Pentecost, Advent of the Holy Spirit

 

 1. Filled with Joy

It happened several years ago. The daughter of a Methodist pastor received the baptism in the Holy Spirit through studying the Bible, without anyone having told her about it. From then on, she lived in very close fellowship with Jesus. While her father was preaching the Word, she often could not contain herself and would cry out joyfully, “Hallelujah!” or “Amen!” This attracted uncomfortable attention.

The pastor opened his heart and also received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He broke out in joy and rejoicing and praised God in a new language, just as the Spirit enabled him to speak. Then he said, “Susan, keep it up! Go on! Tell all people what a joy it is to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Tell everyone: There is a glorious power. There is a glorious baptism in the Spirit and fire.”

2. The Miracle of Pentecost

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (ESV)

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[1] 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.

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)

I remember a youth event where a person from the leadership team spoke in other tongues. Through the Holy Spirit, she spoke in refined Spanish and then repeated the same words in German. Yet the person from the leadership team did not know a single word of Spanish.

After she had finished, a young Spaniard came onto the stage and called out to the crowd: ‘Dear aunt, tonight you praised God in proper Spanish and correctly interpreted it in German. I understood it perfectly. I now know that God exists, and I can no longer deny it.’

This deeply touched the young people. They all began thanking God for this miracle.”

3. God Loves All People

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Acts 10:44-46a (ESV)

Dear readers, if God can think in Chinese, speak in Polish, and allow us to hear in German and English, can He not also make you and me a mouthpiece for any language He chooses? Respond to His plan today.

4. Closing Words

We do not want to quench the gifts of the Spirit. But rather to earnestly strive for them.

But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV)

If you already follow Jesus and have given your life to Him, then the miracle of Pentecost is also for you.

Since Pentecost Monday 2020, my wife and I have been allowed to publish Christian encouragements for daily life on the internet. A total of 392 posts have been written and viewed 53,401 times across 20 countries during this period. Thanks be to God!

Author: Egon Waechter
AI Images: https://www.bing.com/images/create/