The Gospel in The Old Testament
Author: Frank Tunstall
No New Testament books had been written when Peter preached his sermon on the first Pentecost morning.
Peter went straight to the Old Testament: “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” It is a classic example of Jesus “opening the apostles’ minds, so they could “understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).
For three additional examples of proclaiming the Gospel out of the Old Testament please consider that John the Baptist preached the Gospel before Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:1-20). Barnabas and Paul some 15 years after Pentecost began to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to large crowds in Antioch, doing it out of the Old Testament (Acts 11:25-26). Paul’s first recorded sermon was on his first missionary journey at Pisidian Antioch (Acts13:16-41]. The sermon was a powerful Holy Spirit anointed history lesson that pointed directly to Jesus Christ.
We are not told if Peter had already learned Joel’s prophecy from Jesus, or whether the Holy Spirit gave it to him in the moment. For sure, no record exists of a Hebrew doctor of the Law who had predicted Joel’s prophecy meant Messiah would give the Holy Spirit and launch the church. And certainly not even the most learned Jewish scholars connected the dots and recognized the prophecies that predicted the Most Holy Place of the new temple would be the hearts of Messiah’s followers (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26; Hebrews 8:10).
If a Jewish spiritual leader had taught a new temple and a new Most Holy Place was at hand, and had been serious in advocating them, he probably would have been excommunicated, or even stoned.
Joel’s prophecy had about an 800-year timeline as it sat on the prophetic shelf of history awaiting this specific first century Day of Pentecost. Joel could not have comprehended how or when his prophecy would happen; no prophet can look 800 years into the future in his own intellect. What he could know was what the Holy Spirit gave him, and that was enough to assure Joel God was up to something big. Jesus said to His disciples, “Many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it” (Luke 10:24). Peter wrote in his first epistle that “the prophets searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11).
What the Messianic prophets longed to see Peter experienced on the Day of Pentecost. He bravely became the Holy Spirit’s mouthpiece to a largely Jewish crowd that exceeded 3,000 people. Yes, Peter linked the advent of the Holy Spirit which had just happened in Jerusalem to the prophecy of Joel.
Looking back, we can say, how appropriate. But over those long eight centuries, the New Testament had been embedded in the Old Testament and was waiting for Messiah to come and open its treasures. No one comprehended Joel’s meaning; it took the cross of Jesus to unveil it.
Most of the crowd Pentecost morning consisted of devout Jews. We are left to wonder why no one picked up a rock to hurl at Peter for saying the gift of the Holy Spirit is meant for all people, worldwide, and no one is ignored: sons, daughters, young men, old men, servants, or handmaidens.
Joel concluded his prophecy by offering this great assurance with a heartwarming promise. Anyone, anywhere, worldwide, who “calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32, KJV).
It quickly became evident that historic morning, the mission of the Holy Spirit was not to advance Himself, but to exalt Jesus. Peter clearly showed just that – he quickly moved in his sermon from Joel to Jesus and did it with great boldness. Peter declared the miracles of Jesus were God-revealing and should have affirmed God was working among His people. But instead of accepting Him, the Jews turned Jesus over to the authorities for crucifixion.
That brutal choice made it possible – blessed truth this - for Jesus’ crucifixion to complete the atonement. Jesus is the master at turning evil into good (Genesis 50:19-20).
Then Peter announced his accusation: “and you, with the help of wicked men put [Jesus] to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:32). It was an indictment of murder made against the highest leaders in the land, but, again, no one picked up a stone to throw at Peter for saying it. AH! The power of the Holy Spirit to protect the apostles as they proclaimed the Gospel.
Yes, the first twenty years after Pentecost the Scriptures were the Old Testament, and it was enough to launch the church in the New Covenant.
Come, Holy Spirit, heav’nly dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Come, shed abroad a Savior’s love,
And that shall kindle ours.
Author unknown to me.
[Editor's comment: I hope you are aware of the fact that God has given to the Pentecostal Holiness Church as well as the body of Christ a man named Frank Tunstall. He is a brilliant student and scholar of the Bible and Biblical theology. Most of all, he is a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather.
God has given to us four Bible scholars: Dr. Paul F. Beacham, Dr. R. O. Corvin, John W. Swails, and Dr. Frank Tunstall. I have been blessed to know all of them. Three of the four are now in heaven.
Dr. Frank Tunstall is a resident Scholar and a Contributor for Hugh's News. Unfortunately on a few have commented on what he has written, and only a handful of people have written him. It maybe because you didn't think you comments were important or necessary to put into words. Let me tell you your comments are valuable, wanted, and deeply appreciated.
Saying "Thank You" are the two most important words in the English language.
Why not consider sending a comment out of you heart to let Frank know of your appreciation?
Frank's email address is: franktunstall3992@outlook.com
Frank Tunstall's mailing address is:
Dr. Frank Tunstall
10840 NW 32nd Terrace
Yukon, OK 73099
You will be glad you wrote him. What's more, you will be a blessing to Frank.]
Author: Frank Tunstall
No New Testament books had been written when Peter preached his sermon on the first Pentecost morning.
Peter went straight to the Old Testament: “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” It is a classic example of Jesus “opening the apostles’ minds, so they could “understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).
For three additional examples of proclaiming the Gospel out of the Old Testament please consider that John the Baptist preached the Gospel before Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:1-20). Barnabas and Paul some 15 years after Pentecost began to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to large crowds in Antioch, doing it out of the Old Testament (Acts 11:25-26). Paul’s first recorded sermon was on his first missionary journey at Pisidian Antioch (Acts13:16-41]. The sermon was a powerful Holy Spirit anointed history lesson that pointed directly to Jesus Christ.
We are not told if Peter had already learned Joel’s prophecy from Jesus, or whether the Holy Spirit gave it to him in the moment. For sure, no record exists of a Hebrew doctor of the Law who had predicted Joel’s prophecy meant Messiah would give the Holy Spirit and launch the church. And certainly not even the most learned Jewish scholars connected the dots and recognized the prophecies that predicted the Most Holy Place of the new temple would be the hearts of Messiah’s followers (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26; Hebrews 8:10).
If a Jewish spiritual leader had taught a new temple and a new Most Holy Place was at hand, and had been serious in advocating them, he probably would have been excommunicated, or even stoned.
Joel’s prophecy had about an 800-year timeline as it sat on the prophetic shelf of history awaiting this specific first century Day of Pentecost. Joel could not have comprehended how or when his prophecy would happen; no prophet can look 800 years into the future in his own intellect. What he could know was what the Holy Spirit gave him, and that was enough to assure Joel God was up to something big. Jesus said to His disciples, “Many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it” (Luke 10:24). Peter wrote in his first epistle that “the prophets searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11).
What the Messianic prophets longed to see Peter experienced on the Day of Pentecost. He bravely became the Holy Spirit’s mouthpiece to a largely Jewish crowd that exceeded 3,000 people. Yes, Peter linked the advent of the Holy Spirit which had just happened in Jerusalem to the prophecy of Joel.
Looking back, we can say, how appropriate. But over those long eight centuries, the New Testament had been embedded in the Old Testament and was waiting for Messiah to come and open its treasures. No one comprehended Joel’s meaning; it took the cross of Jesus to unveil it.
Most of the crowd Pentecost morning consisted of devout Jews. We are left to wonder why no one picked up a rock to hurl at Peter for saying the gift of the Holy Spirit is meant for all people, worldwide, and no one is ignored: sons, daughters, young men, old men, servants, or handmaidens.
Joel concluded his prophecy by offering this great assurance with a heartwarming promise. Anyone, anywhere, worldwide, who “calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32, KJV).
It quickly became evident that historic morning, the mission of the Holy Spirit was not to advance Himself, but to exalt Jesus. Peter clearly showed just that – he quickly moved in his sermon from Joel to Jesus and did it with great boldness. Peter declared the miracles of Jesus were God-revealing and should have affirmed God was working among His people. But instead of accepting Him, the Jews turned Jesus over to the authorities for crucifixion.
That brutal choice made it possible – blessed truth this - for Jesus’ crucifixion to complete the atonement. Jesus is the master at turning evil into good (Genesis 50:19-20).
Then Peter announced his accusation: “and you, with the help of wicked men put [Jesus] to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:32). It was an indictment of murder made against the highest leaders in the land, but, again, no one picked up a stone to throw at Peter for saying it. AH! The power of the Holy Spirit to protect the apostles as they proclaimed the Gospel.
Yes, the first twenty years after Pentecost the Scriptures were the Old Testament, and it was enough to launch the church in the New Covenant.
Come, Holy Spirit, heav’nly dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Come, shed abroad a Savior’s love,
And that shall kindle ours.
Author unknown to me.
[Editor's comment: I hope you are aware of the fact that God has given to the Pentecostal Holiness Church as well as the body of Christ a man named Frank Tunstall. He is a brilliant student and scholar of the Bible and Biblical theology. Most of all, he is a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather.
God has given to us four Bible scholars: Dr. Paul F. Beacham, Dr. R. O. Corvin, John W. Swails, and Dr. Frank Tunstall. I have been blessed to know all of them. Three of the four are now in heaven.
Dr. Frank Tunstall is a resident Scholar and a Contributor for Hugh's News. Unfortunately on a few have commented on what he has written, and only a handful of people have written him. It maybe because you didn't think you comments were important or necessary to put into words. Let me tell you your comments are valuable, wanted, and deeply appreciated.
Saying "Thank You" are the two most important words in the English language.
Why not consider sending a comment out of you heart to let Frank know of your appreciation?
Frank's email address is: franktunstall3992@outlook.com
Frank Tunstall's mailing address is:
Dr. Frank Tunstall
10840 NW 32nd Terrace
Yukon, OK 73099
You will be glad you wrote him. What's more, you will be a blessing to Frank.]