Pentecost is the celebration of the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out by the resurrected and exalted Jesus for the empowerment and encouragement of all of His people.
“All that we spiritually know of ourselves–all that we know of God, and of Jesus, and His word, we owe to the teaching of the Holy Spirit; and all the real light, sanctification, strength, and comfort, we are made to possess on our way to glory, we must ascribe to Him.” Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)
CONSIDERATIONS:
1. The Holy Spirit: Promise and Fulfillment (Acts 2:1)
The Holy Spirit is represented as embodying fire and power; the fire of purification and energy, and the power to bear witness and to fulfill our calling.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11
"...for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:5
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
2.
The pouring out of the Holy Spirit inaugurated the “last days."
“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams...” Acts 2:17
3. Pentecost is the coronation celebration of the exalted Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:33).
"This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing." Acts 2:32-33
"Therefore it says, 'When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.'” Ephesians 4:8
"He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." John 16:14
APPLICATIONS:
1. The Holy Spirit brings fire which represents purification, passion, and judgment (Acts 1:5, Matthew 3:11, and Luke 3:15-18).
2. The Holy Spirit is given to empower believers:
- To proclaim the glory of the gospel (Acts 4:8, 31; 7:54-56).
- To carry out kingdom ministries (Acts 6:31; 20:28, 1 Peter 4:10-11, and Luke 24:49).
- To live with freedom and purpose
(Romans 8:12-13).
3. The exalted Christ: poured out power and daily/hourly strength.
“Jesus intercedes for you moment by moment. Your faith shall not fail, your grace shall not decline, your hope shall not make ashamed; for He who came down to earth, and was wounded for your transgression, and was bruised for your inequities, rose again from the dead, and ascended on high, now to appear in the presence of God for you. Christ prays for you, and that, when by reason of confusion of mind and weakness of body you cannot pray for yourself. Precious Jesus! You are that gentle Shepherd, who over-drives not Your little ones. When they cannot run, You do permit them to walk; and when through feebleness, they cannot walk, You do carry them. You are He of whom it is said, ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.’” Octavius Winslow
4. The Challenge of Luke 11:9-13.
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-13