Stray Thoughts: Pentecost

This Sunday is Pentecost. It is on this day that the Church remembers the striking events of that first century Pentecost when the Spirit came upon the apostles. Something dramatic was happening. But what was it? Here’s one answer to that question that is common enough. This is the birthday of the Church. However, a closer look will show that that actually doesn’t work. That isn’t what is going on.

So, why do I say that? Well, the first thing to do is to be clear on what our words mean. Agreed upon definitions are always important. So, what is the Church? A common enough definition might go something like this. ‘The Church is that group of people who believe in Jesus.’ So, it’s obvious, if you define ‘Church’ in that way, that Pentecost has to be the beginning of the Church since people didn’t believe in Jesus before. How could they? He hadn’t come yet.

So, what’s wrong with that? Well, consider this question. What about those saints who lived before Jesus showed up? I’m thinking about people like Abraham, Moses, David, you know, Old Testament saints. If they didn’t believe in Jesus, then they are now in hell, right?

Pentecost

Last week I mentioned that there were five key events in Jesus’ earthly ministry that make all the difference for us today: His birth, His death, His resurrection, His becoming Lord and His sending the Spirit. Last week, since it was Ascension Sunday, we looked at Jesus becoming Lord. Today is Pentecost Sunday. It only seems right for us to spend a little time considering the fifth event in Jesus’ earthly ministry, the sending of the Spirit.

Listen to how Luke described that Pentecost day.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2.1–12

So, a mighty rushing wind, bits of fire, proclamation in various languages the mighty works of God done through Jesus. That’s what happened. And it’s important to know what happened.

However, the question of the crowd is also quite important. ‘What does this mean?’ It’s not enough to simply recount the details of the event. What we need to be clear about is the significance of the event. What does this mean?

Pentecost

If last Sunday was Ascension Sunday that means that this Sunday is Pentecost. So, we will, once again, set aside our journey through Romans in order to take a little time to reflect on another event in the history of redemption. Pentecost is the next to last act in Jesus’ work to redeem this world. The last act will be His return.

The Ascension is a big deal because Jesus now intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand. Okay. So, why is Pentecost a big deal? One popular notion among some Christians these days is that Pentecost is when the Spirit finally shows up. It is the advent of the Spirit who has come to create the Church. Well, that can’t be right. For one thing, the Spirit was actually quite busy before Pentecost. It was the Spirit who, in the beginning of creation, hovered over the face of the waters. When it was time to build the Tabernacle in the desert, it was the Spirit who gave Bezalel the ability to do some very beautiful work. The Spirit blessed David as king, which is why he prayed, ‘Take not Your Holy Spirit from me’. The Spirit filled John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, to speak words of prophecy. It was the Spirit who anointed Jesus for ministry at His baptism. And let’s not forget that the Spirit was working through Moses and the others to inspire the first part of the Bible. So, I think that we’d be way off in thinking that Pentecost is the time when Spirit finally shows up.

And when the Spirit makes an appearance on Pentecost, what does He do? Well, He doesn’t create the Church. Consider those who lived before Pentecost, people like Abraham and David. Weren’t they saints like us? They believed the Gospel as it was revealed to them, in things like the sacrifices. They were believers. So, what shall we call them as a group? Referring to the saints of Moses’ day, Stephen calls them ‘the church in the wilderness’. The Spirit didn’t start the Church. The people of God, the saints, the Church, existed way before that Pentecost recorded in Acts.

Well, we still haven’t answered our question. Why is Pentecost a big deal? What did the Spirit do on that day in the first century? Listen to what Jesus said to His apostles.

Pentecost Sunday

Today is Pentecost Sunday. So, I figured that it would be good to talk to you about the Spirit whom Jesus sent on that first Pentecost. I want to do this because it has become clearer to me lately that we - that’s both you and I - need to do some work on understanding better who the Spirit is and what it is that He does. I’m hoping that what I have to say to you this morning will help in achieving that goal.

Like last week, I’m going to pose a question and then answer it. And it will be pretty much the same basic question. Now that He has been sent by Jesus, what is the Spirit doing? Now, obviously, there are many things that the Spirit is doing. I’m just going to look at one.

Pentecost

Today, as last week, we're going to look at one of God's works of redemption. Last week it was Jesus' ascension into heaven. Today, it's going to be the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost. And that's appropriate since today is Pentecost Sunday. As last week, the goal is for us to remember. It is as we remember the great works of God, especially His works of redemption, that we are able to live well. That really is an important goal - not just to get by, but to live well. And the Gospel gives us the resources to do exactly that.

Pentecost

Today is Pentecost Sunday when many churches remember the Spirit coming to the Church. This coming of the Spirit was always part of the plan. Remember what Jesus said,

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus promised to send the Spirit, and He kept that promise.

Okay, the Spirit has come. But what difference does that make? This is how Jesus answered that question when He spoke to the eleven.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

The Spirit has come and as a result the Church has power that it didn't before. It's this power that we're going to look at this morning.

Pentecost

Today is Pentecost Sunday. On the first Pentecost Sunday something big happened. Jesus sent the Spirit and the people of God received Him in a new way. I thought that it would be good to consider what that was all about and especially what that means for us. This morning’s text is not a recounting of what happened when Jesus sent the Spirit. That is recorded in Acts chapter 2. Our text will, however, help us to understand what happened.

Please listen as I read Acts 1.1-11.