In this lesson, we examine Peter’s message at Pentecost, which shows that the events of Acts 2 marked the beginning of Israel’s prophetic last days. Joel’s prophecy about signs, wonders, and the Spirit being poured out had begun, but Israel’s continued unbelief—culminating in Stephen’s stoning—interrupted the prophetic timeline. Scripture therefore teaches two sets of last days: Israel’s prophesied last days tied to the Tribulation and Kingdom, and the Body of Christ’s last days marked by the moral decline described in 2 Timothy 3. As these trends intensify, believers are reminded of the Rapture’s imminence and the urgency of sharing the gospel before judgment resumes for Israel.

We see in this message how in Acts 1 the risen Christ gave His apostles many infallible proofs of His resurrection while teaching them things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem to receive the promised baptism with the Holy Spirit—a prophetic empowerment for Israel marked by miracles, not the Spirit baptism that forms the Body of Christ today. The apostles expected this to signal the nearness of Israel’s kingdom, but Jesus told them the timing belonged to the Father, while commissioning them to witness in the Spirit’s power. His ascension set the stage for Pentecost as the next step in Israel’s prophetic program rather than the beginning of the Church, the Body of Christ.

Tradition can be a good thing. Every family has family traditions that become important and special. But when it comes to the interpretation of Scripture, tradition and traditional teachings can be a problem and rob us of the truth. This episode shows clearly that the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 is the fulfillment of Israel’s Feast of Weeks, NOT the beginning of the Body of Christ, as has traditionally been passed down. Everything in Acts 2—tongues, the Spirit’s outpouring, and Peter’s message—fulfills prophecy and Israel’s new covenant, marking a continuation of God’s kingdom program with Israel rather than the start of the Church.

In this lesson, we see that on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on 120 Jewish believers, enabling them to speak in known foreign languages so that devout Jews from many nations heard the wonderful works of God in their own tongues. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed the men of Israel, explained that this was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, and boldly proclaimed that the Jesus whom they had crucified was both Lord and Christ. About 3,000 Jews were added to the existing kingdom church, marking a significant expansion of Israel’s believing remnant, NOT the beginning of the Church, the Body of Christ.