Today, we celebrate Pentecost. Strangely, many churches don’t do anything special to commemorate this amazing day, and many Believers are unaware of its significance.
However, I believe it’s certainly a day – and an event – worth remembering and here’s why …
In many evangelical churches, sadly, there’s a lack of teaching on the Old Testament's relevance to the New. And so, many Believers are unaware that there’s a direct correspondence in time periods between the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt and the experience of the early Christians (and thus for us today).
• The Passover lamb’s execution corresponds to the day on which Jesus died.
• The crossing of the Red Sea corresponds to Jesus’ resurrection from the grave.
• The receiving of the Law at Mount Sinai, fifty days after the Passover, corresponds to the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.
Let’s take a look at what Scripture tells us about this momentous event:
Acts 2: 1 - 21
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.
5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re full of new wine!”
14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 “And it will be in the last days, says God, That I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;
Then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your young men will see visions, And your old men will dream dreams.
18 I will even pour out My Spirit
On My male and female slaves in those days, And they will prophesy.
19 I will display wonders in the heaven above And signs on the earth below:
Blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness And the moon to blood
Before the great and remarkable Day of the Lord comes.
21 Then everyone who calls On the name of the Lord will be saved.”
For centuries, since the time of the Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people had celebrated Pentecost each year. However, as we see in Acts 2 shows us, this Pentecost changed everything!
The Holy Spirit inspired and empowered the apostles to preach the Good News about Jesus. Everyone who responded to the message was baptised, forgiven, and filled with the Spirit. People who were in Jerusalem from all over that part of the world on that day became part of Jesus’ family. In that moment, the Holy Spirit launched a new movement that would change the world and all of history!
We shouldn’t underestimate or fail to recognise the significance of this Pentecost and the power of the Holy Spirit, who made it special!
Because of this moment in history, all who are saved by the blood of Jesus are filled with all of the power of the Spirit of God – and we are poor Believers if we fail to allow His power to work in and through our lives.
I’d like to share a prayer for us today:
Almighty God, I recognize that You have worked throughout human history. I see Your power at work as Jesus poured out the Spirit on that unique Pentecost. I also believe that Jesus poured out the Spirit on me when I confessed Jesus and put Him on as my Lord in baptism. Please open my eyes to see the significance Pentecost, and my relationship with Your Spirit. Thank You for the gift of Your presence in me through the Holy Spirit. I offer my life to be used and infused by the Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I dedicate myself to serve the cause of Christ, and in His name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings:
Acts 2: 44, 47
1 Corinthians 12: 12-13