Of all the magnificent events initiated by God, the Creator of the heavens and earth, perhaps what He did on the Day of Pentecost stands at the top of His list.
The Day of Pentecost was the fruition, or the manifestation of God’s deepest desire - He yearned for spirit filled men and women to fellowship with. This was initiated thousands of years ago just after the fall of man.
The Day of Pentecost was the fruition of all that the lord Jesus Christ accomplished through his life, death, resurrection and ascension.
The Day of Pentecost is the fruition of the One Body of Christ, the Church with Jesus Christ at the head.
The Day of Pentecost was the fruition of the opportunity for each and every man and woman to believe upon Jesus Christ as lord and that God raised him from the dead, so that they could receive the eternal new birth realities.
The last recorded words of Jesus Christ before he ascended up into heaven sets the greatness of what occurred on the Day of Pentecost.
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 all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This statement was not some new concept that Jesus Christ was commencing. Jesus Christ had already prepared his followers to receive the gift of holy spirit and power prior to this time.
John 16:7:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
There are many other times that Christ talked of the coming gift of holy spirit or the “comforter”. After his resurrection he appeared to his followers a number of times prior to his ascension. During this time the major focus was preparing his disciples for the glorious time that the gift of holy spirit would be made available.
Luke 24:49:
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
It took 10 days of waiting, but it was well worth it for on the Day of Pentecost God’s dream of dreams occurred.
Acts 2:4:
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Man for the first time ever was filled with this gift of holy spirit that was eternal. Prior to this time, holy spirit was upon them at various times so they could minister with the power of God. But that was a temporary setup. Now, holy spirit was in them permanently. The greatness of this fantastic gift was revealed later in the Church Epistles. They were to learn that the fullness of this reality was Christ in them the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). They could now fully identify with Jesus Christ.
The purpose of the Church Epistles was to teach those born again of God’s spirit who they were in Christ and the astounding power they had via the nine manifestations of holy spirit.
The Purpose of Pentecost
The purpose of Pentecost was to introduce the new birth realities that reflected God’s passion to have people filled with His eternal spirit so He could have fellowship with them.
Secondly, we witness God’s desire that everyone, from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth, have the opportunity “to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4).
Together these two purposes combine together a whole new lifestyle and goal for those who want to fellowship with God Almighty.
A whole new manifestation, speaking in tongues, was introduced in a most unique way.
God chose speaking in tongues to usher in the Church age. On that initial out pouring of holy spirit the apostles were speaking in a language of men or angels (I Corinthians 13:1) and it so happened that visitors from around the known world, visiting Jerusalem for this important feast time, heard these Galileans speaking in their own language the “wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11).
Most important about speaking in tongues is that it is speaking directly to God and praying in the spirit.
I Corinthians 14:2a:
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:
I Corinthians 14:14:
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Another important purpose of Pentecost is to fulfill God’s life long desire “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4).
On that first day, many of the foreign people were exposed to the new birth. They heard the Apostles speaking in tongues which they understood to be the “wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:11). Peter and the rest of the disciples were dedicated with the charge to hold forth God’s Word to the “utter most parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). The whole of the book of Acts is exactly that – the disciples reaching out to the known world so that others could be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4).
You and I are a dynamic part of God’s purpose of Pentecost. Every member of the Body of Christ plays an important role in living the fullness of being born again, fellowshipping with the Father and moving His Word over the world.
- Bob Lindfelt
“Pentecost consummated the purpose of Jesus Christ entire life,…”
Ten days later when the day of Pentecost was fully come, the twelve apostles were given the comforter and received into manifestation power from on high. This was the beginning of the Church to which you and I belong. For the first time the gift of holy spirit was poured out on believers. Jesus Christ’s life had been leading up to this great pinnacle in human history, and with this outpouring came the culmination of what he had come to make available. Pentecost consummated the purpose of Jesus Christ’s entire life, …
From Jesus Christ Our Passover by Victor Paul Wierwille; Pages 403 and 404.
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