Who Are God's "Firstfruits"?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

Who Are God's "Firstfruits"?

article by Good News Editor





The firstfruits of God's plan are those who are called now, in this age, and are having their minds and attitudes changed to become like Jesus Christ through God's Spirit working within them.







Source: Photos.comThe apostle James noted that God has "brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [i.e., of those He's created]" (James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.



See All...).



Paul well understood that those called and converted in this age between man's creation and Christ's second coming are the firstfruits of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. He referred to several first-century Christians as the firstfruits of God's calling in specific locations (Romans 16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.



See All...; 1 Corinthians 16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)



See All...). Looking ahead to the resurrection of those who remain faithful to their calling, he said, "We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption [that is, full rights of sonship], the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.



See All...).



However, the firstfruits of God's plan, those who are called now, find themselves in a vastly different situation from that of those who will follow in the later spiritual harvest period.



Jesus said that those who are His followers in this age are not to be "of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.



See All...). They are called out of the world and are expected to develop the character of Christ, while the rest of mankind is deceived (Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.



See All...) and following values abhorrent to Christ (1 John 2:15-17 [15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.





See All...).



The present evil age

The firstfruits—God's people—are called and strive to obey God while living in "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:



See All...), of which Satan is the actual ruler (2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.



See All...). The harvest of firstfruits is small, for at this time relatively few will accept God's calling, repent, be converted and remain faithful to His way of life. That is why Jesus said, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.



See All...).



After Christ's return, which will usher in a new age, the world—society as a whole—will learn to live by the laws and values of God. In that age, God will bind Satan and no longer allow him to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:2-3 [2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.





See All...). Without Satan's influence, the world will at last come to know peace. Everyone will know the Lord (Hebrews 8:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.



See All...).



Those who have not conformed to the world (Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.



See All...) will be those who assist Christ in bringing all nations to His truth (Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.



See All...). They will have overcome the world just as Jesus overcame the world, and Christ will use them in bringing all other people to serve Him (Revelation 2:26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:



See All...; Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.



See All...).



Gift of the Holy Spirit

God enables His people to fulfill His purpose for them. But how?



Significantly, God chose the Day of Pentecost to begin His Church in an important sense by sending the Holy Spirit to His few faithful disciples (Acts 1:15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)



See All...; Acts 2:1-4 [1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.





See All...). Many think of a church as a building. But the word translated "church" in the New Testament is ekklesia, meaning "called out (ones)." This Greek word was typically used to denote an assembly of people—those called out to meet together. The Church is the collective body of people who are called out of the world to serve God.



Through the Holy Spirit, which God gives to those who are part of His Church, members are empowered to overcome the world. It is through God's Holy Spirit that the Church can preach the gospel to the world and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.



See All...; Matthew 28:19-20 [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.





See All...). It is this Spirit that enables a person to belong to Jesus Christ and be a part of the Church (Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.



See All...). For the New Testament Church to exist, it was necessary for God to send His Holy Spirit.



The firstfruits of God's plan for salvation are those called to be in God's Church in this age. The Church, also spoken of as "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.



See All...), is made up of individuals in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. They have repented of their sins and turned to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They have committed themselves to obedience to His holy and righteous laws. They are willing to give up everything to remain faithful to Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.



See All...).



Firstfruits follow Jesus Christ

Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All... speaks of God's people who are "firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." The preceding and succeeding verses provide insight into the character of those who are the firstfruits and why they accompany Jesus Christ.



Why are they so valued by God? They are described as having the Father's name written in their foreheads (verse 1); God is foremost in their mind and thoughts. These have not been seduced by a false religious system (Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All...), which is depicted as an immoral woman seducing humanity (Revelation 2:20-22 [20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.





See All...; Revelation 17:1-6 [1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.





See All...).



The firstfruits have come out of and avoided the political and religious system that has dominated the world (see Revelation 17:1-6 [1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.





See All...). When they were called by Jesus Christ, they understood that they were to come out of this system (see Revelation 18:3-4 [3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.





See All...).



In addition, the firstfruits "follow the Lamb wherever he goes" (Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All...). They are faithfully devoted to Jesus Christ. They will allow nothing to entice them from their personal loyalty to Him. Since Jesus will use them to assist Him in teaching His ways to the world, it is vital that His firstfruits will forever be true to Him.



They "have been redeemed from among men" (same verse). They have been purchased by God with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19 [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:





See All...). Having been bought by God, they know that their lives no longer belong to them, but rather to Jesus Christ, whom they are to turn their lives over to completely, body and spirit (see Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.



See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.



See All...).



Also, "in their mouth was found no deceit" (Revelation 14:5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.



See All...). They have learned to deal with the malice commonly found in the hearts of men. There is no deception, plotting or feigning in their actions or words. They have learned about the genuineness, sincerity and simplicity of Christ. They have, in short, come to grips with the deceit of their own hearts and have fully submitted to the pure and undefiled life of Christ dwelling in them. Forgiven of sins and having grown in godly character, "they are without fault before the throne of God" (verse 5).



Picturing the plan of God

This most important step in God's plan for the salvation of mankind is revealed in the observing of His Holy Days. Naturally, those who are of the firstfruits will be observing the very day that pictures the calling and harvest of the firstfruits of God's plan, the Day of Pentecost.



They will gratefully observe the very day that celebrates another milestone in God's great plan, the founding of the Church through the granting of God's Holy Spirit.



We now live in the age of the firstfruits, the time during which God is preparing a special, chosen people to reign with Christ in His Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:



See All...). Are you part of that group? You will be if you heed the counsel of the apostle Peter when he admonished us in 2 Peter 1:10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:



See All... to "be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure"!







[ Read the article: The Remarkable Lesson of God's Feast of Firstfruits ]

.

Counting Pentecost

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/ or call 1-888-886-8632.

Counting Pentecost

by Dan Dowd




Source: Photos.comPassover and the Days of Unleavened Bread are seven weeks past and we are almost finished in the counting toward Pentecost. God’s Holy Days are rich in meaning and anticipation as we rehearse them once again – each of them unique in what they picture and adding to what has gone before. The upcoming Feast of Pentecost is no different in these regards.



One unique aspect of Pentecost is that it is not a fixed date on the Calendar unlike the other Holy Days – so while it is always on the same day of the week, it can “move” in terms of which week in May or June it ends up being on.



God charged the Jews with preserving the Old Testament, but the interpretation has not always been handed down accurately. During the first century A.D., the Pharisees gained complete control of the Jewish religious observances. They figured Pentecost beginning with the day after the first annual Sabbath - the first Day of Unleavened Bread. Is this what God instructed? Preserved in a book called the Mishna is recorded how Pentecost had been counted from generation to generation before the Pharisees took control. How the Jews count Pentecost now is not always how it had been done, or should be done. The Jews count from the first High Sabbath of the Days of Unleavened Bread - rather than from the Sabbath in the Days of Unleavened Bread. If Pentecost was to be counted from the High Sabbath of the Days of Unleavened Bread, what would be the point in saying to count the days? Why not simply say keep Pentecost on Sivan 6? Instead, the weekly Sabbath can fall on 7 different days within the Days of Unleavened Bread - hence the need to count to know when to keep Pentecost. We must pay attention to know the right time, or day, to keep.



God instructed Israel to count 50 days from the Days of Unleavened Bread to determine when to keep Pentecost. We are to count “ from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the…wave offering ” (Leviticus 23:15And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:



See All..., NKJV). The Hebrew word there for Sabbath is the word used for the weekly Sabbath - the same word used in verse 3 when God reminds Israel to keep the weekly Sabbath. God instructs us to count 50 days from the weekly Sabbath which also means that Pentecost will always fall on a Sunday (first day of the week). Pentecost this year is on May 27th. Have you ever thought why God did that with this Holy Day? Every other Holy Day is set on a given day in a given month in His calendar – but not Pentecost.



Part of the reason for counting is to be reminded of the distance that we should be gaining in coming out of sin during the Days of Unleavened Bread, and part of the reason is to count with anticipation of the giving of God’s Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.



See All... Christ told those assembled in Jerusalem not to leave that city (before the Day of Pentecost), but “…to wait for the Promise of the Father…” that is, the giving of the Holy Spirit. Although we have been called and given access to God through His Holy Spirit, do we also count toward the day when all of mankind (1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



See All...) will have access to the knowledge of the truth?



As we finish the count toward Pentecost, let’s remember why we count Pentecost and what God wants to us to see and anticipate in that counting. It indeed will be a wonderful time when “… the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Eternal as the waters cover the sea ” (Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.



See All...).







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Feast of Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God's Harvest

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Feast of Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God's Harvest

Pentecost serves as a reminder that God that grants His Holy Spirit to the firstfruits of His spiritual harvest.

In the process of revealing His plan of salvation for mankind, God established His annual Holy Days around the harvest seasons in the Middle East (Leviticus:23:9-16[9]And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,[10]Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:[11]And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.[12]And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.[13]And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.[14]And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.[15]And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:[16]Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.; Exodus:23:14-16[14]Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.[15]Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)[16]And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.). Just as His people harvested their crops around these three festival seasons, God's Holy Days show us how He is harvesting people for eternal life in His Kingdom.



The Holy Days have meanings that build upon each other. Together they progressively reveal how God works with humanity.



Earlier we saw Passover symbolizing Christ's giving of Himself for us so our sins could be forgiven. We also learned how the Days of Unleavened Bread teach us that we must remove and avoid sin, whether in actions or attitudes. The next festival and Holy Day, Pentecost, builds on this important foundation.



This festival is known by several names that derive from its meaning and timing. Also known as the Feast of Harvest (Exodus:23:16And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.), it represents the firstfruits (Numbers:28:26Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:) gathered as the result of the labor of those who completed the spring grain harvests in ancient Israel (Exodus:23:16And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.).



It is also called the Feast of Weeks (Exodus:34:22And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.), with this name coming from the seven weeks plus one day (50 days in all) that are counted to determine when to celebrate this festival (Leviticus:23:16Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.). Similarly, in the New Testament, which was written in Greek, this festival is known as Pentecost (Pentekostos in the original), which means "fiftieth" (W.E. Vine, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 1985, "Pentecost").



Among Jews the most popular name for this festival is the Feast of Weeks, or shavuot, in Hebrew. When celebrating this festival, many Jewish people recall one of the greatest events in history, God's revealing of the law at Mount Sinai.



But Pentecost doesn't just picture the giving of the law; it also shows—through a great miracle that occurred on the first Pentecost in the early Church—how to keep the spiritual intent of God's laws.



The gift of Pentecost: the Holy Spirit



God chose the first Pentecost after Jesus Christ's resurrection to pour out His Holy Spirit on 120 believers (Acts:1:15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)). "Now 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 [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts:2:1-4[1]And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.[2]And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.[3]And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.[4]And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.).



The speaking in various languages occurred as a crowd of people gathered in Jerusalem, with each visitor hearing the speech of the disciples in his own native tongue (verses 6-11). These astounding events demonstrated the presence of the Holy Spirit.



At first the people of Jerusalem who witnessed this miraculous phenomenon were astonished, with some attributing the actions of the Christians to drunkenness (Acts:2:12-13[12]And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?[13]Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.). The apostle Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly explained the event to the crowd as a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh" (Acts:2:17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:; Joel:2:28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:).



Peter explained how his listeners could also receive this Spirit: "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. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts:2:38-39[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.[39]For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.).



God used these miracles and Peter's preaching to add 3,000 people to His Church in one day. These converts were all baptized and received the Holy Spirit (verses 40-41). From this pivotal point, God's Spirit has been available to all who truly repent and are properly baptized. The Day or Feast of Pentecost is an annual reminder that God poured out His Spirit to establish His Church, the group of believers who are led by His Spirit.



Why we need God's Spirit



Humanly speaking, no matter how hard we try not to, we still sin (1 Kings:8:46If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;; Romans:3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;). Acknowledging this inherent weakness of humanity, God lamented in Deuteronomy:5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"



Here God explains that humankind has a heart problem. Academic knowledge of the law does not enable us to think like God. Becoming godly in our thoughts, attitudes and actions is beyond the comprehension and ability of men and women without an additional ingredient—God's Spirit.



God's way of thinking produces peace, happiness and concern for others. Jesus complimented a lawyer who correctly quoted the essence of God's law: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" and "[love] your neighbor as yourself" (Luke:10:27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.). This man quoted Deuteronomy:6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. and Leviticus:19:18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD., from two books of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). Jesus here confirmed that the Old Testament Scriptures are based on these two great principles of love (Matthew:22:40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.).



The essence of God's law is love (Romans:13:8-10[8]Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.[9]For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.[10]Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.; 1 Thessalonians:4:9But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.). God gave His commandments because He loves us. Writing to brethren who had God's Spirit, John said, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John:5:2-3[2]By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.[3]For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.).



Because God's Spirit was now residing in the Church, its members could express genuine love. "A new commandment I give to you," Jesus had said, "that you love one another; as I have loved you . . . By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John:13:34-35[34]A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.[35]By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.). God's gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost made it possible for the Church to fully express God's commandments of love.



Jesus Christ: the firstfruits of eternal life



Firstfruits are the first agricultural products to mature and ripen. Throughout the Bible, God uses the analogy of the harvest—and, particularly on Pentecost, firstfruits—to illustrate aspects of His plan of salvation. Israel observed this day in the late spring after the barley and wheat harvests. A special offering of the first ripe grain during the Days of Unleavened Bread, called the wave-sheaf offering, marked the beginning of these harvests, which continued during the next 50 days and led up to Pentecost (Leviticus:23:11And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.). This spring harvest was the firstfruits of the yearly agricultural cycle.



One of the first harvest lessons of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ "is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians:15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.). The wave-sheaf offering represented Jesus Christ, who was the "firstborn over all creation" and the "firstborn from the dead" (Colossians:1:15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:, 18). He presented Himself to God the Father on the Sunday after His resurrection, the same day during the Days of Unleavened Bread on which the first sheaf of grain of the spring harvest was to be waved before God.



Early on the first day of the week (Sunday morning), while it was still dark and after Jesus had already been resurrected (John:20:1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.), Mary Magdalene came to His tomb and discovered that the rock in front of it had already been rolled away. She ran to tell Peter and John that Jesus was no longer in His grave. The two men hurried to see this and verified that Jesus' body was gone (John:20:2-10[2]Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.[3]Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.[4]So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.[5]And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.[6]Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,[7]And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.[8]Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.[9]For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.[10]Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.). Mary also returned and, after Peter and John left, she stood outside the tomb (verse 11). As she wept, Jesus appeared to her but would not allow her to touch Him because He had "not yet ascended" to the Father (John:20:17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.).



Later that same day Jesus appeared again. This time He allowed certain women to touch Him (Matthew:28:9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.). His own words show that, between the time Mary Magdalene saw Him and the time He allowed the women to touch Him, Christ had ascended to, and had been accepted by, the Father.



The wave-sheaf ceremony God gave to ancient Israel thus represents Jesus Christ's acceptance by His Father as "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians:15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.).



The Church as firstfruits



Romans:8:29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. speaks of Jesus Christ as "the firstborn of many brethren." Yet the New Testament Church is also considered to be firstfruits. In speaking of the Father, James said, "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James:1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.).



God's Spirit within us identifies us and sanctifies us—sets us apart as Christians. "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ," wrote Paul, "he is not His," and "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans:8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his., 14).



Paul also referred to the members of the Church as those "who have the firstfruits of the Spirit" (verse 23). He alluded to several first-century Christians as the firstfruits of God's calling (Romans:16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.; 1 Corinthians:16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)).



The significance of the Bible writers calling these people of God firstfruits becomes evident when we consider John:14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.. Here Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."



How many, throughout the centuries, have really accepted and practiced the way of life Jesus taught? Even today many people have simply never heard much, if anything, about Jesus Christ. How will God offer them salvation?



Few people understand that God follows a systematic plan, symbolized by His Holy Days, to save all of humanity by offering all people eternal life in His Kingdom. In this world we are simply at the beginning of the harvest for the Kingdom of God.



The apostle Paul understood this: "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep . . . For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Corinthians:15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept., 22-23). Anyone who is now called and chosen by God is included with Christ as God's firstfruits (James:1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.).



The Bible teaches us that God must call people (John:6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.; 6:63). Our Creator, therefore, controls the timing of His harvest. When God founded His Church by imparting His Spirit to believers on the Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31, He was expanding His spiritual harvest. It was the beginning of what Joel prophesied, that God will ultimately pour out His Spirit on "all flesh" (Joel:2:28-29[28]And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:[29]And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.; Acts:2:14-17[14]But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:[15]For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.[16]But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;[17]And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:).



The Holy Spirit at work



The coming of the Holy Spirit dramatically changed the lives of these early Christians. The book of Acts is filled with accounts of the early Church's remarkable spiritual impact on the surrounding society. A transformation was so evident that nonbelievers accused the Christians of "turning the world upside down" (Acts:17:6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;). Such was the dynamic, miraculous power of the Holy Spirit.



To fully grasp how God's Spirit can work with us, we must comprehend what the Holy Spirit is. It is not a person who, along with God the Father and Christ the Son, forms a "Holy Trinity." In Scripture the Holy Spirit is described as the power of God at work in our lives (Acts:1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.; Romans:15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost., 19), the same power that was at work in the ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke:4:14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.; Acts:10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.). (To learn more about what the Holy Spirit is, read our free booklets Who Is God? and Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion.)



This divine power allows us to be "led by the Spirit of God" (Romans:8:14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.). It was this same power that transformed the lives of the early Christians and is the power working in the Church today. Paul told Timothy that God's Spirit is a "spirit of . . . power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy:1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.).



Pentecost serves as an annual reminder that our Creator still works miracles, granting His Spirit to those called to be the firstfruits of His spiritual harvest, empowering them to carry out His work in this world.