Letter to our Friends - April 29, 2020

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Greetings friends from West Central Florida:

We hope and pray that you have been growing this week in the grace and knowledge of the Lord our God.

We have been dealing in matters this week related to Matthew 28:19-20 and Galatians 6:10.

Pentecost

Pentecost is May 30th at sunset to May 31st at sunset.

Most who profess Christ know something about Pentecost. Many properly consider it the beginning of the New Testament Church of God which began on Monday, June 18th, 31 AD.

The apostles were told to wait in Jerusalem to receive the power of the Holy Spirit:

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard Me; 5) for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” – Acts 1:4-5; NKJV and hereafter unless otherwise noted.

So, they waited. And:

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” – Acts 2:1.

Notice it was when the Day of Pentecost had fully come. The Bible is clear that the events that follow were directly related to the fact that the Day of Pentecost had fully come. And the apostles were all observing it together.

Here is what happened:

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven [the sky], as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance. …

38) Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off [in the generations to come], as many as the Lord our God will call.’ 40) And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ 41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. … 47) [P]raising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:2-4, 38-42, 47.

They received some of the power of God’s Spirit. The Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, the greater majority of Protestants, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Church of God all believe that this was the beginning of the New Testament Church of God. And rightly so. The Holy Spirit (be sure to read our free no-obligation online booklet “Is God a Trinity?” in which Mr. Garrett properly explains from God’s living Word the truth concerning the Trinity) was gifted at a certain time (the same time that many Jews observed Pentecost).

That was not a coincidence.

Many may not realize that Pentecost represented more than just the gifting of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the New Testament Church of God.

Minister Michael C. Garrett has this to say concerning the Day of Pentecost:

“Christ In You! … we must have God’s Spirit which is represented by the Feast of Pentecost. And so, individual salvation – that Plan is given to us in the Spring Holy Days. … The Spring Holy Days are a continuum. What happens in Passover and Unleavened Bread, and down as you get into the Feast of Pentecost – a continuous series of events which are all interrelated and intertwined. And the same thing is true with the Fall Holy Days. …

Just a quick perusal, turn to Acts 2 – the account of where we read about the Day of Pentecost – when God for the first time pours out His Spirit in mass on human beings. Now keep in mind there had been multiple times throughout Biblical history where God indeed had given His Spirit to servants and prophets of God. But here on this day on 31 A.D., something very special happened. And, we won’t read every Scripture here, but let’s go to Verse 21 of Acts chapter 2 – “’ And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD [the Lord Jesus Christ] Shall be saved.’” Verse 22 – “Men of Israel [and you men of the different organizations which want to be a part of the Kingdom of God and wish to pursue the teachings of this Bible], hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know – 23) Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken …” this is Peter speaking to the men, some of which have called for His death. Some of which, just a few days before – a month-and-a-half before – were chanting ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ And yet, here, Peter says, “by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24) whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He [Jesus Christ] should be held by it …” - isn’t that a beautiful concept!? Jesus Christ walked out of the tomb! And by that He established a pattern, and an example that someday all of us who is called His sisters and brothers, His friends, will someday have the same opportunity!! If we die before the Return of Jesus Christ we too will walk out of our graves! I love that thought!

Verse 38 – listen carefully to what Peter says – this is an extremely well known and recited verse; this is a foundational Scripture that all of us need to know about, think about, and appreciate. And give thanks to Jesus Christ because it’s in the Book! The reality of it – it is true! “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, …’” – what does the word repent mean!? It means simply change your ways. Change your direction. Change your focus. Change your goals. Change your motivation. “…’ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized…’” – and listen to this next part – “…’ in the name of Jesus Christ …’” – no other name. No other name under heaven, on earth, anywhere in the universe by which you could be saved. “’ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ …’” – that wonderous, glorious name and title! Jesus, the Anointed One! Jesus, the Messiah! Jesus, the Savior! And if you do you will have your sins forgiven “…’ and you shall receive the gift of [God’s] Holy Spirit.’”

Also, looking at other passages provides even more valuable information about this sanctioned and commanded day of the LORD God, and its meaning.

The Feast of Pentecost was kept by true Christians after the initial one, yet, without the speaking in different languages. The Apostle Paul continued keeping Pentecost decades after the Pentecost mentioned in Acts 2. Notice his inspired words, written about 55 A.D.:

“For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8) But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.” – 1 Corinthians 16:7-8.

This shows us that Paul knew when Pentecost was and that he felt that the Corinthians knew when Pentecost was, and that the Ephesians would have known when Pentecost was. So, it was being observed by Paul, and the Gentiles in Ephesus and in Corinth.

Here’s another year, the Apostle Paul wished to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost, around 61-64 A.D.:

“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.” – Acts 20:16.

So, true Christians in Jerusalem were still observing Pentecost, and Paul was observing it too! Otherwise, there would have been no obvious reason why Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.

The Greek term for Pentecost means 50th. And, that term is derived from the following Hebrew description of calculating the correct date:

“’ And you shall count for yourselves from the day AFTER the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16) Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; …’” – Leviticus 23:15-16.

The Day of Pentecost in Scripture goes by different names, and because of that, many have been confused about it. Its other biblical names include the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Weeks, and the day of firstfruits.

We in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ observe the biblical method.

Christians should remember that our LORD God, Jesus Christ, condemned the Pharisees for relying way too much on their oral law over God’s written Law (Mark 7:5-13). Jesus told them they were ‘making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.’ – Mark 7:13.

Soundcloud

Be sure to visit us at https://soundcloud.com/leonard-johnson-199529372. 

World News Items

In Iran, despite continuing to have major issues with COVID-19, the terror state launched a missile with a satellite that initiated POTUS Donald Trump warning Iran when he gave permission to the US Navy to destroy any Iranian gunboats that might harass them (see ‘Iran's Guard says it launched satellite amid heightened tensions with the U.S.’ and ‘Why Iran is still attacking American troops during the pandemic’ along with ‘Nearly a dozen Iranian vessels come dangerously close to US military ships in the Gulf, Pentagon says’). President Trump tweeted:

I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2020

Now, it should be noted that God’s living Word – the Holy Bible – shows us that Iran will not end up faring too well. Notice the following in this dual prophecy which does indicate at least a partial destruction before the ‘latter days’:

“The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam [ancient Persia/Iran], in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, 35) ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:

‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam. The foremost of their might. 36) Against Elam I will bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And scatter them toward all these winds; There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go. 37) For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies And before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, My fierce anger,’ says the LORD; ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them. 38) I will set My throne in Elam, And will destroy from there the king and the princes,’ says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 49:34-38.

Indeed, the situation with Iran is a cause to ‘watch’ – cf. Mark 13:37.

This pandemic of COVID-19 is helping pave the way to a cashless society (see ‘China Rolls Out Pilot Test of Digital Currency’ also ‘Supporters Of Digital Currency Say Pandemic Bolsters Case For A New Approach’). Yet, be not deceived, friends. People of the Far Right Wing and in the evangelical Christian community put great stock in a series of books that were written about a couple of decades ago called the “Left Behind” series which speaks of an end-time “One World Order.” The Bible actually mentions none of that! Be sure to read our free no-obligation online booklet “The MARK of the BEAST” describing - from the Word of God - what the ‘mark of the beast’ is.

Still, months later, the news is dominated by matters associated with COVID-19 (see ‘European leaders warn coronavirus could lead to the breakup of their union’ and ‘Cardinal fears coronavirus could be end of European Union’). The Americans and Germans want China to pay for the COVID-19 damages (see ‘Covid 19 coronavirus: Grieving US family joins class action to sue China for six trillion dollars’ and ‘China faces trillion-dollar lawsuits over its handling of coronavirus crisis’).

A new translation of the New Testament – “Bible 2020” – published by Lutherans, omits the place and the people Israel (see ‘Lutherans Publish New Version of Bible Without the Word ‘Israel’ in It’ also ‘New Danish Bible Translation Omits Dozens of References to Israel’). Our Lord Jesus Christ – through the apostle John - emphatically WARNED:

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this Book: If ANYONE adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this Book; 19) and if ANYONE takes away from the words of the Book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Book.” – Revelation 22:18-19.

How they get any sleep at night is beyond me!?

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week.

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is “Abraham Believed God!” by Michael C. Garrett.
● Announcements (if any – it could be this letter) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is “Part-10 Pentecost 2014” by Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/).
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, friends, be to SUBSCRIBE to our BitChute channel.

Concluding Comments

Authored by King Solomon in the year of his reign 900 BC, he wrote:

“Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7) Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,
8) Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9) How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10) A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep –
11) So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.” – Proverbs 6:6-11.

Friends, the above is admonishing us to be prepared physically, but we should also be prepared spiritually.

A famine of God’s Word is soon to come (cf. Amos 8:11-12), we should be prepared for that.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,