Scripture: Acts 2 v 1 - 4:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Pentecost is a Jewish feast day first celebrated 50 days after the first Passover, when the Jews left Egypt to go into the Promised Land. So we can expect God to fulfil the promise Jesus gave in Acts 1 v 4 to wait for the promise of the Father which is the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Everything that happened to the Jews physically in the deliverance from Egypt, is repeated spiritually for the followers of Jesus. Egypt is a type of the sinful world full of oppression, pain and captivity. So when we come out of the world we are translated into the kingdom of light, our promised land.
Jesus is our Passover Lamb, whose Blood caused sin and spiritual death to be removed from us. He goes before us to help us escape the troubles of the world and to make us examples for sinners to desire what we have. We are born again into true freedom even in hard times, or places. Leaving Earth for Heaven is not a tragedy.
Pentecost is a time of rejoicing because ten days after the Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came down to fill the disciples with power the same as Jesus had when He was on Earth. The same day a revived Peter, preached to the crowds who had gathered around them and 3000 repented and were saved.
They were also filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter wrote in Acts 2 v 38 - 39 that if they repented and were baptized they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, 'the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.'
The promise is to all of us afar off people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, and have the other gifts flowing in our lives and ministries. We need to be in one Spirit to have unity in the Body. What of those in churches where none of the above is mentioned or practised? I was one of them who was a lifelong regular churchgoer but I only met Jesus and was born again at age 25.
How my life changed! It took another five years to discover I needed to be baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit but through sheer persistence Jesus got me there. What a blessed journey it has been since then. Never a dull moment! Very powerful things happen when you walk with God in the Spirit.
This is my 501st Bible Study on this blog and each one is initiated and inspired by the Lord. He initiates everything I do, write or experience. He even laid the whole idea for writing a blog on someone else's agenda and the website was sent to me with instructions to publish all He has taught me. So He gets all the glory for everything.
The Holy Spirit is known as Teacher, Friend, Helper, Comforter, Paraclete - One who comes alongside to assist. He has been on Earth for 2000 years building a church not made with hands. The church is made up of people who follow the Lamb without compromise. They are forgiven of sin, baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit and their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
He enhances your life immeasurably and always exalts Jesus. The nine gifts He brings have depths and layers that He adds to those who use His gifts with wisdom and integrity. So seek Him with all your heart and He will never disappoint you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to us that the Holy Spirit should come to followers of Jesus in all generations. Please open the hearts of those who don't know Him to receive this wonderful experience and blessing. In Jesus' name. Amen.
