Is This That ? Pastor Adron Wheat
Part Two
Text: Acts 2:14 - 21 Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Introduction: The multitude from many nations present at Pentecost were amazed and asked one another, "What meaneth this?" That same question has been debated for centuries. Peter stood up and said; "This Is That spoken of by the prophet Joel !" Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, 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: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
It is my opinion that much of what we see today is not "That" which happened at Pentecost. Most of what we see today is a "manufactured" Pentecost, operated by the will of man rather than the Holy Ghost.
(1) The Question Of "What Is This" And "What It Means" Deserves An Answer.
(A) All the Priest, Rabbi's, and Scribes present, didn't have the answer !
(B) Some offered the opinion; "These are full of new wine."
(C) But God chose Peter (a most unlikely candidate) to answer with authority.
** Why Would God Choose Such A Man As Peter To Reveal Such Spiritual Truths? #1. Because of Peter's Reverence and Knowledge of the Scripture.
(A) Three years at the feet of Jesus, Master expositor of the Law & Prophets.
(B) Peter had learned to cast aside useless traditions of men. 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Note: His message in Acts 2 is filled with Old Testament quotes of Joel, David, Daniel, and Samuel.
Want To Be Used By The Holy Ghost ? Be A Student Of The Word ! #2. Because Of Peter's Personal Experience Of Being Filled With The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost Brings "Illumination" Of The Scripture.
(A) John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
(B) The Holy Ghost brought "rememberance" to the mind of Peter; Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, 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: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
** 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.
Note: He will only bring to "rememberance" thta which has been learned !
(2) Peter Went Right To The Purpose That The Holy Ghost Was Given.
(A) He did not give a long discourse on "tongues." to satisfy their curosity. The "sign" of tongues was left to Mark, Luke, and Paul to explain the purpose. (You will never satisfy the skeptics anyway)
(B) Peter's purpose was to present Jesus as the Messiah they had waited for.
Every Spiritual Awakening In Church History Is Linked To Pentecost (C) The message is always Jesus, the result is always the same, souls saved !
The Holy Ghost was not given to build "Personal Ministries", Universities, Theme Parks !
Jesse Duplantis made the following statement while raising money for his new T.V. studio. "Jesus will need my T.V. studio when he comes back to reign on earth." How unscriptural can you get ?
(3) Denominations Who Once Scorned The Pentecostal Experience, Called It Of The Devil, Called It Ignorance, Now Tell Their Churches; "We Now Have "That" But We Just Don't Speak In Tongues, Its Not Necessary !
Pentecost without tongues is NOT the Pentecost of the New Testament Church ! They sing the same choruses, manufacture the excitement, but "This is not That"! WHAT "THIS" IS NOT (1) The ability of learning of languages, to spreading the Gospel to foreign lands.
(2) The speaking of the subconscience mind, or being in a trance.
(3) It is not one pure human language.
(4) It is not a miracle of hearing rather than speaking.
(5) It is not the sanctified tongue of a new Believer.
(6) This did not end with the Apostolic age.
(7) This is not just the "scaffolding" that was used to build the early church.
(8) The real Pentecost is not the "babbling" of fanatics.
(9) This is not the power of the Devil, nor the working of Satan. ( He counterfeits the real !)
(10) This is not Emotionalism, neither is it an elite Spiritual Status Symbol
WHAT "THIS" IS ! * HE is the third "Person" of the Holy Trinity, along with the Father and Son !
* HE came to "Testify" of the Son of God, Jesus Christ !
* HE came to "Reprove" the world of sin !
* HE came to "Draw" men to the Father and Son !
* HE came to "Dwell" within all mankind who would believe and accept Him !
(1) He is a promised gift to all Believers.
(2) He is a personal experience, a personal contact with Jesus Christ.
(3) He is the endument of power to the Believer.
(4) He is a Comforter ( parakletos: intercessor, counselor, advocate)
(5) He is a Teacher (did-as-ko: to teach in a way to learn)
(6) He is a Guide to Truth ( hod-e-geo: To show the way, illuminate, call to rememberance)
(7) He is a Prayer Partner, when we do not know how to pray as we ought.
(8) He is a Gift Giver, operating the Gifts of the Spirit as He wills !
Will The Real Holy Ghost Please Cause Us To "Stand Up" Like The Early Church !
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