From Ben – 23 May 2021

This is a very special day in the Christian calendar. Every Sunday is a day of rejoicing for us as the children of God, reminding us that we serve a risen saviour. However, this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. This is the day we remember that the Holy Spirit was released to flood the church in a whole new way with power and authority.

Not to think that the Holy Spirit was absent or removed from God’s work in the O.T. Any brief reading of Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit was with the Father and the Son at creation and all through God’s dealing with the patriarchs and Israel as a nation. It was the Holy Spirit who revealed God to the nation and empowered its leaders and prophets.

However it was on the Day of Pentecost after the church had met for a 10 day prayer meeting, that the Holy Spirit came upon the church in a whole new way. The people that day heard the sound of a rushing wind and what appeared to be tongues of fire settled over people. What God had long ago promised through the prophet Joel, came true in detail as young and old experienced God as never before and spoke in languages they had not previously known, as they glorified God and shared the gospel, resulting in 3000 being saved that day.

From that great event until Jesus returns, the Holy Spirit is at work in the life of every Christian, guiding, leading, gifting and conforming us to be like Christ. Let us this day thank God for His gift of the Holy Spirit and give Him full control over every part of our lives, that we may be captivated by His power.