(Copyright 06-15-2024) by Warren Zehrung (Little Rock, Arkansas) |
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Who was invited to the first Pentecost where God’s Spirit was given? Let’s pick up the time-line here: 1 Corinthians 15:20 Jesus Christ had just risen from the dead: It was only 24 hours since God the Father, with the exceeding greatness of His power, had revitalized, and re-energized (Gr. energeō) the dead body of Jesus Christ in the tomb. He resurrected Him up to God–Life with the glory which Jesus had before the world began (Ephesians 1:19-20, John 17:5). It was then that Jesus appeared among His disciples. He said to them, “Peace be unto you, …Peace be unto you.” John 20:22 … And when He had said that He breathed [audibly] on them, and said unto them, Receive you Holy Pneuma—Holy Breath: Jesus blew an audible puff of air from deep within His lungs through His lips in the direction of the disciples, and said, “Receive Holy Spirit.” It was their invitation for the coming day of Pentecost. Some have thought that the disciples received the Holy Spirit right then and there—but that was fifty days too soon, as it would take place at the coming Pentecost. The beloved apostle John was there that evening and heard Jesus say to all in attendance, “Receive Holy Spirit,” but to what extent were the disciples able to fathom what Jesus was telling them? What were their expectations? One Hundred and Twenty Names The Bible tells us that when the Day of Pentecost had fully come there were about 120 names at Holy Day services (Acts 1:15). What do we know about those people who responded to the invitation? Who were those people? Does the Bible tell us anything about them? We will find that many of them were just like us in many ways. How many of those one hundred and twenty names do you think you could name right off the top of your head? It is important because those people are our brethren—and they will be raised to eternal life in the family of God for all eternity with us at the First Resurrection. Their resurrection is our resurrection (1Thessalonians 4:15-17). This Feast Day of Pentecost is all about the coming of the Holy Spirit, but it also ties in closely with the First Resurrection and Eternal Life. The Lazarus Factor John 11:23-24 Jesus said unto [Martha], Thy brother [Lazarus] shall rise again. Martha said unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection on the last day. The “Last Day” was not good enough for Martha—she understood that everyone will be in the general resurrection at the end of the Millennium—but Martha wanted her brother Lazarus to be in the First Resurrection—with Jesus. It was something that Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus had fully been counting on—and expecting—and hoping for, just like we do, brethren. Jesus eased her concerns and restored her hope: John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Those 120 names at that first Pentecost were our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we will spend all eternity to come. Those people will be our friends and relatives forever. We should revel in the expectation of the Godly friendship we will experience with them. Brethren, I’ll tell you this. I am looking forward to sitting down to a cup of good coffee with the Mother of Jesus and personally spending some quality time with her, and many others. I too have some questions that will finally be answered, because Mary has kept all these sayings in her heart (Luke 2:51). In her declining years shared her innermost feelings with Luke and also with John, her conservator, guardian and care giver (John 19:27). An Example of God’s Spirit at Work Now John 5:17 Jesus said, My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working. In Acts 3 we read about a 40-year-old crippled man who was a paraplegic from birth. People mistakenly say, “Peter healed him.” Yes, Peter had just received the Holy Spirit, but on closer inspection we find that Peter did not heal the lame man—God the Father did. This fellow was at the mercy of others not only for his daily needs, but for a coin to buy a small fish, a slice of cheese, or a piece of bread (Acts 3:2). Acts 3:6-7 Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name (authority, power) of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Certainly, Peter had the power (Gr.word dýnamis (δύναμις) of the Holy Spirit, to work the miraculous acts of God the Father at his disposal. [That is where our English word, dynamite derives from.] The power was of God the Father, because even Jesus always glorified and credited His Father for the miracles He performed (John 14:10). This man who had never stood on his feet before, not only stood, but walked, and jumped up and down for the first time in his life – praising God (Acts 3:8)! The miracle was for the purpose of praising God and giving glory to Jesus, His name, and His work of redemption. God the Father was glorifying Jesus’ name through the miracle: Acts 3:12-13 When Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Son Jesus; Acts 3:15-16 Prince of Life, whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His name—through faith in His name has made this [lame] man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Brethren, in today’s sermon we will look into the personalities of some of those 120 people who received the Holy Spirit at that first Pentecost. *** The Children of God.net Working together around the world Bringing the message of hope to a world in turmoil SabbathCoG.org Listen to Live Services at 2:00 PM Central Time by calling the Free Conference Call dial-in number, (667) 770-1685 and entering the Participant access code: 696903# The playback number is (667) 770-1688. ———————————————————————————————————- See Warren Zehrung’s other articles at: Zehrung, Warren – Church of God, Bismarck (church-of-god-bismarck.org) Reprinted with permission from: Sabbath Church of God http://childrenofgod.net/ ———————————————————————————————————- |
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