An Overview of Pentecost: What It Teaches Us
A Study Outline
I.Pentecost is a pivotal point in the Father’s establishment of His kingdom on the earth.
II.It is one of the three major Feast days when all of the males were to gather in Jerusalem(Deuteronomy 16:16).
III.The parallels of the law given to ancient Israel and the spirit given to Israel in Christ’s timeare apparent.
A.“External Law”. The giving of the law to ancient Israel. Exodus 19:5-6: 20:1-21.
“Now, therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant,then you shall be a peculiar treasureunto Me above all people, for all theearth is Mine; and you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priestsand a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak unto the children of Israel”(Exodus 19:5-6).
-
-
- What is established here is a …
-
1. Peculiar treasure
2. Kingdom of priests
3. Holy nation
4. People above all people
-
-
- The nation would be blessed merely by keeping the laws of God without having thoselaws written within their hearts. Leviticus 26:1-13.
- Of course, God preferred to have those laws written in their hearts. Numbers 11:23-29.
- A physical nation was established.
-
1.Laws (the laws, commandments, statutes, and judgements)
2.Territory (the land of Canaan, to be given by God to them)
3.Leaders (prophets and judges, to be in direct contact with God)
4.Subjects (the descendants of Jacob)
B.“Internal Law”. The giving of the law to “modern” Israel, the descendants of those inExodus. I Peter 2:9-12; Jeremiah 31:31-37; Hebrews 8:7-13.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, apeculiar people, that you should show forth the promises of Him who hascalled you out of darkness into marvelous light; which in times past were nota people but are now the people of God, which had not obtained mercy butnow have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2:9-10).
-
-
- What is established here is the same as for ancient Israel at Mount Sinai.
-
1.Peculiar people
2.Royal priesthood
3.Holy nation
4.Chosen generation
-
-
- The nation would be blessed by keeping the laws of God that would be written intheir hearts. Jeremiah 31:31-37; Hebrews 8:7-13; Acts 2:1-4.
- This will ultimately include allpeople that have descended from Israel. Romans11:25-26.
- This new covenant is nothing more than the same law as given in ancient Israel atMount Sinai, but is now written in the hearts of those whom the Father calls (John6:44).
- Jesus Christ showed the saints how to keep the intentof the law, in no way to doaway with it. Matthew 5:17-19.
- A spiritual nation was established which the Father has prepared to rule the entireearth. The disciples after the ressurection of Christ were waiting for the re-establishment of the physical nation of Israel. Acts 1:6-8. Christ did not in any way deny itwould be established in the course of time, and Peter went on to describe it in moredetail in Acts 3:18-26.
- To establish the spiritual nation of Israel, the spirit of God had to first be poured out“upon all flesh” (Acts 2:14-17; Joel 2:28-29) in preparation for the final rulership ofJesus Christ and these appointed saints over all the earth, from Israel (Rev. 7:1-8), andfrom “all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues” (Rev. 7:9-17).
- This new world ruling government will be a reinstitution of Eden over all the earth.
-
1.Laws (the laws, commandments, statutes, and judgements)
2Territory (all of the earth)
3.Leaders (the saints assisting people of all nations to live in the joy of JesusChrist’s and the Father’s perfect ways; no government of men ruling over men)
4.No subjects, but all people responsible directly to the Creator; all human hierarchies are gone