Three Thousand Souls Added

Spring, c. 33 AD

Three Thousand Souls Added

The words of Peter struck the massive crowd like a hammer. Pierced to the heart by the realization that they had crucified their own Messiah, they cried out to Peter and the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's answer was clear and uncompromising: repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

The response was staggering. Those who received his word were immediately baptized. In a single day, the tiny band of 120 disciples exploded into a mega-church, with about three thousand souls being added to their number. The harvest of Pentecost has yielded a massive crop of new believers, instantly transforming the religious landscape of Jerusalem.

"So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls."
— Acts 2:41

Timeline Box: The mass baptism of 3,000 believers occurred on the same day as the initial outpouring of the Spirit.

United Kingdom Era, c. 960 BC

The Queen Of Sheba Visits Solomon

Hearing of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh, the Queen of Sheba has arrived in Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. She brought a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and very much gold. After witnessing his wisdom and the glory of his court, she was left breathless, declaring that not even half of his greatness had been told to her.

"Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to test him with difficult questions."
— 1 Kings 10:1

Timeline Box: This historic visit highlights the global draw of God's wisdom dwelling in Jerusalem.

Mosaic Era, 1446 BC

Manna Falls For The First Time

As the dew evaporated around the camp this morning, a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost, was left on the ground. The Israelites looked at it and asked, "What is it?" (Manna). Moses instructed them that this is the bread Yahweh has given them to eat. They are to gather an omer apiece daily, learning to depend on God's fresh provision every single morning.

"When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground."
— Exodus 16:14

Timeline Box: The first fall of Manna occurred on the morning of the 16th of Iyyar, following the arrival in the wilderness.

Editorial: What Shall We Do?

When confronted with the raw power of God, humanity is forced to ask a question. For Israel in the wilderness staring at the frost-like bread, the question was, "What is it?" For the pierced crowd in Jerusalem, the question was, "What shall we do?"

The answers define our survival. The Israelites had to stoop down and gather the Manna daily to survive the desert. The Jerusalem crowd had to repent and be baptized to survive the coming judgment. God provides the miracle—whether it is bread from heaven or the gift of the Holy Spirit—but we must humble ourselves to gather the provision. Three thousand souls gathered the "manna" of the Gospel in a single day.

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