Reclaiming Pentecost: Fireplace, spirit, and the forgotten energy of God

[ad_1] <img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9ad514583a731d55ae263222305c5104" id="0cfbd" src="https://www.conservativereview.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWJsYXplLmNvbS9tZWRpYS1saWJyYXJ5L3JlY2xhaW1pbmctcGVudGVjb3N0LWZpcmUtc3Bpcml0LWFuZC10aGUtZm9yZ290dGVuLXBvd2VyLW9mLWdvZC5qcGc_aWQ9NjA1NDMzOTkmYW1wO3dpZHRoPTEyNDUmYW1wO2hlaWdodD03MDAmYW1wO2Nvb3JkaW5hdGVzPTAsMywwLDIwMCIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE4MDYxNTMyNzN9.LbR0hFu6DL-Lt-mwgb90Sl1kyEGBaAGohrETaGc9jLc/image.jpg" /> Pentecost — this can be a day that’s gotten some unhealthy press as a result of the folks related to the identify have some misguided concepts.

The Christian calendar outlines a sequence of annual occasions marking Jesus' time on earth. It begins with Introduction, which results in Christmas, adopted by Holy Week, which results in Easter, adopted by Ascension Day and, 10 days later, Pentecost, the day the Lord despatched the Holy Spirit, exactly as Jesus had promised (John 14:16-31 and John 16:5-15).

This unimaginable day is described in Acts 2, absolutely one of the crucial dramatic chapters of the Bible. Take a second and skim it proper now. Critically.

Why is it known as Pentecost? As a result of the Greek phrase pentekoste actually means "fiftieth," and the Holy Spirit got here 50 days after Christ's resurrection.

However do you know that Pentecost already existed as a Jewish vacation that was celebrated 50 days after Passover? Known as the Pageant of Weeks (or Shavuot in Hebrew), it commemorates God giving the Israelites His legislation at Mount Sinai, which Jewish custom says came about 50 days after the Passover, or the Israelite deliverance from Egypt.

A lot perception might be gained from evaluating these two "Pentecosts," so lets examine and distinction.

Exodus 'Pentecost' vs. Acts Pentecost Exodus: Happened 50 days after God’s folks have been delivered from slavery by the blood of a lamb painted on their vertical and horizontal doorposts (Passover)Acts: Happened 50 days after a far better deliverance from slavery to sin by the blood of the Lamb painted on the vertical and horizontal beams of the crossExodus: God descends in hearth on Mount Sinai — in impact warning folks to maintain their distance from His presenceActs: Tongues of fireside seem on all believers current as God’s presence attracts close to and fills themExodus: Loud thunder and sound of trumpetsActs: Mighty sound of dashing windExodus: God offers His legislation, resulting in consciousness of sin, condemnation, and deathActs: God pours out His Spirit, resulting in assurance of forgiveness and life, empowering folks to obey HimExodus: The folks insurgent and worship a golden calf, leading to 3,000 deathsActs: Peter boldly preaches the gospel, leading to 3,000 folks saved However it wasn’t the Holy Spirit’s debut efficiency The Spirit was energetic from earlier than time started (see Genesis 1:2 for His first point out). He's who regenerated God’s folks earlier than Christ’s time, giving them the need to obey.

As Barry Cooper writes:

Moses was given the Holy Spirit, and at one level he famously cried out, “Would that each one the Lord’s folks have been prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” However by the prophet Joel, God promised that the day would come when His Spirit could be given to all believers in a brand new and extra highly effective means: “It shall come to move afterward [He says], that I'll pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” Peter quoted that very same passage in his Pentecost Day sermon (that you just simply learn) as that exact prophecy was fulfilled in actual time.

Right here is probably probably the most vital distinction between the outdated covenant saints and new covenant believers: Not all the outdated covenant saints got presents by the Holy Spirit for ministry — however each new covenant believer is presented as He involves dwell inside us.

As Cooper notes, “That's the surprise of Pentecost: God coming to dwell extra totally in every believer, to offer them energy and presents for service.”

However what's the function of these presents?

The primary believers give us a touch: They instantly started declaring the glory of God in a number of completely different languages so that each one current with them there in Jerusalem may perceive.

Peter — the identical man who, consumed with worry, had lied about his relationship to Jesus to guard himself simply 50 days earlier — boldly proclaimed the gospel to all of Jerusalem, leading to 3,000 souls becoming a member of God’s household.

That is the last word which means of Pentecost. The identical Spirit who emboldened Peter that day dwells inside us for the aim of proclaiming the gospel.

Taking Pentecost again It’s necessary to grasp that the emphasis shouldn't be on the presents.

I consider that is the place many Christians get it incorrect, together with those that name themselves Pentecostals, as a result of they emphasize talking in tongues and different such manifestations as in some way being a "second act of grace" that Christians must expertise.

The entire counsel of the Bible teaches that the Spirit indwells us when God saves us, and sure presents have been clearly meant for the apostolic age — to assist folks confirm who was really representing Christ earlier than the scripture was finalized. (Apostles, by the best way, have been the historic figures who personally skilled Jesus Christ within the flesh and whom Jesus despatched out. There are not any apostles at present, though there are folks claiming to be.)

Let's rejoice Pentecost for the joyful reminder it's: that the very Spirit of God lives in us for the aim of conforming us to Him in obedience and proclaiming Him fearlessly.