Pentecost is known as one of the great festivals of the Church. In modern culture it isn't popular like Christmas or Easter, but for Christians it's very important. It celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and they were transformed. We will also explore the work of the Holy Spirit and his influence on the people of God throughout the bible.
In order to understand the immense importance of this gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we need to explore the meaning of Pentecost further. Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the freedom of the Israelites from Egypt. After Passover there were seven weeks - forty-nine days. The next day - the fiftieth day - was Pentecost, when the Jews celebrated the Feast of Weeks. Exodus 23:16 says, “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field.” In this passage, the term first fruits comes from the Hebrew, bakar (בָּכַר). It means “to bear new fruit or to constitute as first-born.” The observance of the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost was first used in the Old Testament in Exodus 34:22, Leviticus 23:15-22, Deuteronomy 16:16. Passover in the Old Testament pointed to the coming of Jesus to save his people from their sins. Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) in the Old Testament pointed to the coming of the Holy Spirit to bring new life to God's people.
The disciples of Christ were touched by the Holy Spirit, which is like wind’. The Holy Spirit is also like fire. Fire refers to the presence of God. In the bible, Moses met God at the burning bush (Exodus 3). After God took the people of Israel out of Egypt, he cared for them day in the pillar of clouds and night in the pillar of fire in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). Fire also includes the acts of destroying something. Our God destroys our sins through fire. Finally, fire refers to God’s judgment.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those first disciples started something special. Yet, sometimes it is difficult to understand the tremendous power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:4 it says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” One of these spiritual gifts is known as “speaking in tongues.” In Acts 2:4, “filling with the Holy Spirit” refers to the inward sign or gift, while “speaking in tongues” refers to the outward sign or gift. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples of Christ and gave them the ability to speak in tongues, to speak different languages and tell people about God’s word. As you know, tongues or languages are very important and special to believers of Christ. At Pentecost, the disciples started speaking in other languages to work for God (Acts 2:11). Unfortunately, many people did not understand the work of the Holy Spirit and made fun of them (Acts 2:13). However, Peter delivered the message of God to them with boldness (Acts 2:14. 16-21).
Because of Pentecost our God has given new life to his believers. Weak and powerless disciples of Christ grew to become brave and powerful disciples with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They were totally transformed. They became witnesses of Christ and devoted themselves to God. Strong disciples have been preaching and teaching the word of God to the rest of the world ever since. We ourselves, once we have ‘called on the name’ and believe in Christ will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Filled with the awesome gift of Pentecost, each of us is called by the Holy Spirit to live and work for God. And, in our own way, we can step out, like the brave disciples of the time of Jesus, to spread the word of God and make disciples of Christ here in this world.
Rev Dr Je Cheol Cook
The disciples of Christ were touched by the Holy Spirit, which is like wind’. The Holy Spirit is also like fire. Fire refers to the presence of God. In the bible, Moses met God at the burning bush (Exodus 3). After God took the people of Israel out of Egypt, he cared for them day in the pillar of clouds and night in the pillar of fire in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). Fire also includes the acts of destroying something. Our God destroys our sins through fire. Finally, fire refers to God’s judgment.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those first disciples started something special. Yet, sometimes it is difficult to understand the tremendous power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:4 it says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” One of these spiritual gifts is known as “speaking in tongues.” In Acts 2:4, “filling with the Holy Spirit” refers to the inward sign or gift, while “speaking in tongues” refers to the outward sign or gift. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples of Christ and gave them the ability to speak in tongues, to speak different languages and tell people about God’s word. As you know, tongues or languages are very important and special to believers of Christ. At Pentecost, the disciples started speaking in other languages to work for God (Acts 2:11). Unfortunately, many people did not understand the work of the Holy Spirit and made fun of them (Acts 2:13). However, Peter delivered the message of God to them with boldness (Acts 2:14. 16-21).
Because of Pentecost our God has given new life to his believers. Weak and powerless disciples of Christ grew to become brave and powerful disciples with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They were totally transformed. They became witnesses of Christ and devoted themselves to God. Strong disciples have been preaching and teaching the word of God to the rest of the world ever since. We ourselves, once we have ‘called on the name’ and believe in Christ will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Filled with the awesome gift of Pentecost, each of us is called by the Holy Spirit to live and work for God. And, in our own way, we can step out, like the brave disciples of the time of Jesus, to spread the word of God and make disciples of Christ here in this world.
Rev Dr Je Cheol Cook