Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The Milk and Meat of Pentecost (Part Seven)


There are three times that the commandment, “Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk” is mentioned in the Bible. (Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, Deut. 14:21).

The Jews practice this commandment by not eating dairy products and meat products in the same meal.

On the day of Pentecost, it is a Jewish custom to first eat a dairy meal, then after a short interruption, to eat a meat meal. We can see the spiritual fulfillment of this on the day of Pentecost when God poured out His Spirit.

What does the Bible say about milk and meat, and what do these have to do with the day of Pentecost?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

It appears in these verses that milk is for those that have not gotten control of their carnal nature and are needing to spend their time on repentance rather than on the work of God. The Lord is gracious and patient as with a baby with its needs of dirty diapers, bottles, whining and crying.

Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

It appears in these verses that meat is for those that have matured in Christ, and are in a position to care for and teach “babes in Christ”.

It appears that milk represents obeying the gospel, while it appears meat represents preaching and teaching the gospel.

Jesus’ use of the word “meat” when speaking to His disciples sheds light on this meaning. (John 4:4-42)

Jesus had ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well. He spoke to her of the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of God within that brings everlasting life. He told her that true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. He revealed to her that He is Messiah.

Jesus’ then spoke to His disciples.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 4:35-36 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

On the day of Pentecost, those in the upper room that first received the Holy Ghost had already been baptized in Jesus name. (John 3:22, 26, John 4:1-2) When God poured out His Spirit on them and they were speaking in other tongues as His Spirit gave them utterance, it appears they went out into the streets. (Acts 2:4, 6) The multitudes that were gathered for the holy day of Pentecost heard the disciples speaking in their own language the wonderful works of God. (Acts 2:11) The disciples were now born of the water and of the Spirit. They had obeyed the gospel.

We could say the first part of the morning was like a milk meal.

After the multitudes witnessed the Spirit filled behavior of the disciples, they asked the question, “What meaneth this?” Others mocking said, “These men are full of new wine.” (Acts 2:12, 13)

First came the obedience to the gospel, then came the preaching of the gospel. It could be said the second part of the morning on the day of Pentecost was like a meat meal.

After Peter explained the fulfillment of prophecies that had just taken place, he preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the gospel.

After the multitudes heard the preaching of Peter, they asked the question, “Men and brethren what shall we do?”

Then Peter preached how to obey the gospel.

Acts 2:38 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.

Just as Jesus said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of” when He preached the gospel to the woman at the well, so Peter had meat to eat on the day of Pentecost when he preached the gospel to the multitudes. (John 4:32)

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.


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