OBS: ACTS - The Transition (Part 6 - Pentecost vs. the New Covenant)

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 6) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

See the video lesson of this study here.

Pentecost vs. the New Covenant

Looking at our key verse above, one word stood out for me and prompted the writing of the rest of this study below. That word is, "upon". The verse clearly states that the Holy Spirit will come 'upon' the apostles, and empower them to be witnesses of the gospel message they were to go and proclaim to all of Israel. In previous lessons in this study series, we touched on the topic of the New Covenant. In verses referring to the New Covenant, scripture refers to the Spirit being place 'within' the Jews. Within! Not upon. 

So, some interesting questions we can ask based on this wording are, "What is the difference in this regard, and why?" "Is Pentecost the New Covenant?" If not, "Is Pentecost the beginnings of the fulfilling of the New Covenant?"

Before we dive into these questions and have a look at what the Bible says about it, it might be appropriate to briefly define what exactly is the 'New Covenant', what is the 'Old Covenant' and what is 'Pentecost'. Defining these will help to provide context to the rest of this study.

• The Old Covenant: This is the Law Covenant, received at Mt. Sinai after Israel exited Egypt and passed through the Red Sea. Israel encamped around Mt. Sinai and Moses went up the mountain to receive the Law on tablets of stone to which Israel agreed to, (Exo.19; Exo.24:3).
  
  
• Pentecost: This was the supernatural event that occurred 10-days after Jesus ascended into heaven. The promised Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles and others who were gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit, resting upon them, would empower them to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom gospel, confirming these things as true by signs and miracles required by the Jews to believe, (Acts 2:1-6).
  
  
• The New Covenant: This covenant will come into effect when Jesus comes at His second coming at the end of the Tribulation. The remnant of Jews who escaped the abominations of the Antichrist at the half way point in the Tribulation will flee to the wilderness where God will protect them during the last 3½ years. It is this remnant (the remaining ⅓ of all Jews) that will repent and call upon the Lord, their Messiah. At Jesus' second coming, they will be saved and will receive the New Covenant, the indwelling Spirit and the absolute forgiveness of sins. (Eze.36; Jer.31).

So, with these brief definitions, let's continue our lesson.

Similarities: Pentecost and the New Covenant

Regarding Pentecost and the New Covenant, they both involve the receiving of the Holy Spirit. This is clearly described in Acts 2 with the supernatural event at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came with the sound of a mighty wind and with the tongues of fire upon the recipients. With regards to the New Covenant event, the Holy Spirit is received by those remnant Jews out in the wilderness at the end of the Tribulation. The scripture clearly describes them receiving the Holy Spirit within them in Ezek.36:26.

Continuing the similarities, in both events the recipients are empowered to fulfil a specific role. At Pentecost, the recipients were empowered to be witnesses to the Messiah and to the Kingdom gospel, (Acts 1:8). At the New Covenant, the recipients were empowered to fulfil the role of priests; to take the word of the Lord, and the Law, out to the Gentile nations in the Millennial Kingdom (Exo.19:6).

Also, in both events the Word of the Lord is supernaturally remembered and understood. Notice this verse,

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now, consider this. A general consensus of conservative scholars puts the writing of Mark at about AD 60-65.  Some even put Mark in the 50s AD.  Matthew and Luke are usually given a date of writing of about AD 60-70 and John AD 70-90.  These are obviously rough approximations. However, these estimates still bring about an interesting point. If Jesus ascended to heaven in about 30 AD, then 20+ years have gone by before the Gospels are penned. How did the apostles remember all that Jesus taught? How did they remember all His parables, all His beatitude lessons (Matt.5-7), all His general teachings? No human has 'total recall'! But, according to the scripture above, Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit was to come (at Pentecost), He would bring all things to remembrance; all His teachings and whatsoever Jesus said. Friends, that's a miracle! No doubt about it!

With regards to the New Covenant, we only need to look at Jer.31:33-34. 

Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:

These Millennial Jews will know the Law by heart. It will be second nature to them, it will be branded on their hearts and recalled by the Holy Spirit. They will be so filled with the Law that they will not have to teach neighbour or brother, for they will ALL know the law intimately. The reason for this is that they will be expected to go out into the Gentile nations and teach them about the laws, the governance, the will and Word of the King of kings, Jesus Christ, who at this time is seated on David's throne and reigning as the Supreme Ruler of the Millennial Kingdom.

Similarities: Pentecost and the Old Covenant

There are some truly remarkable similarities between Pentecost and the Old Law Covenant. Both events happened to a newly redeemed people. The giving of the law at Sinai (Exo.19-20) marked the birth of the Jewish nation while Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, marked the birth of the Jewish church, (not the Body of Christ).

Another fact is that both events took place in the same month (of the Jewish calendar) and naturally, during the same Jewish feast (the feast of Weeks, a.k.a. Pentecost).

If you are interested in numbers, consider these similarities. In regards to the Old Covenant, the Israelites left Egypt on Passover, and 40-days later arrived at a mountain (Sinai). Then Moses went up the mountain to receive the 10-commandments from God. Ten days later, Moses came down with the Law. Later, when the Israelites broke the covenant, 3000 people died as a result (Exo.32:28). Compared to Pentecost, Jesus died on Passover and 40-days later went up on a mountain to return to God (Mt. Of Olives). Ten days after Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit came down and 3000 people were saved! —Amazing, right!!!

Lastly, it is interesting to note that in both events, there were similar sounds and symbolic —wind, fire, smoke, and thundering. The Hebrew word translated thundering in Exodus is "kolot" (Strong's H6963), which is translated from Hebrew as, voice or proclamation. Think about this, considering the sound of a might wind, the tongues of fire, and the many voices proclaiming the gospel in different languages, that happened in Acts 2.

We have spent a bit of time looking at the similarities of Pentecost compared to the Old, and New Covenants. Even though there are many remarkable similarities, they do not necessarily connect these events in any significant way. Pentecost is not the converse, or the completing of the cycle of the Old Covenant. Likewise, Pentecost is not the beginning of, or the fulfilment of the new Covenant, (based on what prophecy describes). At most, Pentecost can however be considered a type or foreshadow of the New Covenant.

Let me prove from the prophetic scriptures that there is a difference between Pentecost and the New Covenant.

Differences: Pentecost and the New Covenant

Compare these scriptures for key differences in regards to "Wording" and "Timing".

Ezekiel 36:26-30 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: [forgive sins] and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.

• Wording: Notice the word, "within". The Holy Spirit is placed within these Jews.
• Timing: Verse 28 onwards speaks about great blessing on the crops and trees and fields, and the fact that there will be no more famines. It also speaks of being saved from ALL their uncleanness, meaning to be forgiven of all their sins.
• Conclusion: This passage above is clearly speaking of the New Covenant where the Holy Spirit will be within the Jews (as they fulfil their role as priests in the Kingdom). One of the elements of the New Covenant is forgiveness of all sins (see Jer.31:34) which is mentioned here are "saved from uncleanness". Lastly, the great blessings of crops and multiplication is a sure indication of the Millennial Kingdom period.

Joel 2:28-31 And it shall come to pass afterward [Messiah 1st Adv.], that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Num.12:6) 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. (Acts 2:16...)

• Wording: Notice the word, "upon". Just like in Acts 1:8, Joel describes that the Holy Spirit would come upon them. If you know anything about the English language, the words "upon" and "within" have very different meanings, denoting different positions or locations, relating to an object. Joel is not referring to the New Covenant here, but rather to Pentecost.
• Timing: A very interesting fact in this prophecy is that immediately after referring to the outpouring of the Spirit upon men, Joel continues with language that describes the Tribulation period from verse 30. So, to clarify, the Spirit is poured out first, then the Tribulation comes. This is not therefore the New Covenant, because this event occurs AFTER the Tribulation, when Jesus Christ comes in His second advent.
• Conclusion: This passage above is clearly speaking of the Pentecost event where the Holy Spirit will be upon the Jews (as they fulfil their role as witnesses in Jerusalem and the surroundings). It speaks about prophesying under the influence of the Spirit, and after this, it clearly depicts the events of the Tribulation.

Scripture is clear that Pentecost and the new Covenant are not the same event. Pentecost is also not the beginnings of the New Covenant, since the signs and symbolism are different. Also, Pentecost is not the fulfilment of the New Covenant as the New Covenant is clearly listed as being activated over the remnant Jewish nation, at their salvation, at the end of the Tribulation.

There has been a lot of confusion and misunderstandings of these two events (esp. in the church circles that I have been in). I trust that if you had some questions about it, or some misunderstandings, that this small study has been able to clear it up for you.

Another reason for taking time to gain understanding in this is just to learn and understand God's Word in more detail. The Bible is God's progressive plan of redemption for humanity. His plan has a start and an end. His plan progresses through phases that have specific order and purpose to them. If one can learn and understand God's Word based on these events and timings, it brings clarity, not only to the Bible itself, but also to your role and purpose in God's great plan. It brings blessing to you, it adds confidence to your walk with Him and it edified your soul. 

Before I end this lesson, I'd like to digress into one last interesting point, since we have just discussed timings in the plan of God. If you've ever wondered why Paul used the word, "mystery" so liberally in his epistles, here is one reason to clarify it. When you read about prophecy in the Old Testament and Gospels, you never see ANY mention of the grace period. Typically, prophecy speaks of the Christ and continues immediately into the events of the Tribulation or the Millennial Kingdom. The reason is that the grace dispensation was a secret in the heart of God, only revealed at a specific time to the apostle Paul. No prophet or teacher, (except Jesus Himself), knew about the 2000-year gap that would separate the first advent of Christ and the Tribulation, and Kingdom. Hence the fact that our grace dispensation is a mystery (or secret). 

Have a look at some examples in closing. In each case below, the "//" will separate what has already happened in the prophetic statement, from that which still needs to happen at a future date.

Luke 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. // 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; 32 and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; // And the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 

Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected // has become the chief corner stone. 

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners 2 To proclaim the favourable year of the Lord, // and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; ... (Jesus stops in mid-sentence when He quotes this, because he knew the rest of the prophecy was not relevant in that moment. He knew about the secret 2000-year gap. See Luke 4:16-21)

Grace and peace to you in this time.