Pentecost

PENTECOST

Just before JESUS ascended back into Heaven, He told His Disciples:

“Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:5

And He said: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

And some time during His ministry, He told His peers: “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

As promised, JESUS came in His Kingdom on the day of Pentecost.

Here is that account.  I suppose it was Luke that said:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.   [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.   [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.   [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.   [5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 

[6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?   [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?   [9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,   [10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, [11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.   [12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?   [13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.   [14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:   [15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. [16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;   [17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:   [18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:   [19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:”  Acts 2:1-19

According to John the kingdom did come on the day of Pentecost; 

He wrote: “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev. 21:2

If you wish to know how he saw it, he saw it through the eyes of his understanding.

Paul's charge to those at Ephesus was: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling.” Ephesians 1:18

JESUS told His Disciples: “After the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8  

Since Paul said: “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17

That was exactly what befell the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, and therefore according to that, John did see the Kingdom coming down from GOD out of Heaven on the Day of Pentecost. 

Here is a prophecy that was fulfilled on the Day the Holy Ghost came:

During the reign of Solomon the LORD GOD divided Israel into two Kingdoms while making Jereboam king over ten tribes, while leaving Rehabom, the son of Solomon two tribes to rule over.   Ah, but God prophesied through the pen of Ezekiel: “I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:” Ezekiel 37:22

Then on the day of Pentecost GOD brought the two kingdoms back together making the twain one Kingdom and the King of Kings, JESUS CHRIST the Son of God ruling over them. Amen!   

Pentecost also affected the redeemed Gentiles in a big way.   John the Revelator tells it as he received it, for he said: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave

out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Revelation 11:1-2

The way I interpret this, though many of the Gentiles were saved and though some were super Christians they were not established in the doctrine of CHRIST which is obvious in the Book of Acts.

In the following I have listed three of the super Christians that were Gentiles that are listed in the New Testament.  They are as follows: 

And the woman of Canaan, that besought the master to cast the Devil out of her daughter.  Matthew 15:28

And the Centurion of whom, “JESUS marvelled and said to the people I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Luke 7:9

In the Acts we find: “A certain man called Cornelius, a centurion, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” Acts 10:1-2

Now the LORD had sent Peter to go to the house of a certain man called Cornelius where he preached:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.   [Acts 10:34-48]

Now after the Gentiles were baptized into the Body of CHRIST, Abraham became their Father; for said Paul: “If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29

They had been removed from the outer court of the City of GOD where they joined Israel in the ministry of CHRIST, Amen!

Through an allegory, the apostle illustrated how and why GOD brought the saved Gentiles into the Kingdom. He told the Gentiles:

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.   Romans 11:17-25

In the above, the Apostle warned the Gentiles that because of unbelief, Israel’s unbelievers were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Yea, the doctrine on the two olive trees was not about Salvation but about the ministry: therefore said the Apostle “Be not highminded, but fear:  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

Now, might I say that all they that were Baptized into the Kingdom, or the Body of CHRIST through and by the Blessed HOLY GHOST, were already saved; this made them part of the Body of CHRIST and equipped them with the gifts of the SPIRIT making them ministers of CHRIST. From day one the Gentiles became heirs and co-occupants with the Israel of GOD, the Church.  And said Paul: “If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”   Galatians 3:29

Paul named the gifts of the SPIRIT where he wrote: “And God gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12   

Not once does the New Testament say that JESUS brought about a better salvation; due to the fact that GOD counted Him slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8

However one did say: “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6

GOD told Father Abraham: “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.  Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.”

Moreover that explained where Paul said: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” Romans 11:26

That also told us that the Church is the continuance of Israel.  No not of the letter but of the Spirit, and therefore I contend that from all the Scripture we’ve observed that, no wonder, Paul referred to the Church as the Israel of GOD.

Here’s what he said: “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them.”

If you are saved by His grace and living for Christ, that would be you.

Amen!!