The Promise of Pentecost
Have you ever wondered what the disciples did on Pentecost? Acts 2:1 says they gathered when the Day of Pentecost had fully come.
Before the gathering, they would have celebrated the Feast of Firstfruits in the Temple. This festival, ordained by God as a statute forever, must have had great significance for the early believers.
Loaves of bread were offered, calling to mind Jesus’ promise,
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)
Baked with leaven, the bread was waved as an offering to God. Jesus was lifted up like an offering on the cross, drawing all people to Him. This isn’t the unleavened bread of Passover—this is “He is risen” bread.
Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
The feast recalled how God delivered Israel out of slavery, and people affirmed their covenant to obey Him. They gave special tithes to feed strangers, orphans and widows. There was joy—and it was for everyone.
“You shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.” (Deuteronomy 26:11)
Then came the blessing:
“Today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people … and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19)
Before they were in the Upper Room, the disciples experienced this. It’s God's bargain with Israel, and it’s His bargain with you and me. We all fall short, yet our sins are covered by Jesus’ blood. By pouring out His Holy Spirit, God seals us, writes His law in our hearts, and gives us His down payment of the life to come.
And as Peter declared,
You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim [His] praises. (1 Peter 2:9)
God bless you!
~
Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
About The Author
GORDON ROBERTSON is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network, as well as a member of CBN’s Board of Directors. He is also Chancellor of Regent University and the Chairman of the Board of Operation Blessing, CBN’s humanitarian organization.
The son of Pat and Dede Robertson, Gordon graduated from Yale University in 1980 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University in 1984. He then practiced law in Norfolk, Virginia, for 10 years.
In 1994, Gordon had a profound encounter with the Lord and moved to the Philippines, where he established CBN Asia. The following year, he founded the Asian Center for Missions (ACM), dedicated to training and sending Asian missionaries throughout the world. ACM is now one of the largest missionary agencies in the Philippines with more than 2,000 graduates trained in cross-cultural missions.
In 1996, Gordon created CBN Asia’s flagship television show, The 700 Club Asia, which is now one of the longest-running Christian television shows in the Philippines and is distributed by satellite around the world. Also in 1996, CBN Asia started a humanitarian organization, Operation Blessing Philippines, which has been recognized as “NGO of the Year” by the Philippine government.
Over the next three years, Gordon launched CBN centers in Indonesia, India, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Thailand. He moved back to the United States in 1999 to serve at CBN’s headquarters in Virginia Beach.
As Executive Producer of The 700 Club, Gordon oversees all aspects of programming for the ministry. He hosts CBN’s original flagship program, The 700 Club; as well as 700 Club Interactive, a daily show airing on Freeform and online; and Miracle Living Today.
Gordon has produced a number of documentaries and features as Executive Producer of CBN Films, including:
- Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament
- Oracles of God: The Story of the Old Testament
- Written in Stone four-part series: House of David, Kings and Prophets, Secrets of the Temple, and Jesus of Nazareth
- The Asbury Awakening
- I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland
- Treasures of the Second Temple
- Christmas: The Story Behind the Traditions
- To Life: How Israeli Volunteers Are Changing the World
- In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem
- The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel
- Whose Land Is It? Jewish and Arab Claims to Israel
- Made in Israel
- Temple of Heaven, filmed in China
Gordon is also Executive Producer of CBN Animation’s Superbook, the reimagined animation series. Its guiding mission is to bring the stories of the Bible to the children of the world in their own languages. With over 65 episodes completed, Superbook has been broadcast to millions of viewers in dozens of languages throughout the world. Other Superbook-themed videos are also being produced and released.
Gordon and his wife, Katharyn, reside in Virginia and have three grown children.
