"THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE FEAST OF PENTECOST"

“THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE FEAST OF PENTECOST”

Preached by:  Pastor Carolyn Sissom

@ Women’s Jail, Richmond, TX

Thursday, August 19, 2010

In 1999, I was preparing to teach the Book of Acts to a group who were seeking the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The Lord spoke to me, “Carolyn, the Holy Spirit is the Feast of Pentecost.”  This natural feast was fulfilled in the giving of the Holy Spirit on that day as recorded in Acts 2.  It was observed on the 50^th day after Passover.  Jesus Christ’s crucifixion fulfilled the Passover Feast.

Acts 2:1-4:  “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

If we do a study of all of the suddenlies in the bible, we will find that almost all of them speak of the supernatural.  There came a sound from Heaven (out of the sky!).  This gives us a visual of the first visitation of a return of the Lord by His return in the Spirit.  It was the sound of a wind, for the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind (Ez. 37: 9-14).  Then appeared to them divided tongues, and one sat upon each of them.  The sign given was fire.  Pentecost was kept in remembrance of giving of the law upon Mt. Sinai, and as that was given in fire, so is the gospel.  The Spirit like fire, melts the heart, burns up the dross and kindles passion in the soul.  This is THAT fire which Christ came to send upon the earth.

The operations of the Spirit are many.  At one time, I counted 96 different supernatural operations.  The Gift of speaking with diverse tongues is one.  The Word reads they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.  It seems obvious that the all means the 120.  With this filling they would have the graces of the Spirit; sanctifying influences; comforts of the Spirit; joy in the love of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  They were endued with miraculous powers for the furtherance of the Gospel.  The Pentecostal tongues were instantly recognized by people from many lands.  Even so, the miracle of speech was secondary to the message.  For this was Jesus speaking through His disciples of the wonderful works of God and the great things of God (Verse 11).

(Vs. 13) “Others mocking said they are full of new wine.  (Probably Scribes and Pharisees).

We must always be willing to give account to scoffers and mockers.  We are called to be warriors, to take hold of the sword, the Word of God and give an account of the miraculous indwelling of the Spirit.  Two things Peter resolves: 

(1)   It was the fulfilling of the scripture.

(2)   This is a fruit of the Christ’s resurrection and ascension.

Although Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, yet he did not set aside the scriptures, nor think himself above them.  Christ’s scholars never learn above their Bible.  Jesus’ redemptive work was consummated on the Cross.  He rose from the dead and spent a clear historical period of 40 days with the apostles before the day he was taken up.

In Acts 1:8:  “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

Those who receive the Holy Spirit are going to be able to release captives from satan’s kingdom and transplant (or convey) them into Christ’s Kingdom (Col. 1:13).  No military force can do that.  It can’t capture the minds of men, let alone their hearts.  Ah, but spiritual power is unseen and works by Faith.

The Holy Spirit empowers men and women to:

1. Cast out devils (Mt. 12:28)
2. Is the agent of new birth (Jn. 3: 5-8)
3. Takes that which is Jesus’ and brings to us.
4. Quickens (Jn. 6:63)
5. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life”; imparts power (Lk. 29:49)
6. “Knows things of God” (1 Cor. 2:11)
7. “Imparts gifts to men” (1 Cor. 12: 1-10)
8. Speaks mysteries through man (1 Cor. 14:2; 14-16).
9. “Imparts character of God (Gal. 5:22).
10. “Works miracles” (Rom. 15:19; 1 Cor. 12: Heb. 2:34)
11. Can carry man (Acts 8:39)
12. Raises the dead; imparts skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts, etc. etc.
13. Helps us to be overcomers.

The Holy Spirit is a person and the third person of the trinity.  He is the One who empowers believers for spiritual work (to be witnesses).

The difference between a filling and a baptism or the Spirit by measure and without measure is the extent one is filled with the Holy Spirit.  Each is given the measure of power and can do things according to the degree of anoint he has.  If a minister has the Spirit in all fullness, there is no limitation. He can do the works of Christ and the apostles.

The term “earnest of the Spirit” (11 Cor. 1:22; 5:5’ Eph. 1:14) means a pledge, down payment, foretaste guarantee.  This refers to the infilling of the Holy Ghost which is but the earnest of our full inheritance.  Thus the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is not the fullness of the Spirit, but the pledge of it.

The term “firstfuits of the Spirit” (Rom 8:23; 11 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14) is synonymous with the “earnest of the Spirit”   This is the earnest of our inheritance.

There are nine characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit and is the NATURE of Jesus Christ:

1.  LOVE                        “AGAPE LOVE, DIVINE LOVE.”

2.  JOY                             “Cheerfulness; calm delight.”

3.  PEACE                       “TRANQUILITY OF MIND; QUIETNESS; REST.”

4.  LONGSUFFERING: “Patience, endurance under stress.”

5.  GENTLENESS          “Kindness, gracious and mild character.”

6.  GOODNESS               “Moral goodness helps others.”

7.  FAITH                 “The absolute trust in the sovereignty of God in all things.

8.  MEEKNESS               “Humility”

9.  TEMPERANCE         “Self-control; mastery of self.”

Hearing what the Spirits says is a term which refers to the hearing of the inner ear of the inner man (spiritual ear) as he listens to the voice of the Holy spirit which can come to us through the audible voice of God, through a strong impression of the Holy spirit upon the human spirit (words from within), or through the vocal manifestations or gifts of the Spirit. (Rev. 2:7, 17)

There are many symbols throughout the bible for the Spirit of the Lord.  The first three symbols are in Acts 2: 1-4 and are essential to life.

1.  WIND       - The Holy Wind of God can be seen by the eyes of the Spirit or felt.  It is varied in its manifestations: North Wind (conviction); South Wind (Comforter); East Wind (discipline); West Wind (brings rain). (Jn. 3:8; So. 4:16; Job 1:19 and Lk 12:54)

2.  WATER -   Rivers, floods, rain, clouds, dew, springs; absence of water means famine, thirst, and ruin. Jn. 7:37-39; Is. 44:3; Ezra 10:13; Ps. 71:6; Ex. 19:9; Mt. 17:5)

3. FIRE – Gives warmth and light; consumes; the generation of power; impelling to service; and shows God’s acceptance of sacrifice; purification.

4. SALT – Preserves; purifies; gives taste; irritates (convicts), creates a thirst. (Mk. 9: 49-50)
5. OIL -   Used in the bible for food, light, and for anointing. (Ps. 104:15; 133: 1-2; 1 Sam. 16)
6. SEAL - Speaks of ownership, authentication, witness, authority, and impression. (Eph. 1:13)
7. CLOTHING – Speaks of covering, protection, and beauty.  (Lk. 24;49 in the Greek)
8. DOVE – Loving, peaceful, harmless, sacrifice, constant, swift, beautiful, mournful, gentle, particular in diet, single-eyed.
9. NEW WINE – New, fresh outpouring of the spirit; intoxicates; no inhibitions; easy communications; joy; boldness (Joel 3:18; Lk. 3:22)

TONGUES:  There are three New Testament purpose for speaking in tongues”

1. The initial evidence of having received the Holy ghost Baptism (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6)
2. Devotional tongues which is praying to, or praising God in tongues in the “prayer closet.”  This supernatural communion flows with the Holy Spirit to express one’s innermost thoughts and feelings.  Most of speaking in tongues (90%) are in this dimension for the daily edification of the saints.  (1 Cor. 14:2, 4, 14-18-19). 
3. The gift of tongues (message in tongues) with its twin gift of the interpretation of tongues.  These two gifts are exercised publicly as an edifying ministry to the Body of Christ in the local church. (1 Cor. 12:10, 28, 30; 14:5, 13, 22, 16-17).

Wineskin:  this is the vessel and container for the wine (the outpoured spirit and Presence of God.)  We are to be wineskins in three areas: the individual, the home, and the local church. (Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37-39; Job. 32:19; Ps. 119:83)

This is an in-part teaching on the Holy Spirit prepared for women in jail who are seeking the Lord for His Power to overcome.

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries, Inc.

www.eastgateministries.com

Scripture from K.J.V, Text from study notes prepared by Carolyn Sissom on the Book of Acts in 1990; Bibliography C. S. Lovett’s Lights on Acts; F.F. Bruce Bible Commentary, E. H. Trenchard; Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible; Matthew Henry’s Commentary; The Tongue of the Learned by: K.H. Varner with J. L. Dutton.  The views expressed are not necessarily the views of those from whom I have gleaned.