The Church as Pentecostal Community Acts 1-2 Session 3

This session Pentecost as kingdom event: inaugurated eschatology Pentecost as succession narrative: Elijah-Elisha Pentecost as birth narrative: parallel to Luke 1-2 Pentecost as prophetic anointing: prophetic community Pentecost as the New Temple: a theophany Pentecost as new covenant community formation Pentecost as missional paradigm event

1. Pentecost as kingdom event

What is Pentecost? A “last days” event happening now: the decisive beginning of the new era of the Spirit. The communication of the ‘already’ reign of the ascended Christ. The power to execute his rule. More than forgiveness and new life. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear (2:33-36).

2. Pentecost as succession narrative

The Elijah-Elisha narrative is the closest parallel to the ministry of Jesus: Multiplication of food/oil. Healing of leprosy. Raising to life of a dead child. Exercise of prophetic gifts of knowledge. Power flowing out involuntarily. Being transported by the Spirit. The taking up to heaven as the moment of succession and anointing of the Spirit.

Pentecost as succession narrative The “double-portion” of the Spirit on Jesus is poured out on his disciples, because they “see” him ascend!

3. Pentecost as birth narrative

Luke & Acts in Parallel Item Luke Acts Beginning Birth, Anointing of Jesus Baptism, filling of disciples Inaugural message Jesus’ Nazareth sermon Peter’ Pentecostal sermon Confirmatory signs Casting out demons and healing sick in Capernaum Healing lame man at beautiful gate Success Widespread popular acclaim Opposition Pharisees, leaders of the Jews Sanhedrin, Jews of the dispersion Travel/spread Itinerant ministry in Galilee and Judea Missionary journeys of Peter and Paul Arrest and trial Threefold trial: Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod Threefold trial: Felix, Festus and Agrippa Consummation The Cross Rome …?

Phenomena of the Spirit in Jesus’ birth narrative: Angelic revelation to Zechariah, John’s father Angelic revelation to Mary, Jesus’ mother Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit Elizabeth, John’s mother, filled with the Spirit Zechariah prophesies, filled with the Spirit Simeon prophesies about Jesus’ future Anna prophesies about Jesus’ future Climax: The power of the Holy Spirit comes on Jesus at his baptism

Phenomena of the Spirit prepare the disciples for Pentecost: Jesus gives them power and authority to heal the sick and drive out demons. The risen Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into them. Climax: The Holy Spirit comes on them at Pentecost, in parallel to Jesus’ baptism: The era of the Spirit begins, decisively for them. They are now successors of the anointing that was on him.

4. Pentecost as prophetic anointing

Old Testament phenomena of the power of the Spirit: Bands of prophets who come under the power of the Spirit through worship. Prophesying (as inspired utterance) under the power of the Spirit. Being overcome by the Spirit. Being empowered by the Spirit for battle = ministry. With Elijah/Elisha: healing, multiplication of food, gifts of knowledge, raising the dead, bodily transportation.

Early church prophetic phenomena: Clothed with power from on high, the Spirit “coming on” the disciples = Old Testament prophetic language. They utter inspired praise to God, like the Old Testament sons of the prophets. They appear to be drunk = overcome, like the sons of the prophets. They experience ecstatic utterance (= prophecy). From then on they heal the sick, exorcise demons, have gifts of knowledge, raise the dead―just like Jesus/Elijah/Elisha.

5. Pentecost as the New Temple

Old Testament phenomena: Theophany Mount Sinai: Fire, loud sound, quaking, glory of God on the mountain. When Solomon’s temple inaugurated, cloud filled the temple, priests collapsed (1 Kings 8:11). Isaiah 6, the vision of the temple, “filled with smoke/cloud”. After Solomon’s temple was destroyed, the glory of God never filled the post-exilic temple. Old Testament prophets and inter-testamental writings hoped for a New, eschatological temple.

The New Temple: Jesus is the New Temple, which “tabernacled” with us (John 1:15). He said he would build a New Temple - “his body.” The phenomena at Pentecost indicate that a New Temple has come down. Just as the priest could not stand, so the disciples appear to be overcome. Paul theologizes this in Ephesians 2:19-22, explaining that the church is the New Temple. The Pentecostal Temple is the inauguration in advance of the final Temple/City/Bride in Revelation 21:1-22:5.

6. Pentecost as the New Covenant community formation

New Covenant Community Formation The selection of Matthias, the 12th apostle. The 12 apostles are the representatives of the New Israel. This New Israel incorporates the entire diaspora, but more, “every nation under heaven” signifies the reversal of Babel (2:5-11). It is multicultural (international): includes “sons and daughters” (2:17; 1:12-14), “young and old” (2:17), masters and servants (1:18). Paul: it includes Jews and Gentiles, males and females, slaves and free, more or less civilized. The eschatological community is a priesthood of every tribe, tongue, people and nation (Revelation 5:9; 7:9).

7. Pentecost as the missional paradigm event

Is Pentecost once-off, or repeated? In one sense, it is unrepeatable. The new era of the Spirit can only start, decisively, once. But, as new people groups are reached with the gospel, new Pentecost’s come: The Jews (2). The Samaritans (8:15-18) The Gentiles (10:44-48) The Ephesians (19:1-7) Also, the disciples are filled again and again (Acts 2; 4:31; 13:52). Individuals, like Paul, have their own Pentecost (9:17).