In the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit goes from an external presence to internal power. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came selectively, often only temporarily, upon God’s people. Some examples of this are: God sent the Spirit for a specific purpose for a specific time. Jesus Promised the Spirit John …
Unity in transition is the miracle unfolding after Jesus’ ascension, in which believers find themselves between promise and fulfillment, waiting yet together. Acts 2:1On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place.[1] Before the sound of the wind filled the house and before flames of fire rested on their heads, …
Just before ascending back to heaven, Jesus gave His followers a mission. They were called to go and tell the Gospel. Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends …
Jesus commanded His followers to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit before He ascended into heaven. Jesus emphasized the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit rather than rushing ahead. Luke 24:49And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy …
At the end of God’s instructions for the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost, He gives instructions for what we might call “Biblical welfare.” Leviticus 23: 22 “When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it …
God had told Moses to observe Pentecost from generation to generation. This is an ancient celebration, although most 21st-century Christians think Pentecost is a New Testament celebration. Leviticus 23: 20 “The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the Lord, together with the loaves representing the first of your crops. These offerings, …
Three times a year, Jerusalem filled with people as they came to celebrate the three main festivals. These were Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Festival of Shelters (fall Festival). God had commanded that His people meet at the Temple to celebrate these festivals. Deuteronomy 16: 16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three …
Pentecost symbolized a new beginning for God’s people as they left Egypt. They had moved to Egypt as families of the twelve sons of Jacob. They lived in Egypt for 430 years, most of it in slavery. As slaves, their overseers had always told them what to do. Then God came and worked through Moses …
We see a surprising and an unusual offering requirement in the Festival of Weeks. God asks for two loaves made of the flour from the new crop of wheat and made with yeast. In addition to these loaves, He also requires multiple burnt offerings, a sin offering, and a peace offering. Leviticus 23:17 From wherever you …
About fifty days after leaving Egypt, God’s people had a Mount Sinai experience. God had appeared to Moses in a burning bush on Mount Sinai as Moses was shepherding sheep. God called Moses to return to Egypt and would use him to free the Hebrew people from the Egyptians. After a short debate, God gave …