A Day of First Things

We cannot overstate the importance of what happened of the Day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2. Many firsts occurred that day, which continue to impact the lives of Christians, as well as the whole world.

The first day of the week. It is notable that Pentecost (also called the Feast of Weeks) was on the first day of the week (Lev. 23:15-16). From that day forward, we worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

The first gospel sermon preached by the apostles (Acts 2:4, 11, 22). The gospel had been preached in promise, and prophetically (Gal. 3:8; 1 Pet. 1:10-11). Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23). Now, His apostles use the keys that opened the door to the kingdom, by preaching Jesus as Lord and Christ (Matt. 16:19; 18:18; 1 Pet. 1:12).

The first time the plan of salvation was preached to the lost. Jesus commissioned His apostles to preach salvation to the world (Mk. 16:15-16). On that day, sinners who believed Jesus is the Christ, were told to repent and to be baptized for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-38).

The first conversions. About 3,000 souls believed, and obeyed the apostles, and they were saved that very day (Acts 2:41).

The first church came into existence. The church of Christ was composed of "about three thousand souls" on that day (Acts 2:41). The Jerusalem church became the first local congregation of Christians. There would be more (Acts 8:4; 9:31).

The first kingdom worship is recorded. After their conversion and salvation, the Christians continued to worship together (Acts 2:42). Theirs was not a flash-in-the-pan conversion; it was a life-changing, life-absorbing decision.

The first acts of church benevolence occurred. Shortly after Pentecost, the church began caring for its own, by giving and distributing as any among them had need (Acts 2:44-45).

by Joe R. Price

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