Episode 064 – Bread of Life Pt 8: The Holy Spirit and Pentecost
Key Passage(s): Exodus 19:16-19; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:3-5; Acts 2:1-16
The most monumental event following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus was the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It was a day that changed things forever. And yet, most people don’t know how deep and significant this event was. For example, did you know that Pentecost wasn’t a new festival? Or that it didn’t take place in the Upper Room? Or that it was connected to the Exodus? These details and much more are the subject matter for this episode as we conclude our “Bread of Life” series and comprehend the implications of Acts 2 in light of the resurrection!
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
- What surprised you most about the conversation on Pentecost?
- Where were you reminded anew of the importance of understanding the Old Testament when reading the New Testament?
- It was mentioned that salvation is never the end game, but the beginning. Shalom is the end game and discipleship is what we’re called to do as faithful followers of Jesus? How did this hit you? What are the implications if this is true?
- How can you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?
For Further Study
- Jesus and the Jewish Festivals by Gary M. Burge
- Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg – Chapters 8 and 9 deal with the content of this episode.
- Back to the Future – Yes, I did this as a Teaching Series episode, but it was originally a sermon I did that encompasses last week’s and this week’s Teaching Series episodes.
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Brad, Thank you once again for this phenomenal teaching!! I never connected the giving of the Word on Mt. Sanai and its related festival with the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentacost. You are also correct in that I had never been taught the explanation as to the location of the event happening at the Temple. Thank you for your passion, knowledge and understanding. Blessings!!
You are most welcome, Keith!
Powerful episode… powerful….. Jesus is Lord !
Indeed!
Would the Barley be Israel and the wheat the Gentiles?
TORAH His personality covenant marrying Israel and the covenant is the TORAH agreement annnnd there were the strangers-Gentiles who assented to the marriage covenant thus we also got the TORAH given to us the same time the Law was given to by Israel soooo we are already suppose under the Law-the marriage covenant????
So He rescued Israel aaaand the stranger/Gentiles at the same time but no one talks about us??
Soo the “gospel” is Jesus talking about the kingdom of God, of His Father and not himself at this time? Acts 1:3?
Praising the Father -God-not Jesus?
No, I don’t think so, Bill. That would be reading too much into things to associate the Gentiles with wheat and the Israelites with barley.
Brad, what does it mean “redeeming the golden calf”?
Hi Leah, great question. The way I positioned this in the teaching is that God doesn’t miss any details. God rescues and redeems the Israelites from Egypt … 50 days later He gives the gift of His Word … and then 3,000 die because they revolted against God. And then through Jesus, God rescues and redeems humanity from their slavery to sin … 50 days later He gives the gift of His Holy Spirit … and then 3,000 are baptized because they respond to God. The pattern is amazing and the themes carry over. So that’s what I was trying to say when I brought up the golden calf story after the 3,000 are baptized.
So good; you’re killing it with these series! Finally getting caught up after a year of being subscribed.
So glad you’re enjoying the series, Ben.
Wow wow wow! The entire series is amazing, I have learned a great deal. But this episode is by far my favorite. I have wondered about Pentecost since I was little and I have never understood. Salvation is the beginning and Shalom is the end. LOVE that! Thank you Brad!!! One more series I am very excited for and I will be caught up. What a journey! ❤️
Incredible series! I am loving all of these videos and learning so much, thank you for doing them. I have been watching them while I work out in the mornings, it keeps me going 🙂
One question- what source(s) do we have that tell us the Jews celebrated the giving of the law on Shavuot?
Hi Sarah, we get it from the Rabbis. Lois Tverberg in her book “Sitting at the Feet of Jesus” discusses this on page 117. She footnotes her research and has in her endnote, “Several pieces of evidence suggest that these Shavuot traditions were at least two to three hundred years older than in Jesus’ time … See Moshe Weinberg, Normative and Sectarian Judaism in the Second Temple Period (New York: Continuum, 2005), 268-278″ (endnote #5 on 244).
Oh, man! At the 17:13 mark, when you were talking about the Ezekiel connection, I felt like a kid approaching the top of a roller coaster hill! The understanding met the anticipation! Great series – I really appreciate the depth you give to these texts and strive to honor that preparation by using what God reveals in my everyday life.
I greatly appreciate that, Ken. Thank you. God’s Word is remarkable!
Great archaeology course with Dr.Chris McKinney from JUC this summer –saw finds and reconstruction of the real 1st century Siloam (AND the steps up to the Temple Mount – still being dug out –project by Pilate!!!) This HUGE mikvah would easily dunk the 3000 probably in three groups. At least it could handle that many and was nearby.
Love your Shavuot message – you cannot be TOO excited with our amazing King!
Emunah
I’m so thrilled you got to take that course, Emunah! Chris and I were roommates on a couple of our field studies when we were at JUC together. He’s a great guy, and a brilliant scholar. Thank for sharing!