Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, was a harvest celebration of the covenant renewal of God’s promise to Israel. This celebration was a time for Jews to gather in Jerusalem from many nations which resulted in a worldwide harvest of new believers, the very first coverts to Christianity. They came to offer sacrifices and celebrate the bountiful blessings of the Lord. This was not the beginning of the Holy Spirit but the birth of God’s Church. The Holy Spirit was coming to people in a new way, a more powerful way, a new covenant age. We witness the Spirit actively at work from Genesis 1:2 and throughout Scripture. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples became messengers that would spread God’s mission of Jesus Christ to the uttermost.

Jesus remained with his disciples for forty days to demonstrate proofs and signs of his death, resurrection, and ascension. Just as the disciples were instructed, they waited in the upper room ten days for the coming of the Holy Spirit. One hundred and twenty gathered to obediently pray and wait on the Lord’s direction, and God miraculously showed up through the gift of the Holy Spirit in freedom and unity of this shared experience. Acts 2:2-4 (NRSV) describes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, “And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” God gifted his faithful disciples’ outward signs of tangible ways that the Spirit could be identified.

In John 3:8, Jesus compared the Holy Spirit’s work to the wind. But here the Holy Spirit’s increased power brings a mighty sound for this great event of Pentecost, the very breath of God. We witness throughout the Old Testament that fire often represents God’s holy presence and consuming everything that is impure (Ex. 3:2, 13:21; Ezk.1:4).  In Mathew 3:11, John prophesied that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Spirit’s fire is a purification that rekindles hearts to make them new and holy by setting them apart as God’s people. His breath and fire are transforming us with a fervor and love for himself and others.

Speaking in unknown languages is a gift from the Holy Spirit. This poignant oneness, communion of God, flowed mingle down because those who gathered had the love of Jesus in common. For the first time, the multitude of people were hearing the mighty works of God professed in such a way that struck them to the core of their hearts so that they could understand. The Holy Spirit was directing their syllables as they praised God. The power of the Holy Spirit was so evident that it had given these faithful disciples a message to proclaim that could reach every nation, tongue, and tribe.

As humans we are always skeptical of the unknown and need to observe life in a tangible way. But the Kingdom of God cannot be put into a box. God operates in different ways and at different times, all accordingly to the fullness of his design and will. As the Church, the body of Christ, we are summoned to open our hearts to every kingdom possibility by allowing the Holy Spirit to take complete control.

When faithful souls gather in the name of Jesus, the newness of life flourishes and the outpouring of God’s Spirit is like a mighty rushing wind, a flaming tongue, and unknown languages that unites his people together. Hallelujah! What is preventing such mighty acts of the Spirit in the church today, and what is in us that is blocking this outpouring of the Holy Spirit?

Reflection:

• Are you skeptical of the unknown and why?
• What is blocking you from receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit?

Dear Father,

Thank you for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. May we become living witnesses of all that Jesus is to further your kingdom. Let us gather as faithful people of God all for your glory!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

Blessings,

Dr. Caroline