Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, is the next appointed feast of Israel on the calendar. Pentecost was necessary to the Church in order to keep the directives, also known as The Great Commission, that the risen Jesus, gave to His disciples while appearing to them. Pentecost is also the fulfillment of the prophetic promise of God as told to His prophet, Joel. As we shall see, this prophecy was for the end time, so its fulfillment is a very important event in discerning the times in which we live.
Jesus' commands to His disciples were specific, and must have sounded to their ears virtually impossible for them to achieve, as they were already struggling with doubt (Mk. 16:14):
"And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age). Amen...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached every where, the LORD working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:15-20
As we look at The Great Commission of Christ that was given to His disciples, and all of the Church, there are several important points to understand.
The directives were born out of the POWER that Christ had been given in heaven and in earth.
The disciples were to go and teach all nations, and preach the gospel to every creature. From this point on, the gospel was also to go to the gentiles, as well as the Jews (first:Rom. 1:16), and to all creation. The Kingdom of God is made up of every race, tribe, and tongue (Rev. 5:9, 14:6). Racism and prejudice do not belong in the Church, and are not acceptable in any society that claims a Judeo-Christian heritage.
The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught them-man's doctrines and traditions have nothing to do with Christ's directives.
Because the disciples were fulfilling the commands of Jesus, they would have protection in their work. This is not an invitation to put on displays with serpents and poisons, as some practice. Several incidents in scripture depict the fact that the disciples were delivered from death that would have resulted from the performing of their Commission.
The signs that would confirm the Word of Christ, would follow believers, not just those who are of a certain rank in the Church, but all who believe. This Word of the gospel casts out demons, and causes the sick to recover, not just then, but also now and forever. These signs don't follow and confirm tradition, or religion, but the Word, which is Jesus.
On the last occasion when Christ would discuss His directions, having shown Himself to them for forty days following His crucifixion, He began to reveal how these simple men from Galilee would be able to carry out this world-changing Commission that He had given them:
"And being assembled together with them, (Jesus) commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence....ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:4-8 (excerpt)
"And being assembled together with them, (Jesus) commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence....ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:4-8 (excerpt)
The power to fulfill the Commission which Jesus gave not only to those disciples, but also to all believers, comes by the baptism with the Holy Ghost. This baptism, which the disciples must wait for, is the one prophesied and promised by God, and we will read the details of that prophecy later. Because of this description of the baptism given by Jesus, the disciples also asked Him if this meant the kingdom was being restored to Israel at that time (v. 6). As we know from history and scripture, Israel was under the dominion of the Romans. Jesus answered that it was not for them to know what the Father has kept in His own power and authority.
After this appearance by Jesus, the disciples saw Him ascend into heaven, and two men, clothed in white, appeared to tell them that Jesus would come again in the same manner that they had just witnessed Him ascending, directly from heaven (v. 10-11). This is important for us to know, because in these last days, we have heard many claiming to be a messiah figure, some even claiming to be Christ, and others will make the claim in the days ahead. However, according to these verses, the only true Christ will come from heaven through the clouds when He returns.
After this appearance by Jesus, the disciples saw Him ascend into heaven, and two men, clothed in white, appeared to tell them that Jesus would come again in the same manner that they had just witnessed Him ascending, directly from heaven (v. 10-11). This is important for us to know, because in these last days, we have heard many claiming to be a messiah figure, some even claiming to be Christ, and others will make the claim in the days ahead. However, according to these verses, the only true Christ will come from heaven through the clouds when He returns.
A few days later, on the day of Pentecost, as the disciples gathered together in one place, and in one accord, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as promised by the Father, and assured by the Son, fell upon them. A sound (voice) from heaven, and a mighty wind filled the place. This baptism appeared as fire upon each one. The Spirit gave them the utterance of other tongues as they were filled. There were many witnesses to this supernatural event. Devout Jewish pilgrims from many nations were in Jerusalem and at the same location, because the tomb of David was located below the place where the disciples had gathered. (It is still there to this day.) All of these pilgrims from other lands heard the disciples proclaiming the wonderful works of God in all of the foreign tongues represented by the pilgrims. These witnesses were astounded because it was obvious that the disciples were Galileans, and not familiar with all of the various languages with which they spoke (Acts 2:11). The witnesses wondered how it was possible that they were hearing the gospel in their own languages.Some thought they were witnessing drunkenness.
Peter, once a frightened man who had denied Christ three times, now stood and addressed the crowd with boldness and with scriptural knowledge. He told them that what they had just witnessed was not drunkenness, but the fulfillment of the promise that God had made through His prophet, Joel:
"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: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy...And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."
Acts 2:17-21 (excerpt)
This Holy Ghost outpouring witnessed by many that day, and explained by Peter, was also one of the signs and wonders that would precede that "great and notable day of the Lord", according to Joel's prophecy (v. 19-20).
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not just for two thousand years ago, but is for us also. This power from heaven still enables each believer to fulfil the Commission of Christ. Signs and wonders still follow and confirm the teaching and preaching of the Word.
As we approach Pentecost, let each of us faithfully walk in this baptism. Let us seriously return to Pentecost, and pray for the unity of the faith, and the stature of Christ among us. Let us pray for our nation, and for the repentance and revival that leads to eternal life. Neither the problems of the world, nor the solutions, are political, but spiritual, and the ministry to these things is in the hands of the believers in Christ, filled with the Pentecost Spirit of God.
If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, nor the baptism of the Holy Spirit, both are available to you today. All you have to do is ask:
"Lord Jesus, I believe You Word and Your promises to me, and I ask that You come into my heart, and cleanse me from my sins. Fill me with the Holy Ghost fire from heaven, promised by the Father. Fulfill in me the Feast of Pentecost, so I can have the power to live in Your righteousness, and minister Your saving truth to others in these last days. Thank You for the precious gifts that You died, and rose from the dead, to provide for me. I ask and receive this in Jesus' name, Amen."
To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the new book: "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To hear/Watch this complete Message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsxu1uxnBkc
Peter, once a frightened man who had denied Christ three times, now stood and addressed the crowd with boldness and with scriptural knowledge. He told them that what they had just witnessed was not drunkenness, but the fulfillment of the promise that God had made through His prophet, Joel:
"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: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy...And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."
Acts 2:17-21 (excerpt)
This Holy Ghost outpouring witnessed by many that day, and explained by Peter, was also one of the signs and wonders that would precede that "great and notable day of the Lord", according to Joel's prophecy (v. 19-20).
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not just for two thousand years ago, but is for us also. This power from heaven still enables each believer to fulfil the Commission of Christ. Signs and wonders still follow and confirm the teaching and preaching of the Word.
As we approach Pentecost, let each of us faithfully walk in this baptism. Let us seriously return to Pentecost, and pray for the unity of the faith, and the stature of Christ among us. Let us pray for our nation, and for the repentance and revival that leads to eternal life. Neither the problems of the world, nor the solutions, are political, but spiritual, and the ministry to these things is in the hands of the believers in Christ, filled with the Pentecost Spirit of God.
If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, nor the baptism of the Holy Spirit, both are available to you today. All you have to do is ask:
"Lord Jesus, I believe You Word and Your promises to me, and I ask that You come into my heart, and cleanse me from my sins. Fill me with the Holy Ghost fire from heaven, promised by the Father. Fulfill in me the Feast of Pentecost, so I can have the power to live in Your righteousness, and minister Your saving truth to others in these last days. Thank You for the precious gifts that You died, and rose from the dead, to provide for me. I ask and receive this in Jesus' name, Amen."
To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the new book: "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To hear/Watch this complete Message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsxu1uxnBkc
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