Pentecost, Two Sticks and the Torah*
After His resurrection, Jesus was able to be with His disciples for forty days until His ascension into heaven: "And 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 (Jesus), ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:1-5). The receiving of the Holy Spirit was a promise of God the Father. The disciples then asked Jesus if He would restore the kingdom to Israel at this time. Jesus answered: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But 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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (v. 6-8). The Father's promise of the Holy Spirit ...