Pentecost - The Beginning of the Harvest (Part Ten)

The Day of Pentecost, a holy day celebrating the first fruits of the harvest (Exodus 23:16, Numbers:26), was the beginning of the harvest of souls for the kingdom of God.

Forty days after Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, Jesus spoke to His disciples about the promised outpouring of His Spirit. The kingdom of God, those born of the water and of the Spirit, was about to begin. (John 3:5, Luke 18:16-17, 1Corinthians 4:20, Romans 14:17, Luke 17:20-21)

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:49 KJV

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." - Acts 1:3-5 KJV

"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. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:8-9 KJV

The Day of Pentecost was the first outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the harvest, the firstfruits.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1, 4 KJV

When all those in the upper room were filled with the Holy Ghost, those in Jerusalem saw and heard them.

"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." - Acts 2:5-6 KJV

"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: ... 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:" - Acts 2:14, 17 KJV

Peter then preached the gospel to them.

"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?

“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.

“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." - Acts 2:37-39 KJV

After Peter preached the gospel, there was a harvest of souls for the kingdom of God.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. ... Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:41, 47 KJV

Jesus had told His disciples,

"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:37-38 KJV

Before Jesus ascended up to heaven, Jesus sent labourers into His harvest.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15 KJV (John 20:21)

The harvest began on the Day of Pentecost.  The Lord then added to His church.

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:42, 47 KJV

The Lord is still adding to His church today.