While reading and studying Scripture (the Bible) it is very important that we examine the context in which it is found. To whom was the author speaking? What covenant was in force at the time? Mosaic? New covenant? If it was in the Mosaic Covenant, has it been fulfilled or is it applicable in the New? All of these things are important in determining whether a passage of Scripture as given is in force today. Below I have given a few examples of this.
In Luke 24:49, right before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He told His disciples to “tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Most of us, when reading this passage, would know today we do not have to be in the city of Jerusalem to receive the promised Spirit of God. But often, some think they must tarry for a period of time begging God to send the promised Spirit to them personally. They are begging God to do what He has already done! The reason they had to tarry was because the Spirit had not yet been poured out, so that part of the promise is not applicable to us today as it was in the first century. Lots of times we hear people praying for God to pour out His Spirit as Joel prophesied and as it happened on the day of Pentecost. He, the Spirit of God, has already been given, all we need to do today is believe and receive.
Another example of the same thing is being born again. When a sinner recognizes that he needs a Savior, Jesus does not have to come and die on the Cross for him again. No, all the sinner needs to do is repent (turn) from his sin, believe the Gospel by faith and be saved (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) Jesus died once for all time, and has provided forgiveness of sin for all those who will believe. When we believe the promises of God, we can receive what they promised. We can be born again with all our sins forgiven, or we can have our personal pentecost and be filled with the Spirit’s power! The same principle applies to God’s promises found in the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament, was the promise fulfilled in what Jesus did in His first coming? (Matthew 5:17), will it be fulfilled in His Second coming? In one way or another, Moses either in type or shadow was speaking about Jesus! (John 5:39, 46, Luke 24:44).
We have been given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet.1:3-4). We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Let us appropriate these and similar promises now in this life so that we may live victoriously! Let’s stop begging God to do what He has already done!