Pentecost was the offering of the eternal earthly kingdom to the Jews, and it was the apostle Peter that preached this offer of the kingdom to them. This kingdom which was promised in Luke 1:30-33 will begin with the earthly Millennial Kingdom and then will extend into the eternal earthly kingdom.
We read in Acts 1:26 that Matthias had been chosen to be the twelfth apostle. In Acts 2:4 we see that the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues (other languages).
Beginning in Acts 2:6 we are told that a multitude came together after they heard of what was happening and were amazed because every man heard the apostles speak in his own language. They were amazed because these men knew that the apostles were Galilaeans.
In Acts 2:11 the Cretes and Arabians proclaimed that they heard the apostles speak in their own languages the wonderful works of God.
In Acts 2:14-21 Peter begins speaking and compares the speaking in tongues that were occurring on Pentecost to what will happen in the “last days” before Jesus Christ returns to earth. The “last days” period covers the seven years of Tribulation written of in the book of Revelation.
In Acts 2:22-23 Peter speaks of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter begins by speaking of Jesus of Nazareth as a man approved of God among them by miracles and wonders and signs. Peter tells them that by their wicked hands they had crucified and slain Jesus of Nazareth.
In Acts 2:24-35 Peter speaks of King David and his prophesy of Jesus as Lord, that his own soul would not be left in hell and that Christ’s body would not see corruption. Peter tells them that this Jesus that King David spoke of, God has resurrected, and that King David said “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.”
In Acts 2:36 Peter then proclaims “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
In Acts 2:37 we are told that these men were “cut to the heart” and asked Peter and the rest of the apostles “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
In Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
In Acts 2:40-45 we are told that 3,000 believed, were baptized and that they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship. These believers sold their possessions and divided them equally among them all as anyone had need as they awaited the return of Jesus Christ.
On Pentecost, Peter did preach of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, this message was preached in relation to Israel’s earthly kingdom program. Peter preached of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion as judgment upon the Jews. Peter told the Jews to repent of their crucifixion of Jesus Christ and be water baptized in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Jews had to do works for their salvation, with water baptism being the first work. Peter tells us in I Peter 4:14 that their promised gift of the Holy Spirit was an external dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Our Apostle’s Paul’s message of the gospel of the grace of God, recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4, is vastly different from the message that Peter preached on Pentecost. Paul tells us that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Paul tells us that we are saved by our belief in what Christ accomplished on the cross, and that we receive an internal dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that we do not have to do works for our salvation, but that we will receive rewards for our good works (I Corinthians 3:10-15).
Please do not let anyone confuse you as to what actually happened on Pentecost. Please do not let anyone tell you that our church which is the “body of Christ” started on Pentecost. No, as we can clearly see, Pentecost was only about the Jews and their gospel of the kingdom program.