News and Updates
July 1, 2021
David Copeland · July 1, 2021
Newsletter · Volume: 21 Issue: 7
This month we will continue discussing the Power of a Fresh Pentecost. In our last newsletter, we talked about how Pentecost built bridges between the nations, genders, generations, and the different classes of people in society.
When you study the customs of the Pentecost festival, you will find this one day feast was the last day for offering up a sacrifice of barley as an offering to the Lord, and it was the first day in which the Jews would offer a sacrifice of wheat as an offering unto the Lord. Barley was considered the bread of the poor and the animals while wheat was considered the bread of the rich and famous. The greatest takeaway for me is that Pentecost Sunday was one of the only days of the year in which everyone, rich & poor ate wheat. It was like Christmas Day for them!
Next, we find Pentecost came with a new sound.
Acts 2:2 “…there came a sound from heaven….”. This was not a sound from the Temple (there was naturally a lot of noise going on there, it was a feast day). Not a sound from the marketplace, not a sound from the King’s palace or the synagogue; not a sound of clanging bells from some religious steeple;
It was a sound from heaven!
This sound from heaven signifies the sound OF a new direction and FOR a new direction. The fact that it was produced in an upper room and not in a religious institution tells us that God was making a way for His people to receive power from heaven outside the normal way of keeping the law. The Temple (as beautiful as it was) was not enough to empower people to overcome sin, addictions and problems in their lives. But there will always be power from heaven if we will seek Him for it!
This sound also drew attention to the supernatural work God Himself was beginning through His Ekklesia…His church…in regular people who are called out to serve and live for Him. He was echoing Jesus words to Peter in Matthew 16:18
“Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!!!”
Thirdly, Pentecost brought a sign.
Acts 2:3 “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”
Their tongues were not only on fire with anointing and power, but a literal sign appeared over each person’s head: tongues of fire! Over the heads of every man, woman & child. Can you imagine the gossip that went on when people saw that? In fact, Luke tells us many simply said, “these men are full of new wine” vs 13.
4. Pentecost also came declaring a new work.
Vs 4 tells us they spoke as “…the Spirit gave the utterance…” Again, during these times only the prophets, High Priest and the King were considered to be anointed by God to be able to speak for God. We know from history, the king over Israel was a heathen. The High Priest was corrupt and only interested in protecting his territory and control. The prophets had been sporadic in their declarations until Jesus was born & dedicated in the Temple. Then John the Baptist came on the scene declaring there is one coming after me, “…He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit & with fire.” (Matthew 3:11) This new work of the Holy Spirit was showing all mankind that God Himself approves of any man, woman, boy or girl who will submit their lives to Him; and He will use them to declare the wonderful works of God!
Finally, Pentecost seeks a new response.
Vs 37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
This response came because the Holy Spirit touched them and arrested them. Oh, how I long for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to come in such a way that when we speak, people’s hearts will be arrested! Not arrested with the rhetoric or arguments of men; but arrested with a new hunger & thirst for God. Pentecost represents a time in which God will release into our lives a fresh sensitivity to His Spirit; to move with Him and follow Him and Him alone.
Oh Father, I surrender myself to become a candidate of a fresh Pentecost!
Blessings,
David & Pam