50 Days that changed the World
After Jesus Christ rose from the grave following His crucifixion on the cross, He appeared to well over 500 people during a 40 day period. He then ascended into heaven. At the end of this period Jesus Christ told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received power from heaven (Luke chapter 24: verses 46-49).
Ten days later at a place in Jerusalem where 120 of Jesus Christ’s followers were meeting and praying the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire (Acts chapter 2: verses 1-4). This is what Jesus had promised them in:-
John chapter 15: verse 26 I (Jesus) will send you the Spirit who comes from the Father and shows what is true. The Spirit will help you and will tell you about Me.
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John chapter 16: verses 7&8 But I (Jesus) tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you. The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God’s justice and the judgment.
This eventful day of the Holy Spirit is known as Pentecost because it was 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is the Greek word for fifty. It also signified the birth of the church. In the church calendar Pentecost is known as Whitsun (Whitsunday) which comes fifty days after Easter.
In the Hebrew calendar the Passover Feast is celebrated not Easter. From the second day of the Feast of Passover to the ‘Feast of Weeks’ also known as ‘Pentecost’ or ‘Shavuot’ there are also 50 days (Leviticus chapter 23: verses 14-17). It is also believed that there were 50 days following Israel’s exodus from Egypt to God giving them the Law at Mt. Sinai.
Jesus Christ was crucified at the time of the Passover Feast. As the lambs were being slaughtered as offerings to God in remembrance of the angel of death passing over the Hebrew dwellings in Egypt; Jesus was shedding His blood on the cross. Just as the blood of slaughtered sheep painted on the doorposts and lintels of Hebrew homes in Egypt meant that the angel of death passed over rather than paying them a visit; Christ’s blood was shed for our sins and those who believe on Him expect permanent death to pass over them also.
When God gave the Law to Moses and Israel at Mt Sinai 3000 died because of sin (Exodus 32). When the Holy Spirit was given to the followers of Christ 3000 were saved (Acts chapter 2: verse 41). If you want to receive eternal life have faith in Jesus Christ as your sacrificial lamb, ask Him into your life, repent of your wrongdoings (sin) then ask Him to give you the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth.
All Bible quotes taken from the CEV