The Day of Pentecost

For the non-Jews among us, Pentecost might best be compared to the American tradition of Thanksgiving. Observed seven weeks after the beginning of Passover, it is a culinary festival to celebrate the summer wheat harvest.

The coming of the Holy Spirit changed all that for the gentiles. On the Day of Pentecost, a mighty wind came from the heavens, and tongues of fire rested on the disciples. They began to speak in languages unknown to them, and 3000 converts were added to the kingdom of God.

What does Pentecost mean to us 2000 years later? God’s Word gives us clear reasons why the series of events leading up to the passage about Pentecost in Acts 2 is still important to the modern day Christian.

Reason #1:

We base our hope of salvation in him.

Mark 16:16 tells us that we must believe in Jesus’ message. The words are those of the Christ, and he speaks of the redemption he brought at the cross. Then he says we are to be baptized, and not just with water, but into him. Paul clarifies this in Romans 6:3-5, where he tells us that we must be buried with Christ unto death, but raised with him unto life.

Reason #2:

We must be expectant that he will carry us to greater glories.

Paul speaks to his young assistant Titus about finalizing his plans for setting up the churches in Crete. There was much yet to do, and Paul outlines the steps to establishing a successful ministry based on true salvation in Jesus Christ.

In Titus 2:13 Paul says we should continually look forward to the future blessings of the coming of Christ. His words tell us that we should never surrender our hope for a greater infilling of God’s redeeming Spirit.

Reason #3:

We must be responsive to his inner promptings when he showers us with his presence.

The disciples were in the upper room praying when God’s presence manifested itself in the wind and the fire. That was stunning enough, but the 120 in attendance didn’t let it stop there. When the Holy Spirit filled them with power, they began to speak with Tongues, giving evidence to those around them of the power of God.

If they had not responded to the Spirit’s inner prompting, would the church have added 3000 to its numbers that day? The Scriptures don’t say, but in Acts 2:6, it does say that men gathered to listen because of all they heard.

Reason #4:

We must make an outward declaration of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling as a testament of our changed life.

Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 3:21 that water baptism is not just for removing dirt from the body, but it is a sign of our confession and a pledge of our commitment to follow Christ.

Acts 4:31 tells us the power of God will shake us up, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us.

Mark 16:17 says it best: These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.

The power of Pentecost rocks our world, both figuratively and literally. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the world will see the signs of his indwelling and know the Lord leads us in everything we do.

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Excerpt of the Day

Comparing ourselves to God keeps us from veering far off course.

From Our Indulgent Notions,  Posted 14 June 2015