Pentecost & the Early Church FAITH & REVELATION – CHAPTER 7

Pentecost = “fiftieth day”  Jewish festival occurring 50 days after Passover  St. Luke describes the descent of the Holy Spirit:  Sounds like the rush of a mighty wind  Tongues as of fire  Apostles left the Upper Room and went out in the Temple area  Some accused them of being drunk  Peter addressed the crowd

The Primitive Church “They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)  “The Way” – what the early Church called themselves  Deacons = Servant; men the Apostles ordained to assist in the day-to-day activities of the Church  First Christian martyr – St. Stephen

Early Christian Worship  The new believers still considered themselves Jewish  So the early Christians worshipped in two ways:  At the synagogue to read the Scriptures & pray  In their homes to celebrate the breaking of the bread on Sunday  When the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, the two forms of worship were joined in one liturgy:  Liturgy of the Word – derived from the synagogue  Liturgy of the Eucharist – comes from the Passover meal

How can David’s Son be David’s Lord???  St. Peter showed how Jesus was the Anointed One, prophesied by David  Worked miracles  Resurrection – not the end, but the beginning  David called his son “My Lord” because the Son of David is also the Son of God  God entered history to accomplish the task of salvation  Jesus was both human & divine  Son of David – rightful king of Israel  Son of God – dominion over all people