PNEUMATOLOGY

(A study on the Holy Spirit)

Dr. Silas C. Nair

VII. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST

There is utter confusion among Christians regarding Pentecost and its significance. Every word in the Scriptures is inspired (2 Tim.3.16) and the apostles and prophets have spoken “not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor.2.13). Therefore we need not read into the Scriptures our own theology but distinguish the things that differ.

What is Pentecost?

Pentecost was a decisive point in the work of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is a historical and unique event. Pentecost was one of the seven holy feasts of Jehovah. “These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons: In the fourteenth day of the first month is the Lord’s Passover” (Lev.23.4, 5).

1. The feast of Passover. This was on the 14th day of Nissan. Ex.12.1-14; 1 Cor.5.7.

2. The feast of unleavened bread. This was from the 15th – 21st day of Nissan. Ex.12.15-20

3. The feast of first fruits. This was on the 16th day of Nissan Lev.23.9-14

4. The feast of Pentecost. This was on the 6th day of Sivan.Lev.23.15-17; Acts 2.1

These first four feasts are very closely related and the three that follow the first are in relation to the first feast. The first three fell in the first month, on 14th, 15th and 16th, and the 4th was on the morrow after the seven Sabbaths. This relationship should be kept in view while we discuss the feast of Pentecost.

5. The feast of Trumpets. This was on the 1st day of Tishri – Num.29.1-6

6. The feast of Atonement. This was on the 10th day of Tishri– Lev.23.26-32

7. The feast of Tabernacles – This was from 15th –22nd days of Tishri Jn.7.2

On the feasts of unleavened bread, Pentecost and Tabernacles all male members of Israel over 20 years were required to appear in the temple in Jerusalem (Ex.23.14-19). These three times when “all your men shall appear before the Lord”, God promised them that “neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year” (34.22-24). And they shall not appear before the Lord empty handed (Deut.16.16).

On the 14th of Nissan was the Passover. The children of Israel were commanded to take a lamb without blemish on the 10th day and slay it on the 14th day and sprinkle the blood on the doorposts and the lintel of their houses. When the angel of death saw the blood He passed over them (Ex.12). This feast was a type of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor.5.7). The third day from this on the 16th Nissan was the feast of first fruits, which is a type of the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor.15.23). On the morrow after seven Sabbaths (i.e. on the 50th day) is the day of Pentecost. The Jews were commanded to “bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth parts; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the first fruits unto the Lord (Lev.23.17). This feast typified the first fruits of dedication. On this day (Acts 2) 3000 souls were saved. All these types had their fulfillment in the New Testament and the New

Testament has specifically authorized them as types in the Old Testament.

To understand the meaning of the feast of Pentecost one should understand the difference between Israel and the Church. Many have seen the Church in the Old Testament and this has brought confusion in their minds regarding Pentecost. Church was a mystery hidden in God but revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the New Testament (Eph.3.6f).

On the day of Pentecost the Jews were asked to bring from their dwellings two wave-loaves. They shall be of fine flour and they shall be baked with leaven (Lev.23.17).

These two wave loaves typified both Jew and Gentile, which formed parts of the Church. In the Church age, the present dispensation in which we live, though the Lord is not dealing with the Jews as a nation, individual Jews will be saved as also individual gentiles. Failure to understand this distinction is to misunderstand the meaning of Pentecost.

Pentecost is the complement of Calvary. Pentecost has made available to men what Calvary made possible. Pentecost sometimes is said to be the powerhouse of Christianity.

When the day of Pentecost was “fully” come they were prepared. They were waiting for the promise of the Father (Acts 1.5). This was a historical event. It is never repeated. This can be repeated only if Calvary can be repeated. This is impossible.

There are those who repeat Calvary every Sunday. In the Roman Catholic Mass when the officiating priest lifts up the wafer and the cup, according to their theology, these elements are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. On Good Friday Christendom crucify the Lord again and again. But the Scriptures say that He died only once. In the same way many evangelical Christians repeat Pentecost when a person is born again and yet others see this as a second blessing received by those who are born again. Pentecost is a historical event, which is never repeated. Pentecost can be repeated only if Calvary can be repeated, which is unthinkable.

There was the audible sound as of a mighty wind and also the visible sign of cloven tongues as of fire. On that day the Holy Spirit came to the earth to begin a new ministry.

Pentecost was the seal of the Messiahship of Jesus and the fulfillment of the promise. This was also the occasion of the institution of the Church. On this day the Church was born and in that sense it is the birthday of the Church. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was born in the body prepared for him by the Father. Likewise on the day of Pentecost according to the prophecy announced by John the Baptist and confirmed by the Lord Jesus Himself, Holy Spirit came to possess the body, the temple of God, which is the Church. “At Pentecost the Holy Spirit came as He had never come before. Something that transpired which inaugurated a new era for the world, a new power for righteousness, a new basis for fellowship” (Holy Spirit , P.42 by A. W. Pink)

When the day of Pentecost had fully come they were all with one accord in one place (Acts 2.1). Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This was the prophecy and it was fulfilled (Mich.5.2). Holy Spirit would have come on the day of Pentecost only on Jerusalem and nowhere else. This was also the

word that Jesus gave. They were to tarry at Jerusalem. What happened then?

After the Tabernacle was erected the Shekinah glory covered the tent of the congregation (Ex.40.34-35). Likewise when Solomon erected the temple (1 Kings 8.11) the glory of the Lord filled the house. In the New Testament God is building a new temple out of living stones (1 Pet.2.4,5).

When the fullness of time was come God sent forth His son (Gal.4.4) and when the day of Pentecost was fully come, the Holy Spirit came to indwell the temple of God (cf.1Cor.3.16). Believers corporately were fused into the temple of God. The Holy Spirit also indwells every believer.

The “cloven tongues as of fire” are comparable to the Shekinah glory, and is a demonstration to the world that God had come to possess his temple. The  formation of the Church on the day of Pentecost was done by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

A. W. Pink in his study on the Holy Spirit points out eighteen parallels in the advent of Christ and the Spirit.(pp.39- 42). The following may be noted.

                                                                    To be continued.......