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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 and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem, God-fearing Jews from every nation
under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together
in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language
being spoken.
-Acts 2:1-6
It must have been quite a party, that first Pentecost when the gathering of people all heard, but also understood, the incredible message that EVERYONE who calls upon the Lord will be saved.
Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after the Passover Sabbath (see Leviticus 23:15-21). All the farmers would bring their first fruits to the temple. But there was a problem. The priests who were reciting the convocation spoke only in Hebrew. Those who didn’t even speak the language would have to repeat the same words in Hebrew.
God, in His perfect timing, sent the Holy Spirit upon the people. Suddenly, like a powerful wind, the people were filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in a variety of languages, and others could understand! As Pastor David Seybold states, “The arrival of the Spirit was God’s announcement that Jesus had completed His work with success and distinction.”
Previously, at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), God derailed man’s evil pursuits and confused them with different languages. But on that Pentecost day, God united the people with different languages. The Holy Spirit filled them with understanding and unity. They were a fellowship of believers.
So are we! Maybe it’s not always a language barrier, but we are all different, aren’t we? Even in our little church, we hail from Vail, Denver, California, and New York. Our skin color is different, our hair color varies, and the color of our eyes spans the color spectrum. Some excel at writing, while others thrive at math. Our fellowship comprises numerous socio-economic backgrounds and households, and yet we are a united fellowship of believers centered on Jesus.
God calls his people, on Pentecost, to explode the barriers they had set up. We confess our sins. We remember our baptism, where God pours out and fills us with His Holy Spirit. We submit to God and, with great peace and confidence, we tell others about what He has done. The old is gone, the new has come.
God’s promise is not reserved for only a select few. His NEW Covenant includes all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, people from all nations. Those who believe are included.
Now we, with the power of the Holy Spirit, gladly tell others this incredible message of renewal in Christ our Lord so that they may hear and believe too. We will do just that this Sunday at Grace FELLOWSHIP, a fellowship of believers who believe in Jesus as our Lord and our Savior. Time to party.
See you Sunday. I can’t wait!
Pastor Austin
PS. Happy Birthday Sunday, Deb Brockett, we love you!
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