THE HOLY SPIRIT - RECAPTURING PENTECOST

My next few blog posts will be thoughts and messages on the Holy Spirit that  I have shared with the local assembly God has placed us in.  I pray they will be a blessing to you.

Scripture reading: Acts 2:41-42

You can't talk about the Holy Spirit without talking about the Day of Pentecost. This is the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world. Some might say it's the birthday of the church. It's important to remember the church is not an organization, but rather a living breathing organism. The true church of Jesus Christ is not confined to a building or specific meeting times for that matter. We're talking about the church that Jesus in building.

What was Pentecost? It wasn't the beginning of a denomination, that's for certain. It was so named because it was the fiftieth day after Passover. The world did not know what had been happening during that time. Jesus had risen and had appeared to His disciples. The disciples had been commissioned and had witnessed the ascension of Jesus into heaven. Then came the ten days of waiting and praying. Let's take a look at the work of the Holy Spirit on this great day

Let's look, first of all, at the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion. They that gladly received His word (Acts 2:41). Who gladly received His word? The 3000 who had come for the feast. The 3000 who had been of the Christ-rejecting crowd. Praise God no one is too far gone for the Holy Spirit to reach!

What was this word they gladly received? It was a message of conviction (Vs 22). It was a message of the cross (Vs 23). It was a message of the resurrection (Vs 24). All real conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit. This was the case with Nicodemus (John 3:1-8). It was also the testimony of Paul to Titus (Titus 3:5).

Now let's look at the work of the Holy Spirit in public witness. Were baptized (Vs 41). Salvation takes place in the heart, but we confess Him openly. Baptism is a public witness – its us identifying with Christ. It's an outward sign of an inward cleansing. The Holy Spirit is involved in baptism. Remember the dove that decended when Jesus was baptized? Once you are saved, the Holy Spirit moves you to this next act of obedience – water baptism.

Think of the hostile atmosphere at that time. There is so much confusion on the subject of water baptism. People ask which is the correct mode of baptism: pouring, sprinkling or immersion? I believe it's best to take the Bible literally. The biblical mode of water baptism was immersion.

You are in good company when you choose baptism. Jesus chose it. Paul chose it. The converts on the Day of Pentecost chose it. The Holy Spirit gives public expression to the gospel through us.

The Holy Spirit is at work in Christian growth. They continued (Vs 42). They were not content to just escape hell – nor should we be. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to teach (John 14:18-18, 24). In fellowship – the bond between believers; a unity brought by the Holy Spirit; a deep sense of spiritual unity. In breaking of bread refers to communion services that were celebrated in remembrance of Jesus and were patterned after the Last Supper as a full meal. In prayers – the Holy Spirit plays a huge role in our prayer life. He leads us on to higher ground. Following the Holy Spirit will lead us to spiritual maturity.

The Holy Spirit works in the hearts and lives of believers. He leads us and calls us to do God's will. How will you respond to the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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