Last lesson we saw that our Lord had opened the mind of the
disciples (Lk.24:45)
then spoke to them regarding the Kingdom of God for 40 of the 50
days between the Feasts of Unleavened bread and Weeks, Pentecost (Acts
1:1-3).
The
disciples were not confused and ignorant men; they knew exactly what
Pentecost was about, it concerned Israel and its coming Kingdom on
the earth.
Some
Christians think that the term �the Kingdom of God� really means
�the church�. The dominion of the Lord Christ Jesus will extend
from the heights of heaven to the earth but up until the time of the
opening of the book of Acts the Lord had not revealed anything
regarding the heavenly aspect of his kingdom. The heavenly aspect
was given to Paul much later than this. We must not read into Acts,
truths given later.
We
remember that after forty days speaking by the Lord, and His command
to tarry in Jerusalem until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit,
the disciples had one question and one question only. And this
question is asked in the light of Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy
Spirit;
Act 1:6
Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord,
do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
Tradition links this baptism of the Holy Spirit with �the church�
but the educated and illuminated disciples linked it with the
restored Kingdom to Israel. Which is true?
Many
Christians are surprised to learn that supernatural gifts were given
at the first Pentecost around Mt. Sinai and we shall look at these
when we get back to the Feasts.
We
must stand with the Word of God. The disciples were correct in their
question and later, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit,
Peter says this;
Act 3:17
And now, brothers, I know that you did it through ignorance, as also
your rulers did.
Act 3:18
But those things which God before had shown by the mouth of all His
prophets, that Christ should suffer, He fulfilled in this manner.
Act 3:19
Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out,
when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord.
Act 3:20
And He shall send Jesus Christ, who before was proclaimed to you,
Act 3:21
whom Heaven truly needs to receive until the times of
restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth
of His holy prophets since the world began.
We do
not restore something by bringing in something entirely new or
different. Peter refers to the times of �refreshing� or revival for
Israel and the times of �restoration� which the prophets spoke about
and friends the prophets spoke about the restoration of Israel not
�the church�. So the question in Acts 1:6 is still in the mind of
Peter in Acts 3:17-21 after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The
Lord used a similar term in this passage;
Mat 19:28
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that you who have
followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in
the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Pentecost is one of the Feats given to Israel and it therefore
foreshadowed something for that nation. The Lord gave Israel
commands concerning the Feasts and this one is very relevant to this
examination;
Deu 16:16
Three times in a year shall all your males appear before Jehovah
your God in the place which He shall choose: in the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of
Tabernacles. And they shall not appear before Jehovah empty,
In the
times of the NT, Jerusalem was swollen with pilgrims from the known
world and Luke mentions these in the second chapter;
Act 2:5
And dwelling at Jerusalem there were Jews, devout men out of
every nation under heaven.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one
another, Behold, are not these who speak all Galileans?
Act 2:8
And how do we each hear in our own dialect in which we were born?
Act 2:9
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia,
and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya around
Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11
Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking the great things of God
in our own languages.
Twice
in this passage we are told that the crowd consisted of Jews (and
proselytes) from twelve nations and regions who had gathered to the
Feast. They are described as being devout since at great expense
they had obeyed the command of God to appear before Him.
To
further confirm that the crowds were Israelites and Israelites only,
we list here the terms of address Peter used;
Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up
with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, "Men of
Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem,
Act 2:22
"Men of Israel, hear these words:
Act 2:29
"Men, brothers,
Act 2:36
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know
And
also in chapter three;
Act 3:12
So when Peter saw this, he replied to the people: "Men of Israel,
why do you marvel at this?
Act 3:25
You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made
with our fathers,
No gentile is a man of Israel or a physical brother to Peter or any
part of the house of Israel or a son of the prophets or a son of any
covenant God made with Israel�s Fathers. If the Gentile is a
proselyte then he is no longer a Gentile.
Thus
far we have presented to sound Scriptural reasons why there were no
Gentiles in those crowds on the Feast of Pentecost. But there is
further irrefutable evidence.
In
Acts chapter 10 this very same Apostle Peter had journeyed to Joppa.
He was hungry and had fallen into a trance. In this trance a sheet
was let down from heaven three times in which were all kinds of
animals. A voice called to him to rise, kill and eat;
Act 10:10
And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they made
ready, an ecstasy fell on him.
Act 10:11
And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet
coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to
the earth;
Act 10:12
in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild
beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven.
Act 10:13
And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat!
We
note the Apostle refused the voice from heaven on the grounds of
faithful observance of the Law. Peter was a Law abiding Israelite;
Act 10:14
But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that
is common or unclean.
Please
note the words �common or unclean�. What Laws would have crossed
Peter�s mind at the vision which made him respond with the words
common or unclean? The vision of animals undoubtedly referred to the
laws given to Israel regarding their diet;
Lev 20:25
And you shall make a difference between clean animals and unclean,
and between unclean fowls and clean. And you shall not defile your
souls by beast, or by fowl, or by any kind of living thing that
creeps on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.
Lev 20:26
And you shall be holy to Me. For I, Jehovah, am holy, and have
severed you from the nations, so that you should be Mine.
Israel�s diet was to remind them that God had severed them from the
Gentiles and Peter was about to receive an invite from a Gentile.
Let the reader be assured that without this vision and voice from
Heaven, Peter would have spurned the invitation with a �not so
Lord�. Nothing less than the Lord�s own voice would change this
man�s mind;
Act 10:15
And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has made
clean, you do not call common.
What
was it that God had made clean (John 1:29) and Peter was not to call
common? The following statement by Peter to Cornelius clearly links
the vision with Gentiles who up till this time were considered by
Peter to be common and unclean;
Act 10:28
And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a
man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another
nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.
Up
until Acts 10 Peter believed it was an �unlawful� thing for an
Israelite to keep company with a Gentile so there were no Gentiles
at Pentecost else the Lord was many years late teaching Peter. Peter
goes on to say �but God has shown me�. When did God show Peter? Not
at Pentecost but in the vision at Acts 10.
Peter
received a threefold vision immediately prior to three men arriving
with an invitation from Gentile and when the invitation was
delivered Peter received yet another confirmation, this time from
the Holy Spirit;
Act 11:11
And behold, immediately three men stood at the house in which I was,
sent from Caesarea to me.
Act 11:12
And the Spirit told me to go with them, not discriminating.
The
Lord told Peter that he was not to call Gentiles common or unclean
since He had cleansed them. The Holy Spirit confirmed the words of
the Lord by also telling Peter not to discriminate. So Peter went to
Cornelius�s house and then asked an incredible question;
Act 10:29
Therefore I came without complaint, being sent for. I ask, then, for
what reason have you sent for me.
Christian Bible student, this question of Peter�s must make you
think. Why ask Cornelius what he wanted if Peter had preached to
Gentiles in Acts 2?
I am
praying you have already asked the obvious question. Why would Peter
need a threefold vision to go to a Gentile if they had already been
baptized into �the church� at Acts 2?
After Cornelius explains o Peter his side of the story, Peter
reveals a truth that is apparently fresh and new to him;
Act 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no
respecter of persons;
Act 10:35
but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is
accepted with Him.
�Truly
I see� could be rendered �it has been demonstrated before my eyes�.
This would hardly be fresh and new to Peter if he had been commanded
to go into the entire world and preach to all nations, or had
already preached to gentiles at Acts chapter 2. What is fresh and
new to us is that the vision Peter received and the word of the Holy
Spirit had opened Peter�s mind to the wider scope of salvation.
Peter�s new perception came many years after Acts chapter 2 and he
is now ready to preach to a gentile.
Peter presents the facts of our Saviour�s ministry, death and
resurrection directing Cornelius� attention to the fact that the
Prophets gave witness to forgiveness through faith in Him. Obviously
Cornelius believed because as Peter was still speaking the Holy
Spirit gave the gift of tongues to him. Please note the reaction of
those who accompanied Peter;
Act 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on
all those hearing the Word.
Act 10:45
And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with
Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was
poured out on the nations also.
Act 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
I apologies for asking the obvious questions, but why would they be
�astonished� (amazed, put out of wits or be beside one�s self) if
this was not a new and unexpected thing? Those who accompanied Peter
were at Pentecost.
And as
if these things are not enough, we shall make a few final points
from Acts 11.
Act 11:1
And the apostles and brothers who were in Judea heard that the
nations had also received the Word of God.
When
did the apostles and brethren hear that the Gentiles had ALSO
received the Word of God? These events are many years after Acts 2.
Were these apostles and brethren also confused?
Included among the brethren were the members of the circumcision
group who contended with Peter;
Act 11:2
And when Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision
contended with him,
Act 11:3
saying, You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them.
Why
would this group contend with Peter if Gentiles had been baptized
into the �church� at Acts 2? Note, Peter was of the circumcision and
all believers to this time were of the circumcision so this use of
the word must refer to the Pharisaic or Judaizers within the Israeli
community.
Peter
then fully recounts the event and concludes with these words;
Act 11:15
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at
the beginning.
Act 11:17
If God gave to them the same gift as to us, they having believed on
the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to prevent God?
If
ever we wanted the final proof that there were no Gentiles at
Pentecost this is it. Peter declares that Cornelius received the
Holy Spirit just like the Israelites did at the beginning, which is
Pentecost.
It was
God who gave the Cornelius the gift so perhaps Peter would have
tried to prevent God without the vision. Again, how would Peter
speak like this if gentiles had already been so blessed at Acts 2?
The
apostles and brethren also came to a realization:
Act 11:18
When they heard these things, they were silent and glorified God,
saying, Then God has also granted repentance to life to the nations.
In
Acts 10 &11 seven groups or individuals confirm to us that there
were no Gentiles at Acts 2. Will we believe them or the traditions
of modern �churchianity�? Here are those who lived through those
days and who know nothing of any gentiles being baptised at Acts 2;
1. The
Lord who had given Peter the vision concerning Gentiles.
2. The
Holy Spirit who told Peter not to discriminate against them.
3.
Peter himself, who would have refused to go and prevented God, if
had he not been given such clear commands.
4.
Those who accompanied Peter.
5. The
other Apostles and brethren in Judea.
6. The
Circumcision group.
7.
All the brethren finally acknowledged that God had been in this.
In the
mouths of two or three witnesses will a thing be established but
yet, despite these plain statements from the Word, the traditions of
men continue to hold sway. The dogma that the �church� started at
Pentecost where Israelites and gentiles were baptized together is as
far from the truth as can be imagined. Are we prepared to let the
Word stand before our traditions?
Let
the honest Bible student acknowledge that the ridiculous tradition
claiming Israelite and Gentile were baptized into the �church� at
Acts 2 is totally without Scriptural basis. Once we can step out in
faith and grasp the truth of God�s Word in this matter we begin an
incredible journey of discovery.
When
the foundations of �churchianity� are quick sand then the
superstructures will be very shaky indeed. Today we see the falling
away from the Word of God which our Apostle Paul so clearly spoke
about.
Lesson 4
Last time we examined the annual Feasts in outline as originally
given to Israel by God through Moses. We found they extended
over a 7 month period, three at the start of the year and three
at the end. First of the last three is Trumpets and the first of
the early three was Passover.
Exo 12:1
And Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron
in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exo 12:2
This month shall be to you the
beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to
you.
Exo 12:3
Speak to all the congregation of
Israel, saying, In the tenth of this month they shall take to
them each man a lamb for a father's house, a lamb for a house.
Israel were obliged to be present at three of these Feasts as
the Lord commanded:
Deu 16:16
Three times in a year shall all your
males appear before Jehovah your God in the place which He shall
choose: in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of
Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles. And they shall not
appear before Jehovah empty,
Deu 16:17
but each with his gift in his hand,
according to the blessing of Jehovah your God, which He has
given you.
This is why there were so many Jews and proselytes �dwelling� at
Jerusalem on that day in Acts 2. These were �devout�, having
obeyed the Lord's instruction coming from the four corners of
the known world. Because of distance, many of them had been in
Jerusalem from Passover:
Act 2:5
And dwelling at Jerusalem there were
Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven.
These were the Jews of the dispersion who may not have spoken
their native Israeli tongue but the language of those lands in
which they lived.
There would have been huge crowds at Pentecost and the gift of
language was perfect for the occasion. Look how many received
the gift;
Act 1:13
And when they had come in, they went
up into an upper room, �
Act 1:14
these all were continuing with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the
mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Act 1:15
And in those days Peter stood up in
the midst of the disciples and said, (the number of names
together was about a hundred and twenty,)
One hundred and twenty disciples received the gift of language
on that day, and while only Peter's speech is recorded you can
be assured that the other 119 were saying the same things among
the huge crowds. Wasn't the gift of language the best gift for
that situation?
Act 2:4
And they were all filled of the Holy
Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
Act 2:7
And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another,
Behold, are not these who speak all Galileans?
Act 2:8
And how do we each hear in our own dialect in which we were
born?
Another very important thing to remember is that not only did
the Holy Spirit give these disciples the ability to speak in
another (unknown to them) language, but He inspired them in the
very words used. Remember these passages:
Joh 14:26
But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in
My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.
Mar 13:11
But whenever they lead you away and deliver you
up, take no thought beforehand what you should speak or think.
But speak whatever shall be given to you in that hour. For it is
not you who speaks, but the Holy Spirit.
Please think carefully insofar as this gift is concerned. It was
not just the ability to speak in another language, it was the
Holy Spirit speaking though them, see 2 Samuel 23:2. We should
not be surprised that many were �pricked in their heart� and
3000 were converted.
While inspired tongue was the only gift recorded in Acts 2 there
were many other gifts and powers in evidence during the Acts
period which ran for about 35 years, and today I bring them back
to our remembrance. As we examine ALL the powers of that time
let us be honest and carefully examine what is claimed to be the
�Pentecostal experience� of today.
The other Gifts of the Spirit as found in 1 Cor. 12.
Twice in this chapter the Word of God tells us that the Holy
Spirit gave gifts to everyone in those days, see 1Cor.12:7, 11.
Every believer had a gift during the Acts period, everyone. The
gifts of the Spirit are mentioned below. Notice there is no
mention of gifts of love, giving, mercy, or any of the other
�gifts� that are claimed to be �of the Spirit�.
Paul lists the other eight gifts of the Holy Spirit and they
are; the �word of wisdom�, the �word of knowledge�, �faith�,
�gifts of healing�, �workings of powers�, �prophecy�,
�discerning of Spirits�, and �interpretation of tongues�.
The Workings of God, also found in 1 Cor. 12.
The gifts of the Spirit are not the �workings of God� or
�diversity of operations� as seen later in the chapter. These
are, �apostles�, prophets�, �teachers�, �miracles�, �gifts of
healing�, �helps�, �governments�, and �diversity of tongues�,
see 1Cor.12:28. These were other powers which were in operation
at that time. There might be some similarities between the gifts
of the Spirit and the operations of God but we must analyse
things differing, Phils.1:9-10.
The powers the Lord Jesus foretold.
Apart from the drinking of any deadly thing, the things
below followed the preaching of the Word during Acts and some of
these are NOT listed as gifts of the Spirit, or operations of
God but they were powers of that time:
Mar 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that
believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues;
Mar 16:18
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.
Mar 16:20
And going out, they proclaimed
everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the
Word by miraculous signs following. Amen.
Here are some more features of the Acts period showing the
diversity and quantity of the powers and miracles in operation
then. Please read every reference and list all the things that
happened during the Acts period. As you make this list you will
see that speaking in tongues was a small weave in the tapestry.
Miracles and powers were not in short supply and were very
visible by others.
Please note in this group the effect of shadows and
handkerchiefs.
Acts 2:6-8, 43, 3:7, 5:12-16, 6:8, 8:6, 15:12, 16:18-19, 19:6,
12, 28:8-9 and 1Cor.1:4-7.
Buildings were shaken, earthquakes had purpose, and poisonous
snakes were discarded safely.
Acts 4:31, 16:26 and 28:2-5.
Believers were raised from the dead.
Acts 9:40l, 14:19-20 and 20:9-12.
Believers sold their possessions.
Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35. The Lord told the rich young man
to sell all he had in Matt.19 and these people were doing that
very thing. The reason being that the Lord's return was expected
at the next Feast, Trumpets, when all the Land of Israel would
be reapportioned as it always was at Jubilee.
The centre of worship and witness was predominately Israel's
Temple and the Synagogues.
Many feel that Paul's missionary journeys were directly to
Gentiles, but this is not so. Paul initially preached to
Israelites, and when Israel rejected the message then he
preached locally to those Gentiles who had been drawn to Israel
and their God.
Acts 2:46, 5:12, 42, 9:20, 13:5, 14, 14:1, 17:1, 10, 17, 18:4,
7, 19, 19:8, and 21:18-30.
The powers of the apostles during the Acts' period were very
powerful.
We also see God smiting those opposing Him and restoring His
servants. Kings who did not give Him honour were struck down.
Acts 5:5, 10, 12:21-23, 13:11, 1Cor.5:3-5, Roms.15:18-19 and
compare Matthew 10:1,5-8.
Divine judgment against believers was in evidence, blessings
and curses were hand in hand.
Believers during that time who sinned became sick and died.
1 Cor.11:26-30 and read carefully James 5:14-16.
Angels delivered believers and spoke directly to them, as did
the Holy Spirit and the Lord Himself.
Acts 5:19, 8:26, 29, Acts 9:4, 10:19, 12:7, 13:2, 16:6, 26,
20:23, 21:4, 11, 22:17-18, 23:11, and 27:23-25,
Detractors and opponents could not resist the wisdom of God
through those so gifted.
Don't we wish we had this power today?
Acts 6:10.
Believers were transported by the Holy Spirit and had visions
from God.
Yes, believers were carried around by the Spirit.
Acts 8:39, 9:12, 10:3, 10, 16:9, and 18:9. See 1 Kings 18:12 and
John 6:19-21.
Acts period prophecies actually came to pass.
Acts 11:27-28.
These are all the miracles, powers and signs of the Acts'
period. Speaking in tongues and all the other Gifts of the
Spirit were not the only supernatural powers visible at that
time. It is very important we know all the things operational
way back then.
If all the things of the Acts period were really happening today
there would not be enough TV stations to broadcast the reports.
Disease would be wiped out, dictators would be destroyed,
apostles and prophets would be transported all around the world
without the use of an aeroplane, false spirits would be
recognised, demons cast out and false teachers exposed. Every
believer would possess one or more of the gifts or powers, and
we would be selling our possessions and having all things
common. Those who were gross sinners would die out with sickness
unless they repented and confessed their sins.
But wait! We have read that these feasts were given to Israel
not the Church which is His body. Pentecost belongs to Israel.
And the writer of Hebrews clearly tell us, that these powers
were the powers of the coming age;
Heb 6:4.....those
who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
Heb 6:5
and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world
to come,
The coming world or age
was the earthly reign of Christ covering one thousand years, the
kingdom of God on the earth. This has nothing to do with the
church which is His Body. Our sphere is the heavenly places,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, see EPh.1:3,
19-20, 2:6 and Col.3:1.
Perhaps that is why we do not see all these things happening
today, Israel were cast aside at the end of the book of Acts and
all these things ceased with them. After Acts a new
administration was revealed to Paul without all these
supernatural things. This is not to say God may not heal His
servants today through prayer, but we are not seeing the powers
of the Acts period today. Please carefully compare the gifts of
the ascended Christ in Ephesians 4.
Next lesson we will visit Mount Sinai, the first Pentecost. We
shall see that way back then the Holy Spirit gave gifts to
Israel. I hope to show where Pentecost fitted into the national
deliverance of Israel in type and shadow and how this was
unfolded in the New Testament.
