Pentecost 2020: A Significant Demarcation Point for the Church

by Nathan Shaw

2020 is a year of major transition. During Easter 2020 the world was largely shut down due to fear. During the first Easter the disciples lived in great fear—they fled when the authorities arrested Jesus and remained hidden after Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 14:50, John 20:19, 26). 50 days after Easter was the feast of Pentecost. Holy Spirit invaded 120 praying believers in an upper room. The fledgling church was empowered with great boldness despite strong opposition. Likewise, in 2020, we are moving from the fear and uncertainty of Easter, to the faith and certainty of Pentecost. Pentecost 2020 is a significant demarcation point for the church.

The Connection with Anointed Prophets

One of the main manifestations of the Pentecost outpouring was prophecy, visions and dreams (Acts 2:17-18). It’s important to understand the Jewish mindset. Prophecy, visions and dreams were the domain of prophets. Through their decrees prophets released words that shaped cities and nations. Now, instead of this anointing being poured out on a select few, it would be poured out on all who would receive it. Even menservants and maidservants would be entrusted with this unique authority. The church was empowered with:

• Authority to decree God’s purposes.
• Authority to live the dreams and visions they received.
• Authority to shape cities and nations.
• Authority to shake the heavens and the earth (Acts 2:19-20).
• Authority to reap the “harvest fields” of the nations for Jesus (Acts 2:21).

The impact was immediate. Jerusalem was filled with their teaching, disciples were multiplied greatly, many priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 5:28, 6:7).

The Connection with the Ministry of Jesus

The gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were both written by Luke. A deliberate connection is made between Jesus’ empowerment for supernatural ministry and believers empowerment to do the same. Luke records Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist: “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:22). Note particularly the involvement of the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in this scene.

Speaking about the outpouring on the day of Pentecost Peter declared: “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-33). The mention of the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit makes a deliberate connection back to Jesus’ baptism and empowerment for earthly ministry. At Pentecost believers were anointed to continue the supernatural ministry of Jesus. As one commentator says, “He who had earlier received the Spirit for the public discharge of His own earthly ministry had now received that same Spirit to impart to His representatives, in order that they might continue, and indeed share in, the ministry which He had begun” (F. F. Bruce, New International Commentary of the New Testament).

The Connection with God’s Throne

The Pentecost outpouring had a connection with anointed prophets and the anointed ministry of Jesus, but it gets even better. Acts 2:33, quoted above, connects the outpouring of Pentecost with a threefold blessing:

1. The faithfulness and generosity of the Father.
   Jesus received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit for us.
2. The authority and generosity of Jesus.
   Jesus was exalted to the highest seat of authority next to the Father. From this position He poured out the Holy Spirit.
3. The extravagance and generosity of the Holy Spirit poured out in a tangible way.
   The outpouring was tangible—it could be seen and heard. The outpouring was extravagant—many mocked and said, “They are drunk with new wine!” (Acts 2:13).

This threefold blessing is our inheritance. It connects us with the highest level of authority and the highest level of generosity. This authority and generosity flows through all who receive the fullness of the Spirit. Unfortunately many have equated the Pentecost outpouring with an experience. It was much much more than just an experience. It was directly connected with a throne.

The Wonderful Works of God

Thousands were gathered at Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. They had come from all the surrounding nations. 120 praying believers received the outpouring and immediately began to declare the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11). Thousands were impacted with the same authority and the same generosity. They took it with them as they returned to their respective nations. The Church turned the tide in the nations.

A lot of negative news has been released over the last few months. Fear has gone out into the highways and byways. People live in fear of sickness, financial hardship and economic collapse. Pentecost 2020 marks a significant time of demarcation. Pentecost gave the early church a voice. The destiny of nations was forever changed. Fear was turned into faith. The lame walked (Acts 3:1-10). Shadows healed the sick (Acts 5:12-16). Financial miracles became common place (Acts 4:33-37). The authority of this outpouring isn’t just for our personal blessing—it will shape cities and nations. It’s time to declare the wonderful works of God.

© 2020 Nathan Shaw.

Related Articles:
It's Not the Time to be Limited – Nathan Shaw
2020: A Year of Seismis Shifts – Nathan Shaw
A New Pentecost and a New Reformation – Nathan Shaw

Back to Articles