THAT PENTECOST EXPERIENCE

​ “On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each one of them. Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” . . . . .                                                                                                                                                              Acts 2:1-4 (New Living Translation)
 
          Can you remember your Pentecost moment? It’s something you can never forget. Some of us remember where we were when President Kennedy was assassinated. More of us remember the exact moment we heard of the death of Princess Diana but can you remember where you were when you felt that rushing wind, tongues of fire or waves of peace, calm and stillness, when you were changed for ever on that day when the Holy Spirit entered your heart and mind and soul?
        
         Jesus had gone, fifty days after His resurrection, now ascended and returned to His Father but he’d sent another to be with His followers. The Holy Spirit is the third part of the triangle (the Trinity) that is God. The Spirit is His life-giving power – the bit of God that dwells inside us, spurring us on, bringing us comfort, guiding us in what to do – making us more like Christ.
         
        The Holy Spirit appeared like “tongues of fire” on their heads and set the disciples ablaze. It was the Tower of Babel reversed (Genesis ch.11). At Babel humans clambered up to be near God but here, God has already come down to be one of them. Now all the nations could understand each other. Now language was not a barrier.
         
        The Holy Spirit sent the disciples out to talk about all they had seen and heard to spread the Good News and the Spirit empowered them to live God’s way. God made his presence known to this group of believers in a spectacular way – violent wind, fire and His Holy Spirit. Would we like God to reveal Himself to us in such recognisable ways? He may do – or maybe not. Elijah needed a message from God (1Kings 19:10-13), experiencing a great wind, earthquake and fire but God’s message came in a gentle whisper. God may use dramatic methods to work in our lives – or He may speak in a gentle whisper. We just need to wait patiently for God and always listen.
         
        Our Christian faith is not limited to any race or group of people. Christ offers salvation to all people regardless of who or what they are. Those visitors in Jerusalem were surprised to hear the apostles and others speaking in languages other than their own but they need not have been. God works all kinds of miracles to spread the Gospel, using many ways and languages as He calls all kinds of people, not just a select few, to become His followers. No matter what your race or language, your education or status in society, God speaks to us through a raging furnace or a gentle whisper – and when the Holy Spirit enters your life, you’re never the same again.
         
​        Are we listening for our Pentecost moment? Have you had your Pentecost experience? Ask God to pour out the Holy Spirit in your life – it’s too good to miss!

Prayer
“Father God, we pray that as we celebrate Pentecost, we recognize our utter dependence on You and stand overwhelmed by Your power. We praise You that on this Day of Pentecost, Your promise of the Holy Spirit is for us today. May we know and experience what it means to be filled with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the life-enhancing power and presence of the Holy Spirit. May He empower us to live in You. Amen.”

“O God of burning cleansing flame;
Send the fire!
Your blood-bought gift today we claim,
Send the fire today!
Look down and see the waiting host,
And send the promised Holy Ghost;
We need another Pentecost!
Send the fire today!
Send the fire today!
                                                     
                                            William Booth (1829-1912), founder of The Salvation Army 

Author

Peter Jolly