At Pentecost in Acts 2:16-21 the Apostle Peter explained the amazing marvel of the giving and manifestations of the Holy Spirit at the Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) saying, “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (in Joel 2:28-31): ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
The Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), (“Festival of the Weeks”), is the second of the three Pilgrim Festivals of the Jewish religious calendar. During rabbinic times the festival became associated with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, which is recounted in the Torah readings for the holiday.
Pastor Willie continued in our church’s sermon series through the Book of Acts explaining that Pentecost, (from Greek pentecostē, means “50th day”), is a major festival in the Christian church, celebrated on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, and it marks the beginning of the Christian church’s gospel salvation mission to the world.
In John 14:15-18, 26 Jesus declared, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit was given and present in all born-again Believers and it was the green light to “Go”, get involved in the Great Commission of Christ to make disciples of all nations, the reconciliation of lost souls, and don’t stop; open God’s Word, Praise His holy name and proclaim the Gospel. Each and all Christ follower is included in God’s plan to seek and save the lost. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Every person you meet is God’s concern. So, take the opportunities given to you to share the Gospel.
Romans 10:8-10 asks, “what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Don’t over complicate it; Just speak the truth in love. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverential fear.” Know the Gospel message, live out the Gospel, then get out and share the Gospel. It go time!
In Christ, Brian
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