1.By "phenomenal", I don't mean "amazing"--as it's so often used in sports, for example. But "that which appears". Now, what exactly "appeared" at Pentecost? Two things: "a rushing mighty wind" and "fiery tongues" which hovered over the young church.

2."Charismatic". The gift of tongues was given that day. And by this, I don't mean the utterance of nonsense syllables, but the ability to speak a foreign language without study. On Pentecost, that gift was given to all of the saints; "a tongue sat upon each of them" (v.3); and "they all spoke with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (v.4). Its effect was shocking on the audience: "Look, are not all those who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes, Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappodocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues..." And the content of these "tongues" was "the wonderful works of God" (v.11), which came to the early believers by the revelatory gift of visions, dreams, and prophecy (vv.17,18).

3."Apostolic" gifts were also supplied. The men had been chosen years before. But they seemed totally unqualified for their task. And they were...till the Day of Pentecost. On that day, they were given a new insight to Scripture (notice, Peter cites three in his great defense); the true interpretation of that Scripture (see how he applies the ancient writings to Christ); and the ability to apply it with power (notice the effect: "And they were cut to the heart, saying, `Men and brethren, what shall we do?'"

4.But as wonderful as these gifts were, the fourth was even better. On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit poured out His grace. Rather than becoming "the Minister of Death", He became "the Giver of Life": "And that day, (v.41), about three thousand souls were added to them".

1.God is faithful. Ten days earlier, the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven after showing himself alive "with many infallible proofs". And among the last things He told His disciples was this: "Wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence". Pentecost demonstrated the trustworthiness of God and His Word.

2.Christ was successful. It is sometimes thought that the Holy Spirit is God's gift to us. And that is true as far as it goes. But it doesn't go far enough. The Holy Spirit is also God's gift to Christ as a reward for His life and death. And so, when Christ baptized His people "with the Holy Spirit", it implied that His work satisifed the demands of heaven and wrought salvation for those who place their trust in Him.

3.Israel is cut off as the covenant people of God. This was a dreadful judgment, but one well-earned by a stiffnecked people. Isaiah 28:11-12 warns the rebels: "For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, `This is My rest with which you may cause the weary to rest', and `This is the refreshing'; yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was to them `precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little' that they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught". Seven-hundred years later, that judgment fell: "In the law it is written: `With men of other tongues and other lips, I will speak to this people; and yet for all that, they will not hear Me', says the Lord. Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers..." (I Corinthians 14:21-22).

4.The Church is the new people of God. On Pentecost, God showed the world that Israel was nothing but a corpse--a body without a spirit. But the Spirit that left Israel came upon a new people, the Church. At first, the Church was entirely Jewish; but in Samaria the Spirit came in an identical way, and so the Church became mixed. But then, He fell a third time, in Caesarea, and this time--horror of horrors!--on a room full of Gentiles! And so, at Pentecost, Israel's "house was left to them desolate"--and the Church (both Jewish and Gentile) became "the habitation of God through the Spirit".

5.Pentecost introduced a time of spiritual harvest. Pentecost was a holiday in Israel, also called "the feast of harvest" and "the day of the first-fruits". This was the happiest of holidays, a day of celebration and expectation. In cutting their "first-fruits" Israel was rejoicing over what God had already given them and looking forward to the full harvest. This, then, was a "type". It anticipated the Day when God would begin His harvest of souls. Before that time, only a handufl were saved. Even most of Israel was lost--and virutally all of the Gentiles. But at Pentecost, God saved Jews from "every nation under heaven". But as blessed as this was, it was only the beginning. Soon Samaritan souls would be reaped; and then the immense harvest of Gentiles would follow. Thus, "the harvest truly is great".

1.Christ is in fellowship with His Church. We enjoy an intimacy with the Lord every bit as close as the Apostles did--even closer! He told them, "It is expedient for you that I go away". But how could this be to their advantage? The loss of this Friend could never be compensated for! But His departure wasn't a loss at all. He came back to them in His Spirit. "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you". But He didn't come to the Apostolate itself--but to the church-at-large. To men, women, and children. To servants and to people who couldn't so much as read. He came to them. He came to us! Pentecost means that Christ is still in fellowship with His Church!

2.We ought not to be embarrassed by the Church. Yes, it is small; the singing's not that great and the preaching leaves much to be desired. Its members, moreover, have plenty of faults. Yet it remains "The House of God, the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth". And this is true, not only of exceptional churches, but rather ordinary ones, too. The Spirit fell, after all, on common people who had then--and would show in the future--too many defects to number. And yet, He came and did not leave! How dare any of us be ashamed of the Temple of God? The "Church of Christ" and "The habitation of the Spirit".

3.We ought to use our gifts in and for the Church. The phenomenal, apostolic, and charismatic gifts of the Spirit have served their purpose and ceased. But other gifts remain. Whatever you can do is your gift. And where did you get these abilities and what are they for? Let Paul provide the answer: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all". Exercise your gift, therefore, and expect others to profit from them. They will--even if they lack the courtesy to thank you.

4.We ought to expect great things in the Church. Maybe not startling things, but great things nontheless. What things? Growth in grace and the salvation of sinners. But why? Very simple: "It is the Spirit that quickens".