The Sacrifice

We are considering the Lord’s promise in John 14:16-18 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”  NKJV

The consequences and ramifications of the fulfillment of this promise are many. Again, humanity will probably be investigating the wonders of this gift throughout eternity.

We already examined, in part, how Acts 2:1-4 is the beginning of the fulfillment of this promise:

“When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

From here we looked at two of the Old Testament types of this event.  

·         The dedication of the tabernacle of Moses (Leviticus 9:22-24)

·         The dedication of Solomon’s temple (I Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chronicles 5:11-14; 2 Chron. 7:1-3)

After reading these passages, we can see that one important thing is missing from the account in the books of Acts that was vital in the two Old Testament types we referenced – the sacrifice.  In Leviticus 9:22-24 and 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 fire came down from heaven to consume the sacrifice. The sacrifice seems to be missing in the book of Acts. 

Where is it?

The obvious answer is: the perfect sacrifice had occurred fifty-one days before – on the cross. Jesus was the sacrifice that pleased God to the point of answering by fire. Jesus laid down His life, was crucified, descended into hell and rose again the third day. He ascended into Heaven where He now sits at God the Father’s right hand. (I think I've heard and/or read that somewhere) So there is no sacrifice to be consumed.

Or is there?

In the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon the fire consumed the sacrifice. Jesus gave Himself completely and there was nothing left to consume. So, why the fire from heaven? The fire did not consume the apostles and other disciples who were in the upper room. They were able to lead, support, and train the great influx of new converts that came into the church in the next hours and days. Again, why the fire?

Could it be that the fire that came from heaven in the book of Acts was more like what we see in Romans 2:25-29?

“For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

For He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.”

Could it be that the fire from heaven came to consume us inwardly and our outward lives will show that consummation?

Isn't this what the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul urges in Romans 12:1-2?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Jeremiah 24:7, 11:19-20, Ezekiel 18:30-32)

This is precisely what Jesus asked for:

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matt. 16:24-25 (also Matt. 10:37-39)

John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11)

Can we reasonably expect to receive one and not the other? Would we won’t to?

Do we have the courage to allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to consumer our lives?

If we do not, are we at least willing to pray for the grace to be willing?