Disciple Makers – From Pentecost to Power
Disciple Makers
From Pentecost to Power
Act 1:4 While being together and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Of which,” He said, “you have heard Me speak. [Jhn 14:16, Jhn 14:26; Jhn 15:26]
Act 1:5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now.”
Act 1:6 So when they had come together, they asked Him repeatedly, “Lord, are You at this time reestablishing the kingdom and restoring it to Israel?”
Act 1:7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.
Act 1:8 But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
The story of Pentecost is not just a moment in the New Testament; it is a divine thread woven through the fabric of Scripture—from the Passover in Egypt to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, to this current day. God’s plan has always been intentional, leading His people from deliverance to empowerment.
Today, we’ll explore how the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in the Old Testament align with the crucifixion, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. We’ll see God’s divine orchestration in empowering His people to become witnesses to the ends of the earth.
I. From Passover to Pentecost
Exodus 12:14
“‘This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.’”
– Passover in the Old Testament: God delivered Israel from Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb. This feast commemorated their deliverance and was a cornerstone of Jewish faith. Exodus 12
– Passover Fulfilled in Christ: Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified during Passover. His blood delivers us from sin and death. 1500 years later
– Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in the Old Testament:
Fifty days after Passover, Israel celebrated the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15–21). It commemorated the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law at Sinai.
God gives the law 50 days later on Mt Sinai to Moses
He gives laws for His people to live by
He creates a nation of people. Ex19:6
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if you will in fact obey My voice and keep My covenant (agreement), then you shall be My own special possession and treasure from among all peoples [of the world], for all the earth is Mine;
Exo 19:6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation [set apart for My purpose].’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”
– Pentecost Fulfilled in the New Testament:
Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit was poured out (Acts 2).
The Law written on tablets was replaced by the Spirit written on hearts.
Hebrews 10:16
“This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their heart, and on their mind I will inscribe them [producing an inward change].”
II. The Promise of the Father: Waiting for the Spirit
Acts 1:4–5
“‘…He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised… For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”
– Jesus’ command to wait:
They were not to act until the promise was received.
Waiting meant preparation.
– The Holy Spirit would bring God’s presence to be with us and live in us.
-The Holy Spirit would Comfort, Teach, remind and Empower them.
– Jesus declared this would happen…
Jhn 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever–
Jhn 14:17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive[and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.
- Comforter: The Holy Spirit who brings divine consolation and peace to believers amid trials (John 14:16–18).
- Advocate: The Holy Spirit who defends and supports believers, representing them before the Father (John 14:26; 1 John 2:1, by extension).
- Intercessor–Counselor: The Holy Spirit who intercedes for believers with divine wisdom and provides guidance into all truth (Romans 8:26; John 16:13).
- Strengthener: The Holy Spirit who empowers believers with inner strength to live out their faith (Ephesians 3:16).
Truth teller– The world or those opposed to God think your serving God is foolishness. Jn.14:17
Indwelling presence – God is with us and in us. We are the living temple of God. Jn.14:17
Reminder – He will speak to you from the inside. Not your conscience but God in you reminding you of the Word of God to lead you and guide you. Jn.14:26.
Testifier and witness- the Holy Spirit will act as a divine witness—affirming Jesus’ identity, illuminating His teachings, empowering His followers to proclaim Him, and convicting the world of His truth. This testimony is both external (through proclamation) and internal (through spiritual illumination).
14:26 – Jhn 14:26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
Jhn 15:26 “But when the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify and bear witness about Me.
III. The Promise of Power
Acts 1:8
“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.’”
– The Spirit brings power not for performance but for purpose.
A faithful witness of Jesus combines:
- Testimony(what He did for you)
- Transformation(who you’ve become)
- Truth(what you stand for)
- Touch(how you love and serve others)
- Power(how the Spirit works through you)
Promise fulfilled
On the Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1
– The same Spirit that fell at Pentecost continues to empower the Church today for witness, unity, and transformation.
This is what happened on Pentecost.
Filled with Spirit
Spoke with tongues- languages
Peter preached and 3000 got saved.