Sermon Central
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What Is Pentecost?
Contributed by Ps Trevor Bartley on May 25, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: The words of Jesus found in Acts 1:4 intrigued me “Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.” Are you interested to find out what Jesus said to His disciples?
THE RUACH HA-KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT)
It has been 50 days since resurrection Sunday, culminating the 50th day for the Jews as Chag HaShavuot (Feast of Weeks) (Exodus 34:22). For the Christians, this is the day of the indwelling of the Ruach Ha-Kodesh (HOLY SPIRIT) on the first disciples.
Because this holiday occurred on the 50th day after Passover, Hellenist Jews called it Pentecost, from the word pente, meaning fifty in Greek.
On the 50th day, a new grain offering is to be presented to the Lord, and a sacred assembly held to celebrate the Feast of Shavuot (Weeks or Pentecost).
These 50 days remind the Jews that 50 days after God physically freed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, He spiritually freed them from idolatry and immorality by giving them the Torah (the Word of God) on Mount Sinai.
For us Christian, these 50 days points to the 50 days from the day that Jesus freed us from sin with His blood to the day that He sent the promised Ruach Ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) to fill the Apostles and others who were waiting in Jerusalem.
Acts 2:1-4, AMP
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place, 2 When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].
Receiving the Ruach Ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) is our seal of freedom forever and our entrance into the kingdom of God.
It is very important to remember that the disciples were told not to attempt ministry without the infilling of the Holy Spirit as found in Acts chapter one.
Acts 1:4-5, AMPC
And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.
5 For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.
John 3:5, NKJV
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
We are reminded through scripture that we should be looking forward to the day that Jesus returns, and our participation of the communion symbolises this.
We should also be thankful that Jesus came to set the captives free from sin, made us Righteous, reconciled us with God, cancel all our spiritual debts, and that He sent His Spirit to seal us with His promise of eternal life. We can hold on to the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Glory Hallelujah.
The words of Jesus found in Acts chapter one verse four intrigued me “Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.” Are you interested to find out what Jesus said to His disciples? Let us read what Jesus told His disciples about this event known to us as the day of Pentecost!
John 14:1-6, 12-14 (Because of the Holy Spirit we can do greater things), 15-31
John 15:1-8, 9-17
PARAKLÉTOS
In the widest sense, a helper, assistance and support in times of hardship and distress, aider, assistant; So the Holy Spirit was destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of gospel truth, and to give them the divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom: John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, cf. Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11f. [Strong's concordance]
Why do we need the infilling of the Parakletos - Ruach Ha-Kodesh - (the HOLY SPIRIT)? To help us through test and trials.
John 16:33 (AMPC)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Mark 13:11, (AMPC)
Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
When was your day of Pentecost?
