On Pentecost, the incarnation of God in Christ was internalized and became personal. God in Christ became incarnate in Jesus’ disciples. Wind and purifying fire came upon ordinary believers as they were filled with the Holy Spirit, becoming the first members of Jesus’ church.
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:1-4
And not just them. Ever since Pentecost believers have received this gift of God-dwelling-within to provide us with guidance, courage, comfort, hope, and peace. From Pentecost on, the influence of Jesus was not limited to the few who had been with him throughout his earthly days. Now everyone could know the healing, saving presence of Christ.
“There were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own language?” Acts 2: 5-8
It was as if disciples who spoke only English suddenly had the power to speak about what God had done through Jesus in the languages of French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc. The church of Jesus Christ knows no national boundaries.
“’Brothers, what should we do?” the crowd asked. Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”-Acts 2: 37, 38
On Pentecost ordinary men and women were filled with faith and became courageous witnesses to God’s salvation in Jesus Christ. It was a dangerous time to depart from the accepted beliefs of the day, but his followers were changed people. -DJ
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