“Suddenly a sound . . . filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” Acts 2:2, 3

A part of the ancient Jewish law required every fiftieth year to be a year of Jubilee (fiftieth anniversary). This meant that all those in bondage to their countrymen were freed, homes and lands were restored to their original owners, and no crops were planted, giving the land a rest.

Leviticus 23:15, 16 also speaks of a fiftieth day after the gathering of the sheaf of first-fruits, which happened two days after Passover. It was a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving and was later called Pentecost.

Just as the Jubilee year followed a cycle of seven times seven years, so the Jubilee day (Pentecost) followed a cycle of seven times seven days.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the eleven apostles were instructed to stay in Jerusalem until they received power from on high. These eleven were the Lord’s special representatives who would bring the message of the kingdom to others.

The eleven were in the upper room on Pentecost waiting in an attitude of prayer and expectancy and ready to fulfill their mission of “feeding” (or teaching) Jesus’ “sheep and lambs” (those who would believe and follow the Lord).

The Pentecostal blessing was the pouring out of the holy spirit upon those gathered, shown as a tongue of fire which “sat” upon the head of each one. With the sound of a mighty wind and the appearing of the flames, the disciples were filled with the holy spirit! This was the beginning of the development of the church. Jesus had completed his sacrifice for Adam and now, because God had accepted it, his blood was to be used on behalf of those who were to become the church.

During the time they awaited their own acceptance by God, the apostles chose a successor for Judas. However, instead of recognizing their choice of Matthias, God later selected Paul.

These twelve will be the foundation stones in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2, 14); more will not be chosen.

The holy spirit was given to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.