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The Promise of the Father |
Dear Brethren,
What is the meaning of "firstfruits"?
Firstfruits are the first agricultural produce to ripen each year. God uses the analogy of the harvest to demonstrate His plan of salvation. Ancient Israel observed Pentecost - then, called the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Harvest - in late spring after the barley harvest. Firstfruits actually begin with the first ripe grain of the Wave-Sheaf offering, and continue to Pentecost. We, God's people, are a part of the Firstfruits.
"And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field." (Exodus 23:16)
"Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the Lord, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work." (Numbers 28:26)
Pentecost is also called the Feast of Weeks, referring to the seven weeks prior to the fiftieth day. "And thou shalt observe the
feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's
end." (Exodus 34:22)
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Acts 2:1)
Pentecost represents the establishment of the New Testament Church with the coming of God's Holy Spirit. God's Law was given on this day on Mount Sinai. The Holy Spirit enables Christians to keep the Law of God - even in its expanded meaning and spiritual intent. Old Testament Israel, without God's Holy Spirit, was unable to keep the commandments as God desires we keep them.
On that first New Testament Pentecost, the Church to be was waiting for the Promise of the Father. "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father." (Acts 1:4)
"...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. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:2-4) Peter later preached, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39)
Pentecost is our annual reminder of the Promise of the Father - His Holy Spirit which He has given to us.
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Sermon: |
"The Mystery of the Church"
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