The meaning of Pentecost is God’s equipping His church with the power of the Holy Spirit so that He will be glorified among the nations. The point of Pentecost is mission, and the goal of mission is that “…the earth will be FILLED with the KNOWLEDGE of the GLORY OF THE LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)
Before Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven, He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit would come. Jesus commanded the disciples to, “…not leave Jerusalem, but wait for THE GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT” (Acts 1:4-5). The church could not even exist without the Holy Spirit and so on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to the church and the church OFFICIALLY, WAS EMPOWERED TO BEGIN. The bible does teach us that Jesus, “…called His disciples to Himself; and from them He CHOSE TWELVE whom He also named APOSTLES (the twelve names are listed). And He came down (1) WITH THEM and stood on a level place with (2) A CROWD OF HIS DISCIPLES and (3) A GREAT MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE…” (Luke 6:13-17)
What happened on that day? “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come…SUDDENLY there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it FILLED the whole house where they were sitting. Then there APPEARED to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one SAT UPON each of them. And they were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began TO SPEAK with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) “…they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And HOW IS IT THAT WE HEAR, EACH IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE in which we were born? …we hear them SPEAKING IN OUR OWN TONGUES the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:7-11)
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:14-18) “THOSE WHO ACCEPTED HIS MESSAGE WERE BAPTIZED, AND ABOUT THREE THOUSAND WERE ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER THAT DAY.” (Acts 2:41)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham