PENTECOST—THE FOUNDING OF GOD’S CHURCH
Third of eight devotions in What God’s Festivals Teach series
Acts 2:1-4: “The day of Pentecost came, they were all together is one place. Suddenly a sound like a 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 and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them.”
What a day that Pentecost was!
Pentecost will be celebrated on June 4, 2017 as a shadow feast.
God’s Spirit plays a necessary part in Believer’s lives today. Whenever a Christian believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord, God’s Spirit moves in. Repentance and baptism energizes Him to begin transforming believers-in-Christ into Christ-likeness.
This process replaces our old way of thinking and living. Jesus’ attitude will guide us into a new way of life—completely foreign to our natural way. We won’t recognize ourselves after a short while during the Spirit’s transformation.
In Galatians 2:20, Paul writes what many pray daily to cooperate with God’s Spirit. They encourage God’s Spirit by praying, “I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Truly, it is through God’s Holy Spirit that Jesus comes to live in and guide His followers. Jesus congratulated Peter in Matthew 16:15-18. “But what about you?” He asked. ‘Who do you say I am?”
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, Son of the living God.’”
“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on FFFthis rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’” Jesus was referring to the rock of God’s Spirit on which He will build His church. Although Peter in Greek is Petros, or Petra, which means detached stone or rock, Jesus meant the rock of the Holy Spirit is where He’d build His church.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus really is the focus of Pentecost. As Believers, we can feel His eagerness to reign on earth ushering in God’s kingdom. Pentecost will no longer be a shadow Feast, but the real deal. We will all have access to God’s Spirit then.
Holy Father, help me to cooperate with Your indwelling Spirit to grow up, or be transformed day by day in Christ’s likeness. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ. Ohio. Pgs. 54-55.
J.D. Griffith
The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:
Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment