Pentecost: The Power of the Holy Spirit in His Work
Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel. May 24, 2023
Acts 2:1-4: "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."
Introduction
One would ask the question, "What really makes Pentecost important to believers?" Pentecost marks the birth of the Christian church and the beginning of the spread of the gospel message. It also demonstrates the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
This event is known as the Day of Pentecost and marks the birth of the Christian church. The disciples were able to speak in languages they had never learned, allowing them to spread the message of Jesus to people from all over the world. Pentecost was a day on which the disciples, being in unity and in one accord, received the promise that Jesus announced before His ascension. As in Acts 1:4, they were asked not to leave Jerusalem before receiving the Holy Spirit and the power to witness Jesus around the world.
As believers, we are called to seek wisdom, understanding, and knowledge through the Holy Spirit. Through this understanding, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's creation and the power of His handiwork.
The Holy Spirit provides believers with a deeper understanding of God's word and His will for their lives. Through this understanding, believers can gain knowledge and wisdom that help them navigate through life's challenges with grace and confidence. As we seek to grow in our understanding and knowledge of God, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us every step of the way. The works of the Holy Spirit are essential in our journey of faith as they provide us with understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. Through His guidance, we can discern God's will for our lives and make wise decisions that align with His purpose. Let us seek the Holy Spirit's help in all aspects of our lives and trust in His power to transform us from the inside out.
As we grow in our relationship with God, we can develop a deeper understanding of His character and a greater appreciation for His love and grace. Let us also remember to share this knowledge and wisdom with others, so that they too may experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
1. Change of thoughts
As soon as the cloud received Jesus at the ascension, the disciples had to do as they were told; they returned to Jerusalem, and in the upper room, they were committed to waiting for the promised helper to come. One thing that they needed was to remain together in one place. They never hold on to the thought of going back to fishing or their old life patterns. Instead, they devoted themselves to prayer and supplication while waiting patiently for the promise that Jesus gave them to come to pass. pass. As they waited, they also reflected on the teachings of Jesus and began to understand more fully the significance of his life, death, and resurrection.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV): "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God."
We are required to change our thoughts to God's thoughts and not live as the world does. This transformation of our minds will enable us to discern and follow God's perfect will for our lives, which is pleasing and acceptable to Him.
This is what took place on the day of Pentecost. The disciples remained unwavering, as days after Jesus died all hope was gone, and they could not understand how it was even possible for Him to die on the cross. They then backslid and went into their old lifestyle, but thanks be to Jesus, when He rose, He went looking for them and directed them to return and be firm about the gospel that had to be spread in Judea, Jerusalem, and the rest of the world. (John 21:1-25)
2. The violent wind
What was the significance of the violent wind on Pentecost Day? The violent wind symbolized the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who would empower the disciples to spread the message of Jesus to all nations. This event marked the beginning of the Christian church and was a fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send a helper to his followers after his ascension.
This was and is found in the Holy Spirit's power and guidance. They spoke in different languages and were able to communicate with people from various backgrounds, leading many to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit continues to empower believers today to share the gospel and bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. The Christian church's mission is to share the love of God with the world. Through the church's outreach programs and ministries, people can experience the transformative power of God's love and grace. This mission is carried out through acts of service, evangelism, and discipleship as believers seek to fulfill the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ.
By submitting to the Holy Spirit's will and allowing Him to renew our minds, we will experience true transformation and live a life that glorifies Jesus Christ.
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." Therefore, we can trust that God's plan for our lives Therefore, we can trust that God's gifts and blessings are always good and perfect. We should strive to use these gifts to serve Him and others. Jesus' promise is unchanging and always good. And the Holy Spirit helps believers with His guidance and trust in His provision as we navigate through life's ups and downs. We can find comfort in knowing that God's love for us is steadfast and His promises are true, even when we face challenges or uncertainties.
3. Filled with the Holy Spirit's power
What do believers get when filled with the Holy Spirit's power?
Believers are empowered to live a life that is pleasing to God and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The Holy Spirit also provides guidance, wisdom, and comfort in times of need. In the Bible, we see examples of individuals such as Peter and Paul who were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaimed the gospel message.
Acts 2:4, says, "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Another example is in Acts 4:8, where Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaims the gospel message to the religious leaders. These examples show that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can find strength and courage to share their faith even in difficult circumstances.
Additionally, Jesus himself was filled with the Holy Spirit at his baptism and relied on the Spirit's guidance throughout his ministry. One instance of this is when Jesus resisted Satan's temptation in the wilderness by responding with Scripture, demonstrating his reliance on the Spirit. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit's power in Acts 13:9–11, where he rebuked a sorcerer who was trying to turn a proconsul away from the faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul was able to perform miracles and speak boldly about his beliefs, inspiring others to do the same.
Another example in the Bible is in Acts 14:8–10, Paul encountered a man in Lystra who had never walked before. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul commanded the man to stand up and walk, and he was miraculously healed. These incredible displays of God's power through Paul's ministry served as a testament to the truth of his message and drew many people to faith in Christ.
In Acts 3:6, Peter and John also relied on the power of the Holy Spirit to heal a man who had been lame from birth. This miracle caused many people to believe in Jesus and join the early Christian community. This miraculous healing, which took place in the city of Lystra, induced many people to believe in the power of God and become followers of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit's activities are not restricted to the act of world-making. Believers rely on His wisdom and insight to help them make sense of the world and separate truth from lies in their daily lives.
As Christians, we should make it our mission to learn as much as possible about the Holy Spirit and to submit our lives to His guidance. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can learn about and appreciate God's marvelous creation. As we seek to deepen our relationship with God, we can rest assured that the Holy Spirit will teach us all the truth and show us how much He loves us. Based on our experience at Pentecost, what must we do to be filled with the Holy Spirit and exercise His power in our lives? The disciples received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost because they were united in prayer and thought.
By drawing closer to God in prayer and working toward spiritual harmony with other Christians, we can access this same strength. Pentecost teaches us that faith and receptivity to the Holy Spirit are essential. When we pray, we should ask God to fill us with His Spirit so that we can do His will without reservation.
