Pentecost: Worship, God’s Dwelling, and Fire

On the eighth day of the third month in the year 28 A.D., the Church of the Body of Christ began. It was the day of Pentecost, ten days after the ascension of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On that day, in the Temple at Jerusalem, Peter and the eleven apostles with him were born again of incorruptible seed. They manifested the gift of holy spirit by speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:1-5:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [Peter and the eleven other apostles] were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind [a heavy breathing], and it filled all the house [the Temple, the house of God] where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

By speaking in tongues, these twelve apostles were witnesses of the risen Christ. The people from every nation could see and hear that the twelve had received into manifestation the promised gift of holy spirit. Peter explained this to them.

Acts 2:32,33:
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 ye now see and hear.

Peter taught those present to be born again by acknowledging Jesus as lord and by believing that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9,10). When they asked what they should do, Peter told them to repent and receive spiritual cleansing in the name of Jesus Christ. He told them that they too could receive the gift of holy spirit into manifestation.

Acts 2:34-38:
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.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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 ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Speaking in Tongues: Worshipping Truly by the Spirit

During his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ had prophesied of a new way to worship the Father. At that time, worship was still conducted in the Temple at Jerusalem. There were certain feast days like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, along with new moons and Sabbaths. But as Jesus told a Samaritan woman, something new was coming!

John 4:21-24:
Jesus saith unto her [the Samaritan woman at the well], Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth [truly by way of the spirit].

When he was with his disciples between his resurrection and ascension, Jesus Christ said that those who believe would speak with new tongues. He showed them how to breathe in and receive the gift of holy spirit into manifestation. This breathing in was the sound of a heavy breathing that filled the Temple on the day of Pentecost.

Mark 16:17:
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.

John 20:21,22:
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them [he breathed in], and saith unto them, Receive [into manifestation] ye the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit].

The Apostle Paul later spoke of worshipping in the spirit. This worship is not based on altars, tabernacles, or temples. It has no confidence in fleshly rituals or special “holy” days or places. This worship allows us to rejoice in what God has done for us through the accomplished work of His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ.

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

Speaking in Tongues: Praying in the Spirit

We have no confidence in worshipping God by our own abilities. God gives us His gift of holy spirit, and that allows us to worship Him in the spirit. Paul explained that speaking in tongues was a manifestation of the gift of holy spirit. It is speaking mysteries to God “in the spirit.”

I Corinthians 12:7-10; 14:2:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit…to another divers kinds of tongues.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Speaking in tongues is also praying in the spirit. As we are strong in the Lord, we can pray in the spirit for one another.

I Corinthians 14:14:
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth.

Ephesians 6:10,18:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

God’s Dwelling Place Today

Jesus Christ told the woman at the well that a time was coming when God would no longer be worshipped at Jerusalem. Since the day of Pentecost, nearly two thousand years ago, God now lives in us, His children. We can worship Him in spirit and in truth anywhere and anytime.

Ephesians 2:20-22:
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

I Corinthians 3:16:
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

God Dwelling with His People: Noah and Abraham

God has always desired to dwell with His people. In the Old Testament, altars were built to worship God and show His presence. Fire was used to burn up offerings. After the flood, “Noah builded an altar unto the Lord…and offered burnt offerings on the altar” (Genesis 8:20).

The Lord appeared to Abram (later Abraham) between Bethel and Hai. Abram built an altar there (Genesis 12:7,8). He returned to that altar to worship the Lord after sojourning in Egypt (Genesis 13:4). After moving on, Abram built another altar in Hebron (Genesis 13:18).

The first time “worship” is used in the Bible refers to Abraham building an altar to God. Abraham misunderstood God’s intent and nearly killed his son Isaac. Yet God sent an angel to save Isaac, and Abraham recognized God’s presence. He is the Lord Who sees and provides.

Genesis 22:5,6,13,14:
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

It was then that God reaffirmed His promise to Abraham that in his seed would all nations of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 22:15-18:
And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

This was a promise to Abraham that the Messiah would come from his family line. This is explained in Galatians.

Galatians 3:16:
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

God Dwelling with His People: Abraham’s Descendants

The Lord appeared to Abraham’s son, Isaac, in Beersheba. Isaac built an altar there (Genesis 26:23-25).  Isaac’s son, Jacob, came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, and built an altar there (Genesis 33:18-20). Later Jacob built another altar at Bethel (Genesis 35:1-7). Moses was a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through Jacob’s son, Levi. God gave Moses revelation concerning worshipping Him.

God Dwelling with His People: Moses and the Tabernacle

God had Moses build a tabernacle so that He could dwell among His people. God gave Moses the pattern, which included the ark of the Lord and an altar.

Exodus 25:8,9:
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
According to all that I shew thee,afterthe pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

When Moses pitched the tabernacle and went into it, God showed His presence there, and all the people worshipped the Lord.

Exodus 33:7-10:
And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass,thatevery one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which waswithout the camp.
And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle,thatall the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.
And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, andthe Lordtalked with Moses.
And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand atthe tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

When Moses completed building the tabernacle and its court, God showed His glory by fire.

Exodus 40:33-38:
And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

God Dwelling with His People: David, Solomon, and the Temple

Years later, King David pitched a tabernacle in Jerusalem for the ark of the Lord and the altar.

II Samuel 6:15,17:
So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

David’s son, Solomon, offered a thousand burnt offerings on this same altar that God had instructed Moses to build years before. And that very night, God appeared to Solomon.

II Chronicles 1:4-7:
But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the Lord, which wasat the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

Solomon built the Temple, the house of the Lord, at Jerusalem where the Lord had appeared to his father David. Solomon built a brazen altar and then brought the tabernacle to where the new Temple was built. It was a transitional time when the ark of the Lord would be placed in the Temple to signify God’s presence. The Temple would be a new place to worship the Lord.

II Chronicles 3:1; 4:1; 5:2-5:
Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month.
And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark.
And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up.

At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon thought that he had built the Lord a house forever. He knew that God dwelt in the heavens.  But Solomon wanted God to answer prayers made at the Temple so that all the people of the earth would respect the Lord.

II Chronicles 6:1,2,33:
Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

Solomon prayed that God would dwell among His people in the Temple. He asked the Lord God to remember “the mercies of David.” This was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Acts 13:34).

II Chronicles 6:41,42:
Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

As with Moses in the Tabernacle, God answered Solomon’s prayer and showed his presence in the Temple with His glory and fire. Then all the children of Israel worshipped and praised the Lord.

II Chronicles 7:1-3:
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

God’s Dwelling and Worship: Not with Men’s Hands

Isaiah the prophet knew that the Almighty God is too great to dwell in any man-made structure. He put the Temple in its proper perspective.

Isaiah 66:1:
Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

After the day of Pentecost, Stephen gave a succinct overview of God’s dwelling place in the times of Moses, David, and Solomon. Stephen quoted Isaiah to remind his listeners of God’s greatness and majesty.

Acts 7:44-50:
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus [Joshua] into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle [an encampment or home] for the God of Jacob.
But Solomon built him an house.
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Heavenismy throne, and earthismy footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or whatisthe place of my rest?
Hath not my hand made all these things?

The Apostle Paul told those on Mar’s Hill that the “Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands” (Acts 17:24,25). Today God dwells in us, His children. We don’t worship Him with our hands or any man-made devices. Why? Because Jesus Christ came to bring a new baptism, not in water but in the holy spirit and fire. John the Baptist spoke of what Jesus Christ would do.

Matthew 3:11:
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

The Biblical Significance of Fire

Fire has Biblical significance regarding cleansing and purifying. At times God sent fire to show that He accepted an offering or sacrifice (Genesis 15:17; I Kings 18:38). When Moses completed the tabernacle and Solomon dedicated the Temple, the glory of the Lord filled those structures and God showed Himself by fire. Jesus Christ came to baptize with the holy spirit and fire. Shortly after Jesus Christ’s ascension, on the day of Pentecost in 28 A.D., God showed the twelve apostles “cloven tongues like as of fire” that sat upon each of them. Then they spoke in tongues. Those who heard them said that they spoke “the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11).

As born again sons of God, we have the gift of holy spirit and can worship our heavenly Father “in spirit and in truth.” God desires that we speak in tongues in our personal lives so that we are edified (I Corinthians 14:4,5). We simply love our Father and thank Him for all that He has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, knowing that those things we do with God’s love according to His Word will endure the “fire” of the future. We will be rewarded for those things we build in this life.

I Corinthians 3:11-16:
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

What a joy it is to know that we are the “temple of God” today and that His spirit dwells in us. We can worship Him in spirit and in truth as we rejoice in Christ Jesus!