PENTECOST 2010
May
23
Written by:
5/23/2010 12:00 AM
PENTECOST 2010
May 23, 2010
(Acts 2:1 NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:2 NIV) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:3 NIV) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (Acts 2:4 NIV) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:5 NIV) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:6 NIV) When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (Acts 2:7 NIV) Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? (Acts 2:8 NIV) Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
This Sunday many Christians throughout the world celebrate Pentecost. It occurred 50 days after Jesus was resurrected almost 2000 years ago. Jesus had appeared to his disciples and many others for a period of 40 days after he was resurrected. During that time Jesus told his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4 NIV) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (Acts 1:5 NIV) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
The disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. It was 50 days after the Passover. Jews were gathered in Jerusalem from many nations to celebrate. It was a festival of thanksgiving for the harvest. It was at this time that God chose to pour out the Holy Spirit on the church. The Jews that were gathered in Jerusalem from different nations were very surprised to hear the disciples of Jesus speaking in the languages of the countries they came from. Why? It was because the Jews knew the disciples were Galileans. Most of the disciples had never traveled to another country, yet they were declaring the wonders of God in the languages of many countries.
Some of the Jews began to make fun of the disciples and said they were drunk. Then another amazing thing happened. Peter, the disciple that had denied Jesus three times before the crucification, gave a very powerful speech. (Acts 2:14 NIV) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. (Acts 2:15 NIV) These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! (Acts 2:16 NIV) No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (Acts 2:17 NIV) "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2:18 NIV) Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Why was Peter suddenly declaring the words of God with power? He had been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised there would be power when the Holy Spirit came. (Acts 1:8 NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Peter concluded his message by saying Jesus who was crucified was both Lord and Christ. Peter’s message cut to the heart of the people that were gathered in Jerusalem. They asked what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. About 3000 people accepted his message and were added to the church on that day! The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost gave the church the power to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. The disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised. The Christian church began on the day of Pentecost over two thousand years ago.
What about today? Do we still need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Yes, the church still needs the power to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. (Mat 28:18 NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Mat 28:19 NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Mat 28:20 NIV) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Yes, today we still need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to receive power to proclaim the Gospel. Every person receives the Holy Spirit when they believe in Jesus Christ. However, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur when a person becomes a believer, but it usually happens later. I was water baptized about one year after I became a Christian. One year later I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Some people in the early church received the Holy Spirit baptism before they were water baptized. (Acts 10:44 NIV) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (Acts 10:45 NIV) The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. (Acts 10:46 NIV) For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, (Acts 10:47 NIV) "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." This is what happened with my wife. She was baptized in the Holy Spirit before she was water baptized. Last Sunday she told you how her life changed after she was baptized in the Holy Spirit.
My wife was baptized in the Holy Spirit at a Christian rally in Canada soon after I became a Christian. Shortly after that time we began attending Full Gospel Businessmen`s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) meetings and heard testimonies of how men’s lives were changed after they became Christians. We heard many testimonies about miracles and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Within a year I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and started a local chapter of FGBMFI. It is through FGBMFI that we came to Japan. On our first trip to Japan Aoki sensei invited us to give our testimonies at the Good Samaritan Church in April 1986. We became missionaries at the Good Samaritan Church in September 1989.
Without the baptism in the Holy Spirit we would not have become missionaries in Japan. The baptism in the Holy Spirit has given us more power to proclaim the Gospel. (Acts 1:8 NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. For those of you that have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit we strongly recommend you seek the Holy Spirit baptism so your lives can be empowered to fulfill the plans God has for you. The Holy Spirit baptism is your personal Pentecost.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is your personal Pentecost. For any of you that would like to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit my wife and I would be happy to pray for you.