Past Pentecost to Paul
By Pastor Charles Wages
By Pastor Charles Wages
There seems to be an almost
universal misunderstanding of the significance of Pentecost as it relates to
God's divine plan for the ages. It has taken on ideas and religious beliefs
that were never intended in God's Word. Examples of these "added"
beliefs are:
Pentecost means a particular group of religious people who believe in
signs, miracles, healings, speaking in tongues, etc.
This event marked the beginning or "birthday of the Church."
It should be a religious holiday or "Holy" day that should be
observed by believers today.
We should pray for a "return to Pentecost" to be more
spiritual.
In order to arrive at the true
meaning and significance of this event, we must scripturally define the meaning
and trace its history in the Bible.
The Day of Pentecost
In Leviticus 23, we have accounts of
various feasts God gave to His people Israel through Moses. Among these was one
connected to the wave offering, where they were instructed:
"Even unto the morrow after the
seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days and ye shall offer a new meat (meal)
offering unto the Lord."
The word "Pentecost"
carries the meaning of "fiftieth" as shown in Leviticus 23:16. The
Old Testament calls it the "feast of weeks." This pictures the fifty
days between the resurrection of Christ and the day of Pentecost. Also, this
helps us see why Acts 2:1 reads:
"And when the day of Pentecost
was fully come ..."
It is now clear that the first
chapter of Acts in our Bible covers the fifty days in fulfillment of Old
Testament prophecy in type. The forty days that our Lord was here on earth,
after His resurrection, plus ten days the disciples "tarried" in
Jerusalem constitutes the fifty days before Pentecost.
It is also important to note that
those who assembled on the day of Pentecost were Jews and proselytes (Acts
2:5). They knew the meaning of Pentecost, and the risen Lord had given specific
instructions to His disciples, concerning what they were to do. When the
apostle Peter stood up to speak, he made it clear that what was happening had
been spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16).
Now, what does this teach us?
Pentecost was the anti-type of the Old Testament Feast Day.
That only Jews or proselytes were there.
That it was prophesied or spoken of in the Old Testament (Isaiah
44:1-6).
It was the day that the Holy Spirit descended and miracles attended His
descent.
The message that Peter spoke on the
day of Pentecost is not a message to be preached today in regards to our hope
or how to serve the Lord. Peter quoted repeatedly from the Old Testament to
show the Jews that Jesus was the promised Messiah and that they had crucified
their Christ (Acts 2:14-36).
It is instructive to follow the
disciples after Pentecost and follow the instructions of the Lord to them in
Acts 1:8.
"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 Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth."
The early part of the book of Acts
records the disciples following the Lord's instructions. Chapters 2 through 7
pertain mainly to Jerusalem; 8 through 12 with Judea and Samaria; and chapter
13 on with the uttermost parts of the earth.
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the
Day of Pentecost was something that had been prophesied or spoken of earlier.
The prince of prophets, Isaiah, spoke as recorded in Isaiah 44:1-6. He said in
verses 3 and 4:
"For I will pour out water upon
him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour out my spirit
upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy offspring; and they shall spring up as
among the grass as willows beside the water courses."
The Lord Jesus told His disciples of
the coming Spirit in John 14:16-17, and John 16:7-15. Then in Luke 24:49, He
told them:
"And behold I send the promise
of my Father upon you; but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem until you be
endued with power from on high."
All of this teaches us that the day
of Pentecost was a foretold or prophesied event. We see Pentecost was a Jewish
feast day and that God gathered the disciples there to receive the power of the
Holy Spirit so they might go forth with miracles and signs, proclaiming the
risen Christ as the Messiah. This they did.
Remember, the Apostle Paul had not
yet come on the scene. Also, we must understand that the message of the
epistles of Paul had not yet been given. The message that Peter preached on the
day of Pentecost was for the purpose of showing the Jewish brethren that they
had crucified their Messiah. (Acts 2:16-36). He quoted the Old Testament from
Joel 2:28-32 which also verified that God would "pour out of my spirit
upon all flesh." They were prompted of the Lord to sell all that they
possessed and to have "all things common" (Acts 2:44-45). Those who
cry "Back to Pentecost" should consider this and study the events at
Pentecost carefully.
Those persons added to the church at
that time were Jews and proselytes. It wasn't until eight years later that
Peter was instructed to go to Gentiles, and then God had to strongly command
him to do so (Acts 10:9-16). When we see that God was still dealing with His
people Israel during portions of the book of Acts, we can readily see why
miracles and signs were in evidence. The Scripture informs us:
"For the Jews require a sign,
and the Greeks seek after wisdom." (I Corinthians 1:22)
The
Apostle Paul Now Comes on the Scene
When we move "Past Pentecost to
Paul," we begin to see God unfolding an entirely new purpose. Paul was
also commanded and led of the risen Lord to inform his brethren, Israel,
concerning God's plan for them. Yet, Paul's ministry was separated from the
twelve disciples, as he was never numbered or counted among them. Matthias took
Judas' place. It is not the full intent of this article to go into depth of the
ministry of the Apostle Paul, however, it must be noted that he was peculiarly
the apostle to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1; Galatians 2:8). It was through Paul
alone that God revealed the truth that the middle wall of partition between Jew
and Gentile had been "broken down" (Ephesians 2:14). Not at
Pentecost, but through Paul did God reveal the mystery dispensation, which
tells of the Church being the Body of Christ where there is neither Jew nor
Gentile.
The first mention of the Apostle
Paul is Acts 7:58. He was called Saul at that time. The salvation, calling, and
commissioning of the Apostle Paul is a tremendous turning point in God's
dealing with people today. This can easily be accepted in that he was
tremendously used of God to pen, under inspiration of God, over half of what we
term the New Testament. He predominates the Biblical account, historically and
spiritually, from Acts 13 on. That is the reason that the serious student of
God's Word needs to have a good working knowledge of his epistles, as well as
his journeys. It is through this servant, Paul, that God reveals truth not
previously revealed. It is through him we are told:
"For by grace are ye saved
through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works,
lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We must always keep in mind the very
evident truth that most of what is commonly called the "New
Testament" was not given before or at Pentecost. We do not have to
"return to Pentecost" or try to duplicate the miraculous events that
transpired in order to be more spiritual. We must "rightly divide the Word
of Truth" (II Timothy 2:15), and distinguish between that given to Israel
and that given to the Church through Paul. What a blessing the study of God's
Word becomes when we make these distinctions and apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Some of the gracious, glorious
truths given by revelation to and through the Apostle Paul are:
That the church is the Body of Christ in which there is no distinction
made between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-18; Ephesians 3:1-11).
In Paul's Epistles we learn that the Holy Spirit baptizes, a person who
believes in Christ into the church (I Corinthians 12:13).
That the Holy Spirit comes to abide permanently in believers today (I
Corinthians 6:19-20).
That our hope as believers today is the appearing of the Lord "in
the air" to receive His Church into glory (I Thess. 4:13-18).
Truths concerning the worship, walk,
and work of believers today.
The Gospels, Pentecost, and the work
of the "twelve" were primarily in relation to God's purpose for
Israel. It is necessary to move "Past Pentecost to Paul" to fully
understand God's purpose for believers today. For example, the message Peter
proclaimed to the "house of Israel" in Acts 2:38 is different than
that proclaimed in Ephesians 2:8-9. Peter pronounced to Israel, "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." Now, read what
Paul was led of the Spirit to write in Ephesians 2:8-9:
"For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works
lest any man should boast."
We also see that there was a clear
distinction made between Jew and Gentile in the Old Testament, Gospels, and the
early Acts period. When we come to the revelation given to Paul, we see that
"middle wall" broken down and no distinction made in God's plan and
purpose for His Church, the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 2:14-18).
How wonderfully clear and enjoyable
does God's Word become, when we "rightly divide the word of truth"
(11 Timothy 2:15), and see that God is progressive in revealing truth in His
Word. We shouldn't be saying, "Back to Pentecost," but rather
"on to Paul." We must read, study, and stand on God's Word as stated
by the Apostle Paul:
"Unto me, who am less than the
least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the
Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the
fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid
in God, who created all things by Christ Jesus; to the intent that now unto the
principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God; according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in
Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by
the faith of him." (Ephesians 3:8-
Practical Applications
In conclusion, what do these
precious, priceless truths mean to all of us, whether believers or unbelievers?
First we must see and acknowledge, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profilable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all
good works." (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
These verses speak of salvation (vs.
15) and then they speak of teaching and instruction, correction and reproof
(vs. 16). The purpose is that we may be "perfect" (complete) and
properly fitted for good works for our Lord (vs. 17).
The truths concerning Pentecost and
its place and meaning in Scripture, will enable the children of God to
"grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"
and to understand His will for us today. Just as we are instructed to move from
Law to Grace in our study of the Word, we are taught to progress from Pentecost
to Pauline truth. It allows us to know more of the "grace of God that
bringeth salvation" (Titus 2:11) and "the dispensation of the grace
of God" that shows us our position as members of the Body of Christ
(Ephesians 3:9-11).
The truth about the real meaning of
Pentecost will enable us to detect and correct error and apostasy that plagues
the true work and worship of God. It also will provide answers to perplexing
problems that have plagued people for ages. Some examples would be the raising
of the dead by Peter and Paul in the Acts period. Can people be raised from the
dead by "preachers" today? What about the so called "speaking in
tongues?" Are believers to sell all their possessions and have them in
common? Must a person "repent and be baptized" in order to receive
forgiveness of sin? These type of questions could be multiplied and answers can
only be found in a right division of Scripture and embracing the progressive
nature of Scripture.
We must move on from God's dealing
with Israel at Pentecost to God's dealing with the Church, which is the Body of
Christ. The great truth that "the middle wall of partition is broken
down" (Ephesians 2:14) was not proclaimed at Pentecost but revealed to us
by the apostle Paul. The truth concerning how a sinner can be saved, wholly
apart from any form of works, is clearly and plainly given in the epistles of
Paul for this "age of grace" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
This brief account of the purpose of
Pentecost and the necessity of moving on to Paul's epistles can make a world of
difference in our understanding and enjoying the wonderful Word of God. May God
richly bless all who read this little booklet and may it be used to the glory
of God.
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do
not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10)
Mp3 Studies By Pastor Gregg Bing
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Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s
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