Pentecost: The Birth of the Church

22 hours ago
2 min read

Fifty days after Passover, 33 A.D., Jerusalem is filled with people, perhaps as many as 3 million worshippers from all over the region. As the throngs of people pushed toward the Temple, they suddenly heard something strange. From the second floor of a prominent house near the approach to the Temple, multiple languages thundered, washing over the crowds like a torrent, testifying to something new. Some gathered felt a stirring in their hearts as they heard of the Messiah spoken in their native tongue. Others assumed that the group in the upper room was drunk, though it was still day. Yet, there was something new happening —a new covenant, a new mission, a new purpose. As the crowd of people reasoned among themselves in wonder at the miracle they were hearing, one of the men from the upper room came out and began to explain what was happening: the promises of God were being fulfilled.

This is the moment the Church was born. Three thousand men, not including women or children, repented from their sins, believed in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, and were baptized that same day. The very same Spirit that filled the upper room indwells those who are born again today. He wants to do the same thing today as He did on that Pentecost day in 33 AD. Will you be like those who believed, or like those who did not believe? Will we be like those 120 gathered in the upper room, who were obedient and prayed?

Join us this week as we discuss the birth of the Church. We will also celebrate communion and share another Martyr's story. Invite someone to be part of the service. Share on your social media.