Pentecost

Just before Jesus died, Jesus told the disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit, counsel and comforter. "God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of strength and love and prudence" (2. Timothy 1,7). This is the promised Holy Spirit, the power from on high that the Father sent on the day of Pentecost.

On that day, the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostle Peter to deliver one of the most powerful sermons ever preached. He spoke without fear of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and killed by the hand of the unrighteous. This was predetermined by God before the founding of the world, just as he would be raised from the dead. The same apostle was so anxious and despondent only a good month before that he denied Jesus three times.

On this day of Pentecost, a miracle occurred that was exceedingly great. People heard that they were held responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. At the same time, about 3000 of them moved their hearts and made them aware that they are sinners and that is why they wanted to be baptized. This laid the foundation stone for the church. Just as Jesus said - he would build his church (Matthew 16,18). Indeed! By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we receive the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit: "Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive them Gift of the Holy Spirit "(Acts 2,38).

Like our human parents who give us good gifts, our Heavenly Father wants to give this most precious gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him. "If you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11,13). The father gave his son the spirit without measure: "For he whom God has sent speaks God's words; for God gives the spirit without measure (John 3,34).

Jesus Christ performed mighty miracles by raising the dead, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and making the deaf hear again. Can we understand that it is the same Holy Spirit that God gave us who baptized us into one body and made us drink the same spirit? "For we are all baptized into one body by one spirit, whether we are Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and are all imbued with one spirit" (1. Corinthians 12,13).

This knowledge is too wonderful to understand: God gives you this powerful Holy Spirit so that you can live a godly life in Christ Jesus, your Lord and Master, and walk your way. For you are a new creation in Christ, animated by the Holy Spirit, to live in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

by Natu Moti