Pentecost Sunday is often called the birthday of the church. But here is something many Christians do not realize: Pentecost was not a new festival invented by the apostles. It was an old Jewish festival. They were gathered in the upper room because the Law of Moses commanded them to be there.
Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot, fell 50 days after Passover. It was a harvest festival celebrating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.
Acts 2:1–4 records, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.”
First, understand that the Holy Spirit was already there since the beginning.
Genesis 1:2 says, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” The Hebrew word for Spirit is “Ruach,” which can also mean breath or wind.
The Spirit of God was not a New Testament invention. He was present at creation. He hovered over the chaos and brought order.
He breathed life into Adam and Eve. He empowered judges, prophets and kings. Yet in the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon specific people for specific tasks.
He did not dwell permanently in every believer. What happened at Pentecost was not the first appearance of the Holy Spirit. It was the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all who believe in Christ.
Second, understand that the work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus and empower the church.
John 16:13–14 says, “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.”
Jesus called the Spirit the Paraclete, a Greek word meaning Advocate, Comforter, or Helper. The Spirit would not draw attention to Himself. His role was to glorify Jesus.
At Pentecost, the Spirit did not give the disciples a new message. He gave them power to proclaim the same message, that Jesus is Lord and Christ, in languages they had never learned.
There is a danger of becoming fascinated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit gifts while forgetting the purpose of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit did not come to make us feel powerful. He came to make us effective witnesses.
When the Spirit filled the disciples, they did not sit in the upper room enjoying the feeling. They went outside and preached.
Do not seek the Spirit without seeking the purpose of the Spirit. If you want to be filled with the Spirit, ask yourself: Am I willing to be a witness? Am I willing to speak of Jesus? The Spirit fills those who are available for His mission.
The upper room was not a special building. It was a place of unity, prayer, and waiting. When the Spirit came, they went out.
The same invitation is open to you. Do not stay in the upper room. Go out and speak. | NWI
