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Mark this word: Jesus was seen by the disciples for forty days after his death at Passover; at the fortieth day, He promised them the Holy Spirit, commissioned them, then was formally taken up, as a cloud received him out of their sight. Then these Nazarites returned unto Jerusalem, staying apart in separation, they abode in secret in a building known as the “upper room.” And they continued in one accord in prayer and supplication — for ten days until the day of Pentecost.
And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come (fiftieth day since Passover), these Nazarites were with one accord in the upper room… 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.
In was then, during this Day of Pentecost, that Peter, who had turned coward the night Jesus was arrested, three times denying even knowing Jesus, stood up and, full of the Holy Spirit power of God, preached to the throng in Jerusalem, with authority:
This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, I shall pour out my Spirit upon all flesh… Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.
Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should have held him, for David spoke concerning him many prophecies concerning the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in Hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the Right Hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear.
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you 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. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Such was the beginning of the Nazarite born again movement which has continued through history, even unto this terminal generation.
Now rest assured, it had taken years of Jesus’ public ministry to finally bring his disciples to the understanding that He was actually the Son of God, the consummate Nazarite upon whom death has no power — even as He voluntarily laid down his own life as the atonement, not for his sins, as He had none, rather for our sins, as the atoning Lamb of God, Lamb of the Passover, who made the ultimate Sacrifice for sin, once and for all time.
Towards the end of his ministry, He posed the question: Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. And Jesus asked, But whom do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven. 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.
Then charged He his disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But Jesus turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offense unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man.
Once his disciples had received revelation that He was indeed to be the suffering Messiah, written about by David and the prophets (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53 etc.), He began to reveal to them that his death, burial, and resurrection would be the complete fullfillment of the Law and the prophets.
He rebuked Peter because this Nazarite was viewing this Work through Jewish eyes, rather than Christian eyes. He then gave them the essence of the New Covenant Nazarite vow: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
TAKE NOTE: these living words of commission continue unto today and apply to all Jewish/Arab Neophytes dwelling in Jerusalem, during the year 5996, thus fulfilling the Day of the New Pentecost.
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