Pentecost

The celebration of Easter is the biggest day of the year for the Christian church world.  We celebrate the truth that Jesus not only died for our sins but rose from the grave to give life to all who believe.  Shortly after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He appear to the apostle and many other disciples to show them He was truly alive and to give them some final instructions.  One of the final instructions was for them to wait in Jerusalem for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit so they would have power to do all that He was calling them to do.  Acts one describes this importance in verse 8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Right after this Jesus ascended into heaven where is now sitting at the right hand of the Father.  This is a picture of power and authority.  The disciples were encouraged by an angel that Jesus would return in the same manner that He left.  For about 10 days the disciples were gathering in a large upper room praying and waiting for the promise that John the Baptist prophesied about and that Jesus promised to give once He ascended into heaven.  On the feast of First Fruits, Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all the disciples in the upper room which was about 120.  The significant thing about this event or any genuine encounter with God is they were praying and expecting God to do what He said He would do.  They did not try to come up with anything on their own they just waited for God to send the Holy Spirit.  After the apostle Peter preached a message clarifying what had happened he gave this powerful statement that applies for us today, Acts 2:39 "The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call."  The promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for everyone who calls on Jesus Christ as their Savior.  If you have not received this promise I encourage you to do what the early disciples did which was simply praying and waiting for God to do what He promised to do so we would live with the power of God upon our lives in order to do all that Jesus wants us to do.  Much more could be said and I will be doing that on Sunday May 7 at Bethel A/G in Burton MI.  I need a fresh encounter with God how about you.