Class Notes: 6/10/2009

A completely new relationship between God and man was launched at Pentecost

We are continuing in our study where we are discussing the relationship between the Jewish Feasts and the events of the First Advent of TLJC that launched the church age.

We have seen that the Jewish Feasts that relate to the events of the First Advent of TLJC are Passover, Unleavened Bread: First Fruits and Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell and fill believers universally providing the power for unique spiritual life for believers in the church age.

We have seen that the model and precedence for this unique spiritual life was established by TLJC during his life on this earth in unglorified humanity at the beginning of the hypostatic union. Heb 10:5; Heb 12:2a;

Last time we stopped where we were discussing the events of Pentecost that occurred 10 days after our Lord's ascension and session at the right hand of the Father that initiated the church age with the unique ministry of God the Holy Spirit on the earth.

The Spirit's baptizing ministry is unique to the church age and first occurred at Pentecost Acts 1:5; cf. Acts 11:14-16.

The fact that no regenerated believer in the Old Testament was ever baptized in this way is evident from the fact that John the Baptist announced this spiritual operation would be a future event. Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16-17;

This event was to be effected by the completed redemptive work of Christ, who, as the Provider of Redemption and the Giver of the gift of the Spirit was declared by John the Baptizer to be the one who would Baptize with the Holy Spirit John 1:33.

After the Spirit's advent at Pentecost, He is described as the agent of baptism throughout the church age. 1 Cor 12:13;.

While there are other baptisms that are practiced, the only real and efficacious baptism is spirit baptism. All others are simply meaningless ritual without reality.

The events described on Pentecost were not only due to the baptism of the Spirit, but were also the result of the filling ministry of the Spirit Acts 2:4;.

The baptism is the basis of the filling, but is not the filling itself. The filling is a separate work of the Spirit that initially occurs simultaneously with the baptism.

A believer is filled with the spirit at salvation by Grace through Faith alone when they are baptized with the spirit, but that initial filling is lost the moment the believer subsequently commits any personal sin.

The filling is subsequently restored whenever any known personal sin is simply acknowledged to God. 1John 1:9;

In the Church age, the filling of the Spirit is spirituality.

Pentecost therefore teaches that there will be many subsequent fillings as the believer applies the first problem solving device of acknowledging any known sin.

The Spirit's sealing and indwelling ministries are unique to the church age.
Old Testament saints are never described as being "sealed for the day of redemption," as in the case of all believers in the church age. Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30 ; 2Cor 1:22;.

The function of the Spirit in the Old Testament among Old Testament believers was not universal or permanent as it is today as shown by Psa 51:11; when contrasted with Rom 8:9; 1Cor 6:19-20;

Pentecost is therefore not only the occasion not for the arrival, and the establishment of the residence of the Spirit upon the earth, but of also the filling of the newly formed church by the spirit. Acts 2:4;.

These events were the first demonstration of the spiritual privileges and the unique spiritual life that believers in the church age were to have.

In the Old Testament the Spirit sovereignty came upon a few warriors, kings, prophets, and mighty men who were temporarily endued by the Spirit to perform some special task.
This included such visible heroes as Gideon Judg 6:34, Amasai 1 Chron 12:18, Samson Judg 14:6, David 1 Sam 16:13; and Saul 1Sam 16:14;

Pentecost, however was the start of a new age where every believer, no matter how poor, humble, or obscure, would be constantly indwelt with the Spirit and given the mandate to be "filled with the Spirit." as invisible heroes.

This is the reason for the emphasis upon the filling of the spirit today. Eph 5:18;
What warriors, kings, prophets and mighty men had only temporarily is now unconditionally and universally given to every believer. Acts 2:17-18;

Pentecost was the first historical occurrence of the baptism of the Spirit and the resultant formation of the church. Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; and Acts 11:14-16 with 1Cor 12:13 and Eph 1:22-23
The church, the Royal family of God is formed by the Spirit's baptism, and could not be formed prior to the time he was sent at Pentecost.

It was necessary for the work of TLJC to be completed and for him to be seated at the right hand of the Father before his new Royal Family could be initiated.

The events of Acts 2 provide documentation for the historical event. Paul's epistles give the doctrinal explanation for it 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 1:22-23; Eph 4:4-5;

This makes Pentecost, the "birthday of the church."

The believing disciples and converts under Peter's preaching were formed into a new spiritual body. Since then, whenever and wherever anyone believes in TLJC as their Savior, they also become a partaker of that baptism and are joined by the Spirit to the one body, the church.

Pentecost, therefore represents the beginning of a new economy or dispensation in God's relationship with mankind.

Those who fail to see this fact cannot possibly have an accurate doctrinal understanding of the meaning of the events of Pentecost or understand the unique spiritual life of the church age.

Only in the view of the rescinding of the Dispensation of Israel and the Mosaic law that was signified by the death of TLJC on the cross and the tearing of the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place Matt 27:51, can the true meaning of Pentecost be understood.
These events marked the beginning of a new age that provides believers with unrestricted access to God. Heb 4:16; because of the finished work of TLJC and his session at the right hand of the Father.

The intervening fifty days were a transition period before the Holy Spirit was given universally to all believers.

In preparation for that event, TLJC sovereignly gave the Spirit to His disciples. This is described in John 20:22b; He did this so that they would be able to receive His teaching during the forty days preceding His ascension and to carry them through till the day of Pentecost. Acts 1:1-3; John 16:12-13;

It is in connection with the commencement of this new economy in God's relationship with mankind that the visible supernatural phenomena of fire, wind, and the speaking in foreign languages of Pentecost are to be understood.

They were the outward visible signals that the new age was being launched.
The Age of Israel was introduced in a similar way with fire, smoke, and earthquakes as Mount Sinai was wrapped in flame Exod 19:18.

Similarly, the future kingdom age will be inaugurated with signs of fire, smoke, and celestial disturbances accompanied by an outpouring of the Spirit similar to what occurred Pentecost Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21;

The events described in Acts 2:5-13; were therefore not only an opportunity for the evangelization of the Jews, but was also a public demonstration that a new age with a new relationship between God and man was being launched.

No longer would God's work be directed specifically toward Israel as was the case in dispensation of Israel.

Pentecost was the beginning of the outreach of the gospel to all people in every nation on the earth. Acts 1:8.

It is important to understand that only the Jews observed Pentecost because at the time, Gentiles were not yet being admitted into membership into the church unless they were associated with the Jews as Jewish proselytes.

The result of Pentecost was that the Gentiles were equally included although not immediately.
The Gospel went out from Judea Acts 1:8; and the Samaritans were included as recorded in Acts 8:14-23, and all Gentiles began to be universally included nearly 10 years later as recorded in Acts 10:1-48;

Pentecost, therefore signals the opening of equal privilege and equal opportunity for all mankind. The preaching of this gospel would be the means of calling out a new people for God's name in the new age that was being inaugurated. Acts 15:14-18;

At Pentecost, TLJC began to form up his new Royal Family, the church, as he had prophesied in. Matt 16:18;

Pentecost also represents the beginning of the fifth cycle of discipline on Israel and the time of Israel's dispersion throughout the gentile nations. One of the functions of the gentile client nation is the preservation of Israel in their dispersion.

Israel will not officially be regathered by God into a nation until TLJC returns at his second advent. Zech 10:8-10;

© Copyright 2024, Michael Lemmon Bible Ministries. World Rights Reserved.