4 June 2019

PENTECOST SUNDAY (1)

By John Ollis

This coming Sunday 9th June is celebrated in the Christian Church around the world as PENTECOST SUNDAY, Some 50 days after the Crucifixion and 10 days after the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, the Church was born on the Day of Pentecost as the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 in the Upper Room and they spoke in unknown languages as the Holy Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4) Jesus had told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father which Jesus had shared with them previously. (Acts 1:4) This promise included POWER so that they could be witnesses not only in Jerusalem, but in Judea and Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. As most of the Disciples were Jews, as a result of their regular attendance at the Synagogue they had some idea of who the Holy Spirit was. We read right back in Genesis 1:2 NKJV And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Throughout the Old Testament they would have heard that the Holy Spirit came upon certain people likes Kings and Prophets, we read for example when David was anointed with oil by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13 NKJV And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. Ezekiel prophesied three times that God would put a NEW SPIRIT in His people, (11:19,18:31,36:26). This was all fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. So we thank God for the Holy Spirit but who is the Holy Spirit?? I will answer that question in my next blog. Please check it out.