The Importance of Pentecost

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,  He cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

Nicodemus, a Jewish Rabbi and Pharisee, was a scholar and a teacher of the Word, yet he did not understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of Scripture. He asked Jesus, “How can a man be born again when he is old?” Jesus answered, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:4-6). We were formed in a water-filled environment and entered the world with a sin nature. Though we were born physically alive, our spirit was dead. Therefore, our spirit must be reborn. 

The Pharisees and Sadducees were meticulous in all writings pertaining to the Law of Moses. They were self-righteous and held to their traditions and interpretations of the law, even nullifying portions of God’s Word. (Nullification of various biblical truths is evident in many of today’s churches.) These men believed that their knowledge and holy acts would save them; however, their actions revealed what was in their hearts. So, when they came to the Jordan River, John the Baptist denounced them as hypocrites who needed to repent and turn from their wicked ways. 

There are many wonderful and good-intentioned people who have attended and followed the traditions of their church for most of their lives but never verbally invited Jesus to be Lord of their life. They know about Christ, but they have never formed a relationship with Christ. Their hope of heaven has rested in church membership, works, and baptism as an infant. This deception has lulled many into a false security. A pastor once said, “Sitting in a garage doesn’t make you a car and sitting in Church doesn’t make you a Christian.”

Jesus gave warning through the prophet, John the Revelator, to the seven churches of Asia. Of those seven Christian churches, five churches had compromised God’s Word with their apathetic acceptance of immorality, idol worship, and backslidden ways. These ancient churches are a spiritual paradigm for today’s Church that tolerates, and in some cases, embraces sin. God is looking for a godly people whose hearts are fully committed to biblical truths. However, godliness can never be achieved through human strength.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, but before His ascension into heaven, He spoke to His disciples about the “promise” that was soon to come. He told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the “promise of the Father” of which He had spoken. He said, “John truly baptized with water; but [you] shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:3-5). Jesus then told them, “You shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). 

Pentecost is celebrated every year, 40 days after Easter. It marks the day when the disciples were all gathered in one place waiting for that “promise.” Suddenly a sound, like a rushing mighty wind, came from heaven. There appeared cloven tongues like fire, which sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:2-4). Today, that same promise is for those who have accepted Christ. Although the Holy Spirit no longer appears as cloven tongues, a person who receives, has a keen awareness of His presence and His “voice” speaking into their spirit.  

God wants us to be infilled with the Holy Spirit, thereby enabling us to be bold and faith-filled Christians. We need a power beyond ourselves. It was for that purpose, that Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before going out into the world. They needed wisdom, discernment, knowledge, direction, truth, peace, and all the gifs of the Spirit to empower them in overcoming worldly temptations, trials, and dangers. 

The Holy Spirit enables us to live with power and authority in Jesus’ name. With God’s Spirit, we no longer struggle in our own strength, for He becomes our strength, our fortress, and our high tower. His Spirit leads, guides, and equips us to obey Him and to love others as Christ loves us. The Holy Spirit gives us insight, wisdom, discernment, courage, and faith to live a victorious life—no longer servants and slaves to fear, sin, death, and the world. 

The Holy Spirit speaks to our heart and empowers us to be witnesses for His kingdom (Acts 1:8). His Spirit empowers us to love and forgive as Christ loves and forgives. For the human spirit has no power to generate God’s love, forgiveness, power, and strength. Nor does it have power to generate discernment, revelation, and wisdom. That power comes only from God’s Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples with a new faith and vigor, His Spirit will empower us, if we invite His Spirit to fill us. When God asked King Solomon what He could do for him, he requested God’s wisdom, because wisdom is not inherent to humans. And because he asked for wisdom and not riches, God supernaturally gave Solomon wisdom, riches, and power. 

Today, God is calling all to repentance for being apathetic towards the things of God. For those who have not invited the Holy Spirit to dwell within them, ask Him to empower you with His Holy Spirit that you may walk in faith and victory.

God’s Spirit will never fail us nor forsake us. For He said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

PRAYER: FATHER, I ask that you fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for having a casual relationship of convenience. Help me to seek You each day through Your Word, prayer, and in conversation, as one who speaks with a friend (John 15:15). May Your Holy Spirit daily guide me according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

AN INVITATION: During my first 23 years on earth, I believed in God; ergo, I was a Christian? Then one winter’s night, I was presented with an invitation that forever changed the trajectory of my life. Maybe you have been in church most of your life, or possibly you have been a casual attendee, but neither have verbally confessed before God, “Jesus is Lord.” If so, I invite you to say the following prayer:

LORD God, Your Word says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but if I declare with my mouth that‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Romans 10:9). Today, I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. He was crucified, died, was buried, and arose from the grave. I am a sinner who needs a Savior. I welcome Jesus Christ into my heart and ask that I be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Congratulations! Today, you have embarked on a new and exciting Spirit-filled journey with God. May God bless you as you pray and seek Him each day.