Sixth Dispensation—“Grace”
Chart Objective:
To investigate the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit and the inauguration of the church which occurred during the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.
Chart Outline:
A. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”
B. Old Testament prophecy
C. “Then Peter said unto them”
D. Sixth Dispensation—“Grace”
A. “And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost”
Acts 2:4
A new day, a new age, a new era had finally arrived! The moment for which one hundred twenty believers had expectantly waited. To onlookers it was simply another Jewish observance—the Feast of Pentecost.
Meaning “fiftieth,” Pentecost occurs fifty days after Passover. In the Old Testament it was also known as the Feast of Weeks, the Day of the Firstfruits, and the Feast of Harvests. The feast commemorating the giving of the law at Mount Sinai was celebrated on the sixth day of the month Sivan (our month of June).
Devout Jewish families had traveled to the ancient city of David to participate in the festivities. But one home in the city had no plans for celebration. At any moment Christ’s blessed promise could arrive, and they determined to wait until . . .
At the third hour of the day (nine o’clock in the morning), men and women were sitting, meditating on events of the last month . . . wondering . . . waiting.
A roaring sound was faintly heard, like an approaching windstorm—and indeed it was!
As the noise intensified, everyone in the upper room could hear the sound of a violently roaring wind. It soon filled the entire house.
Each of the disciples sensed a submerging of his spirit deep within. It was difficult to describe, but this was what John had predicted: “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost!”
“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Luke 3:16).
Unusual sounds began pouring from their lips. Rather than their normal Aramaic language, God’s Spirit was forming foreign words. Flowing from within, like rivers of living water, was a new language. They were speaking with “new tongues” as Jesus had promised (Mark 16:17).
Some were probably singing in tongues, some joyously laughing, some weeping, some dancing and swaying, and others sitting with folded hands, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
These explicit details are not recorded, but when our spirits are affected and inspired by the Holy Spirit, our emotions respond in various ways. Luke recorded it like this:
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And 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 Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).
What were the disciples saying? Not a word could be understood—until visitors and Jerusalem residents traced the noise to the house and hurried upstairs.
What was going on? Common Galileans with no formal religious training were fluently speaking in various foreign dialects. And each was praising God and proclaiming His wonderful works!
Curious, the mob strained to peek at the tongue-talking Jews. Having originated from every country in the world, these devout keepers of Moses’ law were hearing praises to God in their native languages! Representatives of the entire Jewish nation were hearing positive proof that the promise expected for centuries had arrived!
B. Old Testament prophecy
Joel 2:28-29; Isaiah 28:10-12;
Ezekiel 11:19-20; Jeremiah 31:31-33
Old Testament scriptures richly described the Holy Spirit advent. Several prophets had penned vivid details, without grasping their meaning. Joel had written: “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” (Joel 2:28-29).
Isaiah had also glimpsed the glory of this new experience:
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: for with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear” (Isaiah 28:10-12).
Ezekiel described the “new heart” or “new spirit” designed for believers:
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
Jeremiah described the inward written covenant:
“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33).
More recently, John the Baptist had predicted:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).
Finally, after centuries of glimpses and hints—it had happened! Standing on the threshold of a new era, one hundred twenty waiting believers greeted the glorious inauguration of the church age—the new covenant— the new spiritual kingdom of God—the dispensation of grace!
However, some were not elated. When the scribes and Pharisees recognized Jesus’ followers, they immediately rejected all!
“I can tell you the problem . . . they are full of new wine!” someone snickered. New wine was the most intoxicating of all wines. Dried grapes soaked in old wine were pressed a second time to produce wild, delirious emotions. Doubters rejected the supernatural by labeling it drunkards’ gibberish.
Was that true? Who could offer an explanation?
C. “Then Peter said unto them”
Acts 2:38-39
Confused and curious spectators, divided in opinion, demanded an explanation. It was time to open the door to God’s new spiritual kingdom.
But who would have the keys to that door? John? James? Matthew? No, Jesus Himself had already designated the spokesman. In answer to the question, “Whom do men say that I am?” Peter had correctly answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This was the Master’s commendation:
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19).
The chief apostle stood to speak. Let’s listen. But . . . wait! Could he communicate with this crowd? He’s a Galilean and they represent nations from around the world. Must Peter speak in a miraculous language?
Critics of speaking in tongues insist that the purpose for speaking in tongues at Pentecost was to preach to foreign Jews. A momentary gift of languages was necessary to explain Jesus’ resurrection. Once proclaimed to the nation’s representatives, there was no further need for speaking in tongues.
However, in the biblical era, almost everyone spoke more than one language. The entire New Testament was written in Greek, attesting that all the apostles could both speak and write the Greek language. Peter’s sermon was probably in the commonly understood Greek language.
Refuting their accusations, Peter began by denying that the disciples were intoxicated. No one ate or drank at the Feast of Pentecost until after the third hour (nine o’clock in the morning). It was still too early to be drunk!
Yet they did appear drunk—just as folks often do today when drinking of the Spirit’s living water.
A spiritual experience must be explained by God’s Word. To overrule objections, Peter quoted an ancient prophecy:
“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh . . . And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:16-17, 21).
Having taken his text, Peter obeyed Jesus’ command and began to preach the gospel.
Far and wide Jesus had openly healed the sick and raised the dead, affirming that He was God manifest in the flesh. With wicked, cruel hands they had slain Him. But God had set Him free from the penalty of death.
Further emphasizing that Christ had become the “firstborn” of the dead, Peter quoted from a favorite Jewish ancestor. David had rejoiced that his soul would not be left in hell. He foresaw that the promised “Son of David” would redeem the souls of men after becoming the “first begotten” from the dead (Acts 2:25-27, 31).
Because of Jesus’ conquest over Satan, hell, and death, God had highly exalted Him!
Jesus had instructed His disciples to tell no man that He was the Christ until after the Resurrection (Matthew 17:9). And now it must be proclaimed to all the world!
Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, Jesus had poured out His Spirit “which ye now see and hear.” The gift of the Holy Ghost is a pledge of all favors intended for the future.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).
What a terrifying thought! Having witnessed Jesus’ miraculous ministry, now they discovered themselves to be responsible for His death! . . . Guilty of crucifying their Messiah!
Peter’s words stung with conviction. The blood of this righteous man—their Messiah— was staining the conscience of every stunned listener. What a powerful effect the preaching of the gospel had upon the hearers!
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
That question is often repeated as individuals ponder the devastating effects of their own transgressions against the Savior of mankind. “What can I do to rid myself of this terrible guilt? How can I be pardoned for the grief that I have caused my Lord?”
Once the multitude believed the gospel message, they became eligible to receive the same blessed gift entrusted to the one hundred
twenty. Furthermore, Peter’s key of entrance qualifies believers of every subsequent generation:
“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 Ghost. 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).
Even though “afar off,” without natural Jewish heritage, we Gentiles rejoice to be regarded as “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). This supreme blessing is for every person.
That same day, three thousand people obeyed Peter’s instructions and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Thus, the church for which Jesus shed His blood began with 3,120 members.
But is the Holy Spirit really for us today? What controversy this question has created in the religious world! Many dutifully accept Peter’s command to “repent, and be baptized.” But they strongly resent the accompanying promise.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost was not merely delegated to the apostles and a favored few. No hint is given of a change in God’s plan. This gift is every believer’s birthright privilege!
D. Sixth Dispensation—“Grace”
(The Church Begins)
Ephesians 5:25-27
A new door had just opened! A new era; a new experience; a new covenant; a new kingdom; a new dispensation; a new church of “called-out” people of every race and nation.
Better than any previous era, the sixth is the “dispensation of grace.” The word “grace” indicates that men can freely enjoy the unmerited, undeserved favor, kindness, and pleasure of God—all because of Calvary. The sin problem was forever settled when Jesus’ blood legally redeemed us and He triumphed over death and Satan.
The new covenant offers a new priesthood, new sacrifices, a new law, and a new walk. When we transfer our lordship from Satan to Christ, His laws are written in our hearts.
A direct, personal contact with our heavenly Father has been made possible for everyone. Little did the apostles realize that day that the gospel had opened the door of salvation to all flesh. Just as Abraham believed, all who trust in God’s promises are eligible to enter this glorious new spiritual kingdom.
Even despised Gentiles can inherit God’s promises without having to become proselyte Jews. The wall of partition had been broken down between the two (Ephesians 2:14)!
What the law could not do, faith in Christ has provided:
“If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Galatians 3:21-22).
What favor God has shown this dispensation of believers! In the Old Testament, the moving of the Spirit among God’s people is described as: “the Spirit of God came upon them”; “the Spirit of God moved them”; “the Spirit of God spake by them.”
Such expressions indicate that a part of the believer’s mind or personality was Spirit-controlled. But their spirits were dead! Until Jesus became the “firstborn” from the dead, no one since Adam’s transgression had felt LIFE flowing through his being!
Now let’s review how we may enter into this New Covenant relationship and the kingdom of God.