Part 3 of 3

FROM PASSOVER TO PENTECOST: GOD’S ETERNAL REDEMPTION PLAN

From the Tomb to the Upper Room: Resurrection, Ascension & Pentecost

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
— Acts 1:8

Our Important Take Away: “The tomb was empty so the Upper Room could be full.”

1. FROM GRAVE TO GLORY: THE RESURRECTION

Three days after the crucifixion, the Lamb who was slain rose in power. Jesus’ resurrection is not a side note—it is the cornerstone of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:17 (KJV):
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”

The resurrection is God’s seal of approval that the sacrifice was accepted. Death, hell, and the grave were defeated.

HEBREW INSIGHT

Resurrection – תְּחִיָּה (Techiyyah)
Pronounced: teh-khee-YAH

Meaning “revival, rising from the dead”
Root: חיה (chayah) – “to live”

Jesus, Yeshua, didn’t just revive—He inaugurated eternal life for all who believe.

2. THE STONE ROLLED AWAY: VICTORY SECURED

The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out, but to let witnesses in.

Element	Symbolism
The sealed tomb	Human attempts to stop God’s plan
Roman guard	Political and religious resistance
Angel rolls stone	Heaven overrules earth’s authorit

3. THE UPPER ROOM: WAITING FOR POWER

Jesus appeared over 40 days to His disciples (Acts 1:3), then gave them a final instruction:

Luke 24:49 (KJV):
“Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

They obeyed and waited in the Upper Room, just as Israelites once waited for the Law on Mount Sinai. But now, God would send not law, but Spirit.

GREEK STUDY:

Pentecost – Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē)
Pronounced: pen-tay-kos-TAY

Meaning “fiftieth”
Occurs 50 days after Passover
Hebrew equivalent: Shavuot (שָׁבוּעוֹת) – Feast of Weeks

4. PENTECOST: THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

Acts 2:2–4 (KJV):
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven… and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…”

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11) now filled believers, empowering them to become His witnesses.

Old Covenant	New Covenant
Law written on stone (Ex. 20)	Law written on hearts (Jer. 31:33)
3,000 died at Sinai (Ex. 32:28)	3,000 saved at Pentecost (Acts 2:41)
Feast of harvest (Shavuot)	Beginning of the Gospel harvest

5. THE UNIVERSAL INVITATION

Pentecost wasn’t just power—it was multicultural, global outreach.

Acts 2:6: “Every man heard them speak in his own language.”

This moment reversed Babel’s curse (Genesis 11)—from confusion to unity. God was creating a new kind of people: not built on race, tribe, or tradition, but on faith in Christ.

MEDITATION VERSES

Romans 8:11: “The Spirit that raised Jesus… shall also quicken your mortal bodies.”
Acts 2:17: “In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.”
Ephesians 1:20–23: Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father.

LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS

Concept	Ministry Takeaway

Resurrection power is available

Don’t just preach it—lead from it

Pentecost was multicultural

Build churches that reflect heaven’s diversity

Waiting brings empowering

Teach patience, not performance

CALL TO REFLECTION

+ Are you leading with resurrection life or old systems?
+ Have you made space for the Upper Room experience, or just organized ministry?
+ Is your church built on Pentecost fire, or just performance and programming?