Empowered by the Spirit 2: What is Pentecost?

Many scholars who have studied Luke-Acts have noticed that Luke draws on and assumes the
Old Testament view of the Holy Spirit, particularly as prophetic anointing. Through his
terminology and allusions, he intentionally recalls the Old Testament background. Then,
within the Old Testament, he draws specifically on the “sons of the prophets” associated with
the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. The ministry of Jesus is placed in parallel with the ministry
of Elijah and Elisha.

Jesus compares himself to Elijah/Elisha after his inaugural address (Luke 4:25-27)
Prophetic power Jesus Elijah Elisha
Heals leprosy Luke 2:12-13 2 Kings 5:14
Multiplies food Luke 9:16-17 1 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 4:3-7, 42-44
Raises the dead Luke 8:55 1 Kings 17:22 2 Kings 4:35
Gifts of knowledge Luke 9:45; Mark 9:33 2 Kings 5:19-27; 6:12, 32
Power flowing out Luke 6:19; 8:46 2 Kings 13:21
Bodily transportation Mark 6:48; John 6:19; Matthew 14:25-26 1 Kings 18:12
Sight of departure Luke 1:9; Acts 1:9 2 Kings 2:1-14

Pentecost as succession narrative

Given this parallel, we can confidently infer that Luke saw Pentecost as a succession narrative.
Just as Elisha “saw” Elijah ascend into heaven, and therefore received a “double portion” of his
spirit (2 Kings 2:9), so that the company of the prophets could say, “The spirit of Elijah rests
on Elisha” (2 Kings 2:15), the apostles appointed by Jesus saw him being lifted up and taken
out of their sight (Acts 1:9). As a result, the messianic anointing that was on Jesus during his
ministry was poured out on them at Pentecost.

End times prophetic restoration

Peter explains Pentecost by quoting Joel, to explain that Pentecost is essentially a prophetic
anointing (Acts 2:17-18).
Prophesy therefore functions as an umbrella term for all the phenomena that fall under it:
tongues, healing, revelatory gifts, dreams and visions. In a sense all the charismatic gifts are
manifestations of the single Old Testament anointing on the company of the prophets. The
church is now the company of the prophets. Because of that identity, it functions in a diversity
of prophetic gifts.

Commissioning and empowering

In the Old Testament background that Luke so clearly alludes to, there are important stories
that show the relationship between commissioning and empowering. The commissioning
experiences involve a theophany (a manifestation of God, often called the “angel of the Lord”).
Then the Holy Spirit “comes on” the individual or individuals to empower them to perform the
commission.

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 Biblical Persons Commissioning Empowering
Moses Exodus 3:1-16 Numbers 11:14,17
The Elders Exodus 24:9-11 Numbers11:16-25
Joshua Joshua 5:13; 6:7 Deuteronomy 34:9; Numbers 27:18-20
Gideon Judges 6:11-25 Judges 6:34
Samson Judges 13:2, 20 Judges 13:25; 14:5-19; 15:14-15
Saul 1 Samuel 10:1-2 1 Samuel 10:9-13

This is how Luke, and the gospel writers, tell the story.
 In Matthew, the mountain top experience (Matthew 28:16) recalls the mountain scene
of Moses at Sinai. The commission is given in that context (Matthew 28:18-20). The
end of Luke and the beginning of Acts function in the same way. The commission that
“repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations”
(Luke 24:47), and that they will be his witnesses “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), is
given in the context of the cloud of glory taking Jesus up to heaven.
 Then, on the Day of Pentecost, the prophetic anointing on Jesus is transferred to them,
empowering them to fulfil the commission.
Therefore, the term “subsequence” is not ideal. The point is not about the exact timing of the
experience, but about its purpose and essential nature. It is better to speak of the distinctive
nature of the Pentecostal experience.

What is obvious is that Pentecost was not the moment when the disciples were saved, or
brought into the kingdom of God. They had already been born again and commissioned
through the risen Christ (John 20:22). Pentecost is essentially a prophetic anointing event.
Then, anointed by the Spirit, they evangelized their first three thousand converts (Acts 2:37-
42) and then continued the ministry of Jesus throughout Acts, through many prophetic signs.

For discussion and interaction

1. Different views on this topic should be encouraged. Do any of you think Pentecost was
the moment when the disciples were born again? If so, explain why?
2. Or, does defining Pentecost as a distinct empowering experience make more sense?
Explain why.
3. Does the view we take make any difference to the way we do church, and what
expectations we create for ourselves and our people?
4. Do you think you have received a Pentecostal empowering?
5. Spend time preparing yourselves in prayer for what God might want to do next.

2 Bible Study