In the following article, we will demonstrate once again that pouring out of the Spirit was the definitive sign that Israel was being restored in the first century. We will also demonstrate that Israel’s restoration was in fact the restoration of the Davidic kingdom to Israel. Said another way, we will prove the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost signified that the Davidic kingdom was being restored to Israel in Jesus Christ. Let’s begin.
Jesus had been crucified, buried, and he had risen again the third day. He had spent forty days instructing his disciples about the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), and had opened their minds that they might understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45). As he prepared to ascend to the right hand of the Father he promised his disciples that they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). His promise of the Spirit prompted a significant question from his disciples….
“… Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
Notice that the disciples connected the pouring out of the Spirit upon them with the restoration of their kingdom. (Acts 1:5-6) As we shall see, they were right to do so.
Ten days later the twelve apostles (representing the twelve tribes of Israel) were baptized with the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the promise of Jesus. Peter, who had been given the “keys of the kingdom” (Mathew 16:19) stood up in front of his fellow Jews from “every nation under heaven”, and gave the inspired interpretation of what had just taken place.
Acts 2:29-33,36,38
Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear…. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.
To understand Peter’s message, we must first understand the “promise” given to David to which Peter refers.
2 Samuel 7:12-13
“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Notice, God through the prophet Nathan promised David that he would “raise up” his descendant (Seed) to sit on his throne and to establish his kingdom. This prophecy was typologically fulfilled in Solomon who sat upon his father David’s throne and ruled over his kingdom. However, this prophecy was Messianic, and Peter tells us that it was fulfilled through the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
“… God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ… This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
According to Peter, Jesus was the descendant (Seed) of David who was “raised up” (resurrected) and ascended to the right hand of God to receive the throne and kingdom of David. Jesus did not receive the Holy Spirit upon his ascension, he received the throne and kingdom of David which was the “promise of the Spirit” (the promise given to David by the Holy Spirit through the prophet Nathan – 2 Samuel 7:12-13).
By Peter saying that Jesus had “raised up” and “exalted to the right hand of God”, he was saying that Jesus had been seated on David’s throne to establish his kingdom. Israel’s King had been enthroned and the pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel was the proof. Listen to what Peter says next….
Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear”.
Did you catch it? The Holy Spirit had been “poured forth” as the result of Jesus’ exaltation to the right hand of God, the enthronement of Jesus enabled Israel to receive the Spirit. John communicates the same truth in his gospel.
John 7:39
But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John connected the giving (baptism) of the Spirit with the glorification (enthronement) of Jesus. The Spirit would not be given until Jesus was glorified, and when Jesus was glorified, the Spirit would be given. The two events are interconnected. So according to Peter, the baptism of the Spirit upon Israel meant that Jesus had been seated on the throne of David in the heavens, he had been enthroned and glorified. What Peter says next proves this definitively, listen….
“Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified”
The word “therefore” connects this verse with the previous one. Because the Holy Spirit had been poured out, the house of Israel could “know for certain” that Jesus had been made both Lord (King) and Christ (Messiah). Notice how the word “therefore” connects the two verses.
“… He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ…”
As we have shown repeatedly, the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the definitive sign to Israel that her Messianic restoration had begun. But as we have demonstrated above, that’s not all that the pouring out of the Spirit signified.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit upon Israel on the day of Pentecost was the undeniable sign to Israel by which they would “know for certain” that Jesus had ascended to the throne of David, and had become their King and Messiah.
Therefore, by receiving Jesus as Messiah, Israel was being restored to her kingdom, and the kingdom to Israel, and the pouring out of the Spirit from on high was the sign to every nation under heaven.
Continued in Part 9
Dan Dery
Titus 1:9