THE POWER OF PENTECOST

Acts 1:8 NKJV "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

When we discuss the power of Pentecost the traditional view is to limit ourselves to the occurrences of the day itself. This is not to diminish the manifestations of that day as it birthed the greatest movement in the history of human kind but there’s more power to Pentecost than a day.

If Pentecost were to be limited to the day on which it occurred we would be sorely devaluing and minimizing its power and the possibilities it produced for the church.

The range of the effects of Pentecost begins with our personal experience creating transformation and extends to our impact creating a transformed society.

As we examine the Power of Pentecost we explore the vast account of how it impacted the lives of those it affected.

It will be helpful to understand the meanings and interpretations of power before we delve into its implications.

1. Dunamis

Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth moral power and excellence of soul.

This power does first in me before it does through me.

2. Exousia

The power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege) the power of rule or government (the power of Him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)

This power is about my identity and not my ability.

In order to fulfill the mandate as handed down by Christ we need not depend on any other power than the Holy Spirit.

Contrary to charismatic practices the encounter with Holy Spirit is best proven by our transformation and not merely our expressions.

The Power to Witness

Without the power to witness we will lack the ability to both produce and to present the evidence required.

Acts 1:8 KJVS “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The conduct and success of the fundamental task that is assigned will be the proof of Holy Spirit in my life.

Three realms and results:

1. Prayer - Power

2. The Word - Revelation

3. Obedience - Success

The Power to Worship

Without the Power to Worship we will not be able with use of our faculties and abilities to enter into spiritual fellowship and adoration of God.

Philippians 3:3 KJVS For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Worship in the spirit maintains our dependency on the spirit and kills reliance on flesh.

The Power of Wisdom

Without the power of wisdom we lack the ability to exercise divine judgment in the affairs of life and ministry.

Isaiah 11:2 KJVS And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

The guide to accurate exercise of judgement and discernment is Holy Spirit.

The Power of The Word

Without the Power of the word we lack the ability to impact the hearts of men by the spirit to bring them to repentance.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJVS For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

The Holy Spirit accompanies the Word with confirmations through manifestations and consistency with our profession and reputation.

The Power to Walk

Without the Power to walk our temptations, tendencies and desires would determine every decision and action in our lives resulting in their accompanying consequences.

Galatians 5:16-17 KJVS This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

This encouragement highlights the requirement of consistency in order to achieve the intended victory.

The Power to War

The Spirit accesses the realm where every battle is fought and ably represents us, delivering victory.

Ephesians 6:10-20 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Victory in the battles of life are not gained by focusing on physical manifestation but by fighting spiritual motivations.

The Power to Work

Our partnership with Holy Spirit is imperative to the effective conduct of the assignment.

John 14:26 NKJV But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Key to the assignment is our obedience to everything Jesus commanded.

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View entire service on the topic:

The Power Of Pentecost | Acts 1:8 | Rev. Dr. Eric Peters

Listen to a short Podcast on the topic:

PITBA The First Cup Podcast - The Power Of Pentecost

Four Cups One Saviour

Rev. Dr. Eric Peters

2025-06-01 Four cups One Saviour Exodus 6_6-7 - COVER

Watch full service here: https://www.youtube.com/live/WJDq2vIUF7Y?si=ZHCs2n7ShH0pS5qb

Exodus 6:6-8 NKJV Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. [7] I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. [8] And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the LORD.'"

The Passover was the act and celebration of God’s deliverance of His people from the bondage of Egypt. They were commanded to celebrate it as a reminder through generations of that specific act. They were to retell the account of their deliverance every year.

1. The Cup of Salvation (Kiddush) before the meal.

This cup represents God’s deliverance from the burdens of the Egyptians.

Exodus 1:11 NKJV Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses.

Woman with the issue of blood.

Luke 8:43-48

Song: My chains are gone

2. The Cup of Deliverance (Maggid) reading the account of deliverance.

This cup represents freedom from the bondage of the Egyptians.

Exodus 1:14 NKJV And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage-in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.

Demoniac of the Gadarenes.

Mark 5:1-17

Song: Wonderful Merciful Saviour

3. The Cup of Redemption (Birkat Hamazon) Completing the meal.

This cup represents the transaction that seals our Salvation.

Exodus 12:3-7 NKJV Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. [4] And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. [5] Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. [6] Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. [7] And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.

Woman with the Alabaster Box.

Luke 7:36-47

Song: At The Cross

4. The Cup of Restoration. (Hallel)

This Cup represents the completion of the redemptive process resulting in praise.

Exodus 15:1-4 NKJV Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! [2] The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him. [3] The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. [4] Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.

Prodigal son.

Luke 15:11-32

Song: O Praise The Name

5. The Cup of The Lord

This Cup represents an accumulation of every cup poured out into one Life who expanded the effect of the four cups before and became the cup for all.

Isaiah 53:4-5 KJVS Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The weight of this was carried on a lamb which had no will of its own and no consciousness of the significance assignment ahead.

He consciously carried it all.

Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [27] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. [28] For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

• The Cup that satisfies all the requirements of the law

• The cup that shows hope for the future

1. It is a continuous connection to the sacrifice of Christ.

2. It is a presentation of the receipt for our salvation and deliverance

3. It is an activation of the power of the sacrifice of Jesus

4. It’s a reminder that He took us out and has taken us in.

5. It is a reminder of the goodness of God

This initiates the activation of a new covenant

Song: Jesus Paid It All

The Gift of Giving: Partnering With God

Listen to The First Cup Podcast below:

PITBA The First Cup PODCAST: The Gift of Giving: Partnering With God

One of the fundamental ways of partnering with God is our giving.

Let us first dispel some myths and popular opinion which in many cases have good reason because of the prevailing behaviors.

The greatest disservice to the body was done with the rise of the word of faith movement which had as one of its pillars an over emphasis on material wealth and financial prosperity that misinterpreted scripture to prove their correction.

In this movement God was relegated to a slot machine or a spiritual godfather whose interest is simply to keep you happy by providing expensive gifts.

This teaching has attracted many wealth without wisdom and riches without relationship.

At the back end many left disappointed because was advertised was not delivered and the prophets of prosperity were left with extreme wealth and lavish lifestyles.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The response to this abuse and evil has taken us to the other extreme where we now have persons debating and with great error long held biblical principles of giving. Let us mind our response because at the wheel of this entire movement, both action and reaction is the agenda to financially strip the church that it cannot fulfill its global mandate of evangelism.

Every belief system has at its core the requirement of giving as a part of their culture.

In Islam, charitable giving is primarily known as Zakat and Sadaqah. Zakat is an obligatory, annual charity, while Sadaqah is voluntary charity that can be given at any time. Both are important for purifying wealth, purifying the soul and supporting those in need. 

In Freemasonry giving is required as a duty.

Christianity is no different as received from our parent system Judaism.

Giving is a privilege

1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Giving is built on a purpose

Any giving that is taught without a focus on the kingdom of God is unbiblical. The sole motivation for our giving and the solemn responsibility of teaching giving is that God is honored and the kingdom is strengthened to fulfill its mandates.

Any other motivation is selfish and a scheme.

Giving is a key element of kingdom culture

Jesus taught more about giving and used financial concepts for a great deal of his ministry.

The Kingdom as every other has an economic system that is different in conduct but similar in construct.

Giving is all about the kingdom.

But His context of the teaching on giving was inseparable from the teaching of the kingdom.

If we teach giving without establishing its core intent and motive will be always motivated by personal gain and enrichment.

Giving as an indicator

Giving is one of the hallmarks that provide evidence of the transformation of the hearts of individuals. Acts 2:45, Acts 5:1-11.

The Truth about tithing

The argument against tithing is becoming popular and is affecting not just the ability of the body of Christ in it resources but the ability of the believers to prosper.

Now tithing and giving in general was never initiated and was not continued based on currency. It was always about substance.

Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Today the most available thing is finance but it may not be the most valuable.

Tithing began with Abraham and not under the law.

Genesis 14:17-24 NKJV And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him. [18] Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. [19] And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; [20] And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all. [21] Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself." [22] But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, [23] that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'- [24] except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."

• An act of honor

• An act of gratitude

• An act of faith

As a principle started by Abraham who is the father of faith and of the Jewish nation when God gave them the law he codified it there.

Leviticus 27:30

Due to their failure in adhering to this law because it was under the dispensation of law we read:

Malachi 3:8-10 NKJV

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. [10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Now Jesus comes and initiates the dispensation of grace under which the motivating factor is not codified laws but LOVE.

Everything we now do is a reflection of our heart’s position toward people and God.

So in the book of Acts the manifestation of the love these early believers had for God was demonstrated by their giving regardless of a mandate to do so. Acts 2:45

So Jesus does not address it explicitly but we see an intensified giving that surpasses biblical law.

Giving Principle:

Love for God will always manifest in giving that is based on relationship and not requirement.

Tithes in the New Covenant

Hebrews 7:4-10 NKJV

Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. [5] And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; [6] but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. [7] Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. [8] Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. [9] Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, [10] for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

• if it was abolished for the new covenant there will be no need to mention it. But here the context under which it must be conducted is set.

• Honor from the inferior to the superior

• It is generationally applicable

• Tithes is physically done but spiritually registered.

• No one is exempted from it.

Why then do we give?

We practice it based on our identity, in obedience to our spiritual lineage but more than that in demonstration of our love for God.

Galatians 3:8-9 NKJV And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." [9] So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Biblical principles of giving are:

• Giving is based on relationship not on resources.

Matthew 23:23-24 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. [24] You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

• Giving is based on revelation not on recognition.

Luke 21:1-4 NIV [1] As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. [2] He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. [3] “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. [4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

• Giving is based on resolve and not a reaction.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV [7]Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

• Giving is relational and not religious.

Deuteronomy 16:17 NIV Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

Giving is reflective and not regulated.

Luke 16:10 NIV “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Conclusion

God has given the gift of giving to His kingdom as the economic system by which it is meant to grow.

True giving is a marriage between love for God and love for others.

Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; [10] then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Our first individual act of giving is ourselves.

I must give me to God completely then all that I possess automatically becomes available to Him.

The Gift of Giving: Partnering With God COVER

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