which brings us to Acts 2:1-4.
With one accord and in one place
A sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind, which filled all the house
Cloven tongues like fire upon each one of them
All filled with The Holy Ghost
All speaking in other tongues, as The Spirit gave
In verse 5-12 we see that this power was immediately put forth. Each Israelite and stranger who had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover heard the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ in his own native tongue. You can imagine the shock and awe effect that was upon all who heard these men and women proclaiming the gospel boldly and with such passion!
Where is our passion? Where is our fire? Where is our boldness?
"Lord, rekindle me. Light the fire of Your Holy Spirit within my heart that I might be filled with Your passion for the lost. Give to my tongue boldness of speech, without fear of reprisal. Fill me to day. And let this my prayer be each day until Your return or You call me home." Amen.
