what happened before pentecost

Articles that are published in our magazine or scripting for our television programs goes through a very, very thorough review process. And allows us to then grow, because the next few verses here of 2 Peter speaks to a process of spiritual empowerment and growth and development. Acts 1 is the before section of this great book. They sold their possessions, they divided among them, they shared among those who had need. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. And so two things create this vision and this mission. United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. I began this lesson by suggesting that it is an example of a before and after presentation. And of course, one of the most dramatic scenes in all the Bible occurred with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered disciples, and the speaking in tongues, and a mighty rushing wind that we find it hard to imagine what it was like, because it's not part of our custom to try to pray that down today like some other denominations and religious forms do. I would like to look at Acts 1 in three segments: Verses 1-11 From Christs Resurrection to His Return, Verses 15-26 Filling the Vacancy left by Judas. And you will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.". These events happened in the book of Acts within the Bible and proved a major turning point in the New Testament. This united prayer lasted for another ten days after our Lords ascension.6It was during this ten-day period that a replacement was chosen for Judas. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and . It is. And over a three and a half year period they had had their lives transformed and then they'd watched Him die. What is so important about the selection of Matthias that deserves this kind of editorial space? And second, the replacement of Judas is carried out in a way that is very Old Testament.. That's the famous road to Emmaus experienced from the book of Luke, "and they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either." In the end, I think we must acknowledge that we must read between the lines a great deal to conclude that the replacement of Judas was wrong. The Roots of Pentecost . I don't think it was an intergalactic tour that He was on to get to the third heaven. Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church's mission to the world. 6We can easily deduce this since Pentecost was 50 days after Passover. Pentecost was the celebration of the beginning of the early wheat harvest, which meant that Pentecost always fell sometime during the middle of the month of May or sometimes in early June. And because both were working together, the mission and the vision, there was a remarkable picture being described here by Luke, of the Church at peace. There's a lot of information in the details that we are given in chapter 28 verse 16. At the end of John, you remember, John says, there were so many other things that He did in his life and no doubt probably part of that 40-day period that it would take volumes to teach it, and to record it during this period. If we can learn to take on the divine nature and drink that in, in our lives, then we can banish doubt, uncertainty, and fear, unbelief, that will creep in at various times as we go through our lives, and stages in the developments of life. The inference is, Dont just stand here; get going!5. What is of particular interest is that this revelation came about through the Spirit.. I am inclined to think that verses 12-14 are an apt description of the apostles activity during the entire 50-day period preceding Pentecost. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth. 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. I believe that among the many things we see in these early verses, we find that the Holy Spirits ministry in Acts a dominant theme in this book is linked to His ministry through the person of our Lord. The gospels and the book of Acts tell us that would-be zealots and messiahs had come and gone. In the Old Testament Pentecost was the feast which occurred fifty days after Passover. If we begin to look at one another as less than trustworthy, then that has other consequences in relationships, and that's taking place among the disciples here at this moment. By inference, this second volume is the account of all that Jesus continued to do and to teach, through His apostles. It is rooted in the Word of God. Let me last observe that Acts 1 is the beginning of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in Acts. It is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church. We can internalize that and think that through. What do we do now? 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting,the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off. Fourth, the Holy Spirit is portrayed as the Author of the Old Testament Scriptures.He is the One who inspired the words of David in the psalms: 16 Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judaswho became the guide for those who arrested Jesus (Acts 1:16). I happen to think that they, no doubt during this period of time, as the days go on they talked and they read. 14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:12-14). He understood that, and again, He is just laying it out that they were troubled and there was doubt. This was something that was spiritual in nature, that bound them together and they prayed, they studied the Scripture, and they praised God, it says, and because of that, their example caused them to have favor with people and others were drawn to their example at that time. He quotes Joel, he quotes Psalms and he gives interpretations upon those scriptures, here in chapter 1, no one had ever heard of before. 4 So Barnabas and Saul,sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus (Acts 13:1-4, emphasis mine). Put another way, the same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus as He gave the Great Commission is the One who will empower the apostles (and the church) to carry out this command. Why does Luke spend as much time (12 verses) describing this one event as he does depicting the 40 days of our Lords appearances on the earth (11 verses)? Even though they had seen miracles, again, another indication to us always to remember that miracles are important, miracles can be faith-builders, but miracles by themselves will not do it all. "Makeover" programs turn proverbial ugly ducklings into swans. It goes on, "Jesus came and He spoke to them saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. It's God's Spirit that is the only thing that we can have to overcome those fears, because really, it's all the Church of God has ever had. That's a little-understood part of what was taking place. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20, emphasis mine). We are told in verse 2 that Jesus gave orders by the Holy Spirit. But on that morning as they gathered, made their preparations, put on their clothes, walked to the location where they all were gathered, and they were about 120 disciples as chapter 1 of Acts tells us, they no doubt had a lot on their mind. They were with Him and they asked Him in verse 6, "Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" The Greek word means "fifty" and refers to the fifty days that have elapsed since the wave offering of Passover. 1 I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth . Hymns sung at Pentecost take the Holy Spirit as their theme, and include: The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove. They stood there, transfixed. 3You will note that I do not use the termdisciplesto refer to the eleven here, or the twelve elsewhere in Acts. Christ in you, the hope of glory. And so Luke's account brings this together. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Luke then tells his readers that these two men were sent out by the Holy Spirit. No, He said wait till, wait in Jerusalem, and so they were there and they continued. And not for the reality that the 1st century world would have known and experienced, that other dimension. The Church was given favor, we're told, as they demonstrated these fruits and others were added. I think there are two things that are clear, and that should dominate our thinking. If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well. Apostle Peter explains the meaning of what was happening on the Day of Pentecost. In his last face-to-face meeting with the Ephesian elders, Paul spoke to them about their responsibilities as shepherds. Volume 1 the Gospel of Luke is the description of all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen(verse 1b-2a). Jesus was coming back, just as they saw Him depart. But I had to go to St. Louis about 100 miles north of my hometown and pick up what they called an express bus, that would go through the larger cities. And more specifically for this group that they would be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth being fulfilled. 7 But if the ministry that produced deathcarved in letters on stone tabletscame with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective), 8 how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be? 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. This should come as no surprise because the Great Commission of Matthew also referred to all three members of the Godhead: 18 Then Jesus came up and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Transcript Darris McNeely Beyond Today Presenter Again, what they thought that they were becoming a part of was a movement that was noble, that was good, there had been many movements of other Messiah-type figures at this period of time in Judea. He boasted of his victory over Israel, and we read, The king of Israel replied, Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off (1 Kings 20:11).2, The point is that one should not boast before his victory, but should wait until after. As we have received the gift of God's Spirit, as those on that first day of Pentecost received the gift of the Holy Spirit were brought into the Church, they became, and so are we, partakers of the divine nature. Did they doubt what they were seeing? Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to assume the task of this service and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. 26 Then they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias; so he was counted with the eleven apostles (Acts 1:15-26). "And they looked steadfastly in toward heaven," verse 10, "as He went up, and behold two men stood by them in white apparel." And then it came to an end, it came to a close. That is what caused them to banish their fear, trouble, doubt, and unbelief: Christ in them through the Holy Spirit. That's how we live the Word, that's how we drink in the Word, and it changes our life and it banishes the fear, gives us confidence in who we are and what we are to do. And we can be about the work that we see that the Church did then and has always done, of taking the message of salvation and of repentance to life, to people who need that message. 1. But isnt Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit really a matter of authority, a legitimate matter of authority? 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [Darris McNeely] On the morning of Pentecost 31 AD, what do you think was going through the minds of the assembled disciples in Jerusalem? That is what we shall seek to discover in our study. In 2 Corinthians 3 and 4, Paul makes the same point, showing how much more glorious the New Covenant is to the Old and that New Testament ministry is to the old, because of the Holy Spirit. That they're not drunk, that this is of God. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. So it's something for us to examine in our own way, see how much of that is being demonstrated in our life. ), Two angels suddenly appear near them. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.". Well, that's a sign that I should go here, take this job, do this or do that. But miracles, well, that just takes a little bit more work, but they were here in the midst of a very large miracle. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 2 in theStudies in the Book of Actsseries prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on September 25, 2005. Though the emperor, a man named Tiberius, had been holed up on an island called Capri or Capri for a number of years in absentia, the empire was running quite well on its own. And if those are the weapons of our warfare, then we can handle them. Other scholars have tackled this problem and have proposed solutions. People need to see that Spirit within us. Up until this point, Paul (known as Saul until now) was clearly Barnabas assistant. Consider these elements: First we find the doctrine of the Trinityin the first chapter, which speaks of the Father (1:4), the Son (1:4, etc. In Acts 13 while those at the church in Antioch were fasting, the Holy Spirit indicated that Barnabas and Saul should be set apart and sent out as missionaries. From Psalm 69, they recognized that Judas betrayal was part of the divine plan. Jesus had already gone back to Heaven so the disciples and new believers of Jesus were waiting to receive the Holy Spirit because that's what Jesus told them would happen. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 9 For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory! It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Two things we can summarize to show what was the key to bring about this scene that we see here at the end of chapter 2 in Acts. He said He wouldn't and He didn't, even though there was a moment in time when they thought that they were orphaned, as they stood gazing up and looking and wondering, "What do we do next. 7The apparent contradictions between this account and that of Matthew 27:3-10 are not insurmountable. The world of the 1st century was very much tied into an awareness that there was a spirit world, and a lot different than even we today, we see a spirit world today in media and entertainment form. Pentecost, also called Whitsunday, (Pentecost from Greek pentecost, "50th day"), major festival in the Christian church, celebrated on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. Apparently, two angelic figures appeared to them as the disciples were kind of watching Christ go. If I were to summarize it, it would probably be like this: Your mission until I return is to preach the gospel to all nations. Let's go into Luke's account. It is a remarkable period of church history, because right here we have a vision being fulfilled that Jesus Christ has for His Church. First few verses of Acts chapter 1, beginning in verse 3, Luke in his prologue to the account as he writes to this man named Theophilus, about all that had been done by Jesus until the day in which He was taken up through the Holy Spirit and had given commandments to the apostles, whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during 40 days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God., So Luke gives us an explicit reference point that this went on. And perhaps like you and I would today, we might look at it as a little bit odd. And there was fear of the unknown, of what was going to take place, fear of the future. They were alone. One of the popular themes in contemporary advertising is that of before and after. There are the weight loss programs, which exhibit the most unflattering photo they can find to present as before their program was attempted. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? Zechariah's prophecy in chapter 14 shows that Christ will, on that day, set foot on the Mount of Olives. And it just caused them to proverbially tear their clothes and rush at them and ultimately to the point of Stephen and they stoned him. All of these qualities are to the divine nature, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. The religious leaders were quick to take note of the limitations of the apostles, and yet had to reluctantly acknowledge something powerful about their ministry: 13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus. Before the church could begin Jesus had to die, rise again, and then ascend into heaven. That's what the gift of the Holy Spirit is for us. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:3-9). The NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, also known as THE NET BIBLE, is a completely new translation of the Bible, not a revision or an update of a previous English version. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there. During the Temple period, the first fruits of the harvest were brought to the Temple, and two loaves of bread made from the new wheat were offered . Pentecost will instead be fulfilled at the Rapture of the Body of Christ The Mystery Age - One New Man, the Church, the Bride of Christ During the period until Israel does accept Jesus as Messiah to bring about His return, the time of preparation of a bride for Christ has been extended and the mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues. In times past, though I have not seen this as much lately, we saw the before and after of advertising for weight gain. Let us give thought to the way Luke prepares us for what is yet to come. This process will never be seen again in the rest of the New Testament. They need to see within us, Jesus Christ. Pentecost starts in a locked room with believers waiting. They had come up against the two most powerful authorities of their day in their world. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? Bold, Men and brethren, he begins to explain what's happened. The last holy day season, the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread had seen the death of Jesus Christ, and then three days later He was resurrected and He had appeared to them. 9He does not forbid taking any action until Pentecost; He merely forbids the apostles to leave Jerusalem (in carrying out the Great Commission) until after Pentecost. We have a very involved, and very good, and a very detailed review process at many different levels of our writings, of our speaking in the United Church of God today. Verses 1-11 describe what happened during that 40-day period between our Lords resurrection and His ascension. We know that unified prayer preceded this process (1:14); indeed prayer was a part of the process (see 1:24-25). Long before modern advertising, the Bible had its own versions of "before" and "after." 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Some Christian denominations consider it the birthday of the Christian church and celebrate it as such. It was a gentle rebuke, if a rebuke at all. Who wouldnt want to look like that? This is the dimension that was given on Pentecost, and what this day is all about for those of us who are the firstfruits. As the story goes in Acts, just before his departure, Jesus reiterates to his disciples that they should wait for the Spirit. And so they had become a part of something that again, they were still trying to understand. 13 ThenPaul and his companionsput out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:9-13, emphasis mine). We should also observe that among this group were the brothers of our Lord (Acts 1:14). Pentecost is a happy festival. This is the threefold commission that is given to this group of disciples where they are to be witnesses of Him in the city of Jerusalem, and Judea, and Samariathe wider region of the country, look at it as kind of the wider counties of the country of Israel at the timeand then ultimately, to the end of the earth, to take the Gospel and to be a witness of God, to do this. This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). He was interested in the gospel, but a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus (or Elymas) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the truth. Our text also reminds us that whenever God commands us to do something, He will provide all that we need to carry out His command. Some of the women mentioned in Acts 1:14 may well have been those who accompanied Jesus and His disciples, and who also contributed to His support (Luke 8:1-3). This should also be our focus before Pentecost and before Jesus Christ's return. Far more people than they could have ever imagined and Peter gets up and gives the sermon of his life. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Pentecost was unmistakable because of its three distinct phenomena, which served to make it perfectly clear that Jesus had indeed come to His people by His Spirit. I think it was because Jesus had revealed the mystery of the church to them. The search for Judas replacement was prompted, at least in part, by the consideration of some Old Testament Scriptures (Psalm 69:25; 109:8). But as Christ begins to give them the teaching from the Scriptures, of how He had fulfilled literally, in every way, the scriptures about the Messiah. First, there was an unmistakable "sound like a mighty rushing wind" that "filled the entire house" where the believers had gathered. And it is in that, we reach the real nexus, the real critical point of our life before God, where we recognize that, with the Holy Spirit, we are taking on the very nature of God, the divine nature. Though a miracle had taken place in front of them, that still wasn't enough to remove the doubt and fear. I wonder if more people came to Jerusalem for Pentecost in that year because of what had happened 50 days earlier, plus three, and they had heard about that. Church services on this day are marked by red robes and banners signifying the fiery winds of the Holy Spirit. She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned and wept." What did they do during that 10 days? And so Christ gives them teaching and He gives them understanding. He also is a residentfaculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Between the Easter and Pentecost, there's a span of 50 days. So there is going to be a gap. And that power would be what would begin to banish the fear, the troubling, doubt, that they had, coupled with the Word of God that they were to have. And this dramatic miracle, but beyond that, 3,000 people being added to the Church, and then a community being developed. Jesus informed them that they had (or would have) all the knowledge they needed. So that when they came to that morning of Pentecost and this mighty event takes place, they were ready then to move into the experience provided, and that extra dimension of power that the Spirit of God would give them and did give to them, and Peter takes the lead to give the sermon of his life. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Acts 2. What was the doubt that was nagging away at them even as they saw Him, and even worshiped Him, knowing that they as they did know that He had died, and yet there was doubt? Mark chapter 16, verse 9, now, "When He rose early on the first day of the week," speaking of Christ's resurrection. It's an informed sermon. The English word "Pentecost" is a transliteration of the Greek word pentekostos, which means "fifty.". Luke chapter 24. These are the ones who are not defiled with women, they are virgins, spiritual virgins. During the 50 days after Jesus' death, He had many interactions with his Disciples and followers, providing them with guidance and . The Holy Spirit would internally indict sinners regarding the righteousness of Christ because He cannot be seen any longer. Of course, on the day that He died there had been an earthquake, the sun had turned to dark at midday, people had come out of their graves and it had set Jerusalem all abuzz. But let's go back, let's look at a few of these scriptures in a little bit more detail and see exactly what had been taking place among the disciples during this period of time, that brought them to that morning of Pentecost. In 2 Peter chapter 1, 2 Peter chapter 1, Peter writes, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you and the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Think of it! And what happened? Let me explain why I have reached this conclusion. When the apostles asked Jesus regarding the timing of the coming of the kingdom of God, they appear to indicate that they know the kingdom will be set aside for a time: So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6).

How Many Flights Per Day In Dubai Airport 2019, Articles W