PENTECOST
- Steven Owens
- May 25
- 9 min read
Praise God for the season of celebrating the feast of Pentecost. Not the feast itself, but for the spectacular event that happened on that feast day. An event that God had planned since before creation, a holy happening for which mankind waited for thousands of years, an event so awesome that even angels were intrigued of the glory that was to be revealed. “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.“ (1 Pet 1: 10-12) A phenomenal act of grace that again, even the angels couldn’t figure out. “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?” (Psalm 8: 4)
Pentecost is a rightfully joyous occasion, an incredibly important occurrence which is the foundation and purpose of our whole existence. It is a day so important that the Apostle Paul said of it, “…I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem…” (Acts 18: 21) But having already learned how this event in Acts 2 is related to the Old Testament feast, we will dig a little deeper and pray that the Lord gives us revelation into His intended design for all of mankind. And that intended design revolved around the giving of His Spirit.
To start with, being anointed with God’s Spirit is nothing new in the Bible. Throughout scripture we find that the Lord anointed specific ones with His Spirit to do specific tasks at specific times. And beyond that, He promised that the time would come when He would make His Spirit available to all people as a guarantee of their Kingdom membership and authorization for entry into eternity. “Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest (pledge) of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Cor 1: 21-22)
But because our God is a holy God, He requires that chosen vessels which will contain His Holy Spirit be holy as well. “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1: 15-16) So He sent a predecessor, a forerunner prior to Jesus to tell us just how to achieve that holiness that would be suitable for spiritual habitation. That predecessor was Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, and he said “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Matt 3: 11) Exciting stuff! But now I’d like to explore the “fire” aspect of the Holy Ghost that John mentioned. Are you ready? Let’s go!
As detailed in His Word, God often used fire for different reasons as follows:
· A devastating tool of divine judgement such as the destruction of the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Please see Genesis 19: 12-13 & 24-25.
· A powerful protection mechanism and instrument of vengeance such as what shielded Elijah from the forces sent against him by King Ahaziah. Please see 2 Kings 1: 1-17
But for the purposes of our discussion, we will focus on fire from heaven as an awe-inspiring symbol of God’s holy presence such as when He spoke to Moses through a burning bush that was not consumed and received instructions to confront Pharaoh to demand the release of God’s people from bondage. (Ex 3: 1-10)
Let’s drill down a little deeper, staying attentive to the purpose of Pentecost as it relates to what actions are necessary to prepare for the in-dwelling presence of God. As we have already discussed the formula that was laid out by John the Baptist, we see those same principles applied many years prior when Moses and David respectively prepared both the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) and the original Temple in Jerusalem to receive the glory of God. Notice in both cases what was done before the anointing fire came down.
· The Tabernacle: After the completion of the Tabernacle, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering on the altar, showing God's approval. “And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” (Leviticus 9: 23-24)
· The Temple: When King Solomon finished praying at the dedication of the temple, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings, and the glory of the Lord filled the entire building. “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.” (2 Chronicles 7: 1-3)
Both structures had to be built exactly like God commanded and only authorized persons and consecrated activities were allowed within. But did you notice how the preparations for both structures included sacrificial offerings of repentance and thanksgiving before the fire came? Both the Tabernacle and the Temple were designed to be places where the presence of God would dwell and He would meet with His people. But the Tabernacle’s location is currently unknown and the Temple has been destroyed, so how was the Lord going to accomplish this intimate union now that both are unavailable? Here’s how. By employing the plan He had all along for establishing the ultimate union and connection with those who love Him. And that plan was to make us the new temple where His Spirit would dwell. “What?b know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” ( 1 Cor 6: 19-20) Such an incredible act of grace where God places the precious and eternal treasure of His Spirit in these dusty, decaying, flesh-stained frames. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Cor 4: 7) And just like the Tabernacle and the Temple were unworthy edifices, so are we. It is God Himself Who has made us worthy. “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” (Acts 11: 9)
And so, 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, He ascended to heaven in a cloud. Then, 10 days later on the day of Pentecost, the Lord rained down fire on His disciples. They weren’t in a tent or a temple. It is believed that they weren’t even on the holy Mount Moriah but in an upper room on nearby Mount Zion. These new temples were cleaned up vessels awaiting the promised arrival of the Holy Ghost. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2: 1-4)
Now some of the people that were in town observing the feast inferred that the disciples were drunk. But others, after hearing God being glorified in their native language, not only marveled and were amazed, they were also perplexed and confused. “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” (Acts 2: 12)
Peter, after advising them that it was too early in the day to be drunk, explains to them that this was the fulfilling of prophecy. He was revealing the essence of what Jesus had told them as recorded in the gospels of John and Luke:
· John 15: 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me:
· John 16: 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
· Luke 24: 49 And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
But as you continue reading of the account, you see that Peter was also detailing the prophecy of Joel made some 800 years earlier:
Acts 2 (Cont’d)
[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:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
But did Joel actually say that, or was Peter just making it up? Let’s go to Joel and see.
Joel 2
[28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
An almost identical recitation!
But here is the secret and revealed truth of this message. Not only was the prophetic event on Pentecost in Acts 2 being fulfilled, but the fulfilling of God’s divine purpose was being executed. That’s why Peter, soon after his upper room experience, preached his first sermon. And what a powerhouse it was. It was a spectacular discourse on repentance in the manner of John the Baptist and how any vessel that was to receive the fire from heaven had to be clean, holy and sanctified before the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit would take place.
And the effects of his authoritative oration were immediate on those who believed and humbly submitted themselves to God. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2: 38)
Peter gave them the key to receiving the Holy Ghost. In essence, the rallying cry of all that has been referenced in this message comes down to this: THERE MUST BE REPENTANCE BEFORE THERE IS REJOICING. Even Joel states the same principle:
Joel 2
[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.[14] Who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him;
May we all gladly receive the righteous Word of God which can sanctify us wholly and make us ready for the outpouring and indwelling of His Spirit. May we unhesitatingly do what is pleasing in His sight, ready to receive the power, the glory and the fire that comes from His holy hill in heaven.
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