The Promise of Pentecost

Have you ever wondered what the disciples did on Pentecost? Acts 2:1CloseActs 2:1 On the day of Pentecost* all the believers were meeting together in one place. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) says they gathered

when the Day of Pentecost had fully come.

Before the gathering, they would have celebrated the Feast of Firstfruits in the Temple. This festival, ordained by God as a statute forever, must have had great significance for the early believers.

Loaves of bread were offered, calling to mind Jesus’ promise,

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:51CloseJohn 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Baked with leaven, the bread was waved as an offering to God. Jesus was lifted up like an offering on the cross, drawing all people to Him. This isn’t the unleavened bread of Passover—this is “He is risen” bread.

Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor. 15:20)

The feast recalled how God delivered Israel out of slavery, and people affirmed their covenant to obey Him. They gave special tithes to feed strangers, orphans and widows. There was joy—and it was for everyone.

“You shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you” (Deuteronomy 26:11CloseDeuteronomy 26:11 Afterward you may go and celebrate because of all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among you in the celebration. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Then came the blessing:

“Today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people … and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19CloseDeuteronomy 26:18-19 The LORD has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. And if you do, he will set you high above all the other nations he has made. Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown. You will be a nation that is holy to the LORD your God, just as he promised." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Before they were in the Upper Room, the disciples experienced this. It’s God's bargain with Israel, and it’s His bargain with you and me. We all fall short, yet our sins are covered by Jesus’ blood. By pouring out His Holy Spirit, God seals us, writes His law in our hearts, and gives us His down payment of the life to come.

And as Peter declared,

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim [His] praises (1 Peter 2:9Close1 Peter 2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,* a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

God bless you!

Scripture is quoted from the NKJV.

© Copyright Gordon Robertson