Pentecost: strength for the gospel

Jesus promised his disciples: “See, I am sending you what my Father has promised. But you should remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Lk 24,49)Luke repeats Jesus' promise: "And when he was eating with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you have heard me say: For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'" (Apg 1,4-5).

In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that the disciples received the promised gift on the day of Pentecost, for they were baptized with the Holy Spirit, who endowed them with the power of God. “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Apg 2,4).

The Jews traditionally associate Pentecost with the transfer of the law and the covenant made with the people of Israel on Mount Sinai. Thanks to the New Testament, we have a more complete understanding today. We connect Pentecost with the Holy Spirit and the covenant that God has made with people from all nations who belong to his church.

Called to be witnesses

At Pentecost we remember that God has called us as his new people: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1. Petr 2,9).

What is the purpose of our calling? Why does God call us his own people? To proclaim his blessings. Why does he give us the Holy Spirit? To be witnesses of Jesus Christ: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Apg 1,8)The Holy Spirit empowers us to preach the Gospel, to proclaim the good news that people are in God's kingdom through God's grace and mercy and what Christ has done for us.

God made a covenant, an agreement, with us. God promises us eternal life, whereby the Holy Spirit represents an inalienable expectation of our salvation (this is a right whose condition has not yet been fulfilled). God's promise is his part in the agreement. She is characterized by grace, mercy and the Holy Spirit. We are called and endowed with the Holy Spirit - here and now our part begins - that we may witness the mercy of God that came to us in Jesus Christ our Savior. This is the mission of the church, its purpose, and the purpose to which every member of God's church, the body of Christ, is called.

The Church has the mission to preach the Gospel and to teach people about the redemption that was purchased for us through the sacrifice of Christ: “Thus it is written, that the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all nations. From Jerusalem onward, you are witnesses of these things.” (Lk 24,46-48)The Holy Spirit was given to the apostles and believers at Pentecost so that they might become authorized witnesses of Jesus Christ.
The mission of the Church is part of the picture that is made clear to us on Pentecost. On Pentecost, we celebrate the dramatic beginning of the New Testament Church. We also remember our spiritual initiation into the family of God and the constant renewal, as well as the strength and courage that God gives us through the Holy Spirit. Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit guides the Church in truth and leads, inspires, and equips God's people so that we may be "conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Röm 8,29)...and that he intercedes for us at the throne of God (verse 26). Likewise, Pentecost may remind us that the Church consists of all those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. Every year, Pentecost reminds us to preserve unity in the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph 4,3).

Christians observe this day in remembrance of the Holy Spirit, whom they received together at different times. The church is not simply a place where principles of a healthy and virtuous life are taught; it exists for the purpose of proclaiming the blessings of Jesus Christ and emphasizes once again: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the blessings of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1. Petr 2,9).

While we all want to become spiritually changed people, that is not the only goal we have. Christians have a mission - a mission that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. He inspires us to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ and to carry the message of reconciliation through faith in his name throughout the world.

Pentecost is the result of a life led by the Holy Spirit - a life that testifies to the righteousness, power, and mercy of Jesus Christ. A faithful Christian life is a testimony of the gospel. Such a life proves, it reveals the truth, that God is working in us. It is a walking, speaking testimony of the gospel.

A spiritual harvest

Pentecost was originally a harvest festival. The Church continues to participate in a spiritual harvest today. The fruit, or result, of the Church's mission is the spread of the Gospel and the proclamation of salvation through Jesus. "Lift up your eyes and see the fields: they are ripe for harvest," Jesus said to his disciples when they were in Samaria. Even then, Jesus spoke of a spiritual harvest in which eternal life is bestowed upon people: "For everyone who reaps receives a wage and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together." (Joh 4,35-36).

On another occasion, Jesus saw the crowd and said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mt 9,37-38)This is what Pentecost should inspire us to do. We should thank God by helping us see the people around us who are ready for the spiritual harvest. We should pray for more workers because we long for more people to share in God's spiritual blessings. We desire that God's people proclaim the blessings of the one who saved us.

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (Joh 4,34)That was his life, his nourishment, his energy. He is the source of our life. He is our bread, the bread of eternal life. Our spiritual nourishment is to do his will, his work, which is the gospel. We are to follow in Jesus' footsteps, to embody his way of life while he lives in us. We are to allow him to accomplish his purposes in our lives and to live for his glory.

Early Church Message

The book of Acts is full of evangelistic speeches. The message is repeated again and again, focusing on Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, Judge, and King. Even Cornelius, a Roman centurion, knew the message. Peter told him, “You know the good news that God gave to Israel: that he has brought peace through Jesus Christ, and that Christ is Lord over all!” (Apg 10,36)Peter summarized the message, which was already so widespread that even Cornelius knew it: “You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.” (Apg 10, 37-39).

Peter continued preaching the gospel, mentioning Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, and then he summarized the church's commission: "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (Apg 10, 42-43).
So we preach about salvation, grace, and Jesus Christ. Yes, indeed! He is the greatest blessing we have ever experienced. The truth about our salvation is exciting, and we want to share it with others so they too can rejoice in the same blessing! When the church was persecuted for preaching the message of Jesus, they prayed for boldness so they could preach even more! “When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly… with great power the apostles testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Apg 4,31.33). The Holy Spirit was given to them so that they could preach Christ.

For every Christian

The Spirit was not given only to the apostles or to the newly founded church as a whole. The Holy Spirit is given to every Christian who believes in Jesus. Each of us should be a living witness to Jesus Christ because our hope is founded on Christ, for each of us has the opportunity to offer an encouraging response to our hope. After Stephen was stoned for preaching about Jesus Christ, a great persecution with an even greater impact came upon the early church. Everyone except the apostles fled Jerusalem. (Apg 8,1)Wherever they scattered, they spoke the word and "preached the gospel of the Lord Jesus." (Apg 11,19-20).

Luke paints a picture of many Christian men and women who fled Jerusalem because of their belief in Jesus Christ. They could not be silenced, even if their lives were threatened! It didn't matter whether they were elders or lay people - each of them bore their testimony of Jesus Christ. As they were roaming around, they were asked why they left Jerusalem. No doubt they told everyone who asked.

That is the fruit of the Holy Spirit; this is the spiritual harvest that was kindled by Pentecost. These people were ready to give an answer! It was an exciting time and the same enthusiasm should reign in the church today. The same Holy Spirit led the disciples then and the same Spirit leads the church today. You can ask for the same boldness to be a witness of Jesus Christ!

by Joseph Tkach