Pentecost 1

While there has been some controversy over the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, it is evident that the Spirit was at work throughout the Old Testament era. He was particularly evident in the life and ministry of Jesus. He continues to work in the lives of persons whom God calls to repentance and faith. He guides the believer from spiritual birth to maturity, with the changes in attitude toward the gifts of the Spirit in recent years, and the Holy Spirit is the force field of God’s presence.

Salvation is the application of the work of Christ to the lives of mankind, and Faith  is at the very heart of the gospel, for it is the vehicle by which we are enabled to receive the grace of God.

Our union with Christ is vital, His life flows into ours, renewing our inner nature (Romans 12:2; 2 and Corinthians 4:16) and imparting spiritual strength.

Yes, Pentecost is the birthday of the Church; Pentecost is also the day the Israelites received the law of the covenant that He will be their God and they, His people. For the Jewish, it is the 50th day from the time God descended on Mount Sanai where fire, earthquakes, lightening, and thunder occurred. (Exodus 19:18) (NKJV). For the Christians, it is the 50th day before the Pentecost, for the people gathered on the day of Pentecost and Peter told the people to repent and receive the Holy Spirit. Peter received the keys and started the Church, and Pentecost continues in the Church.

Brothers and sisters, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are meant to be given away, the special gifts are for others and for the growth of the Church, and not for personal profit or gain.

In the Old Testament, when the Israelites worshiped the molded calf, 3,000 were wiped out, (Exodus 32) but in the New Testament, after Pentecost 3,000 were added to the Church. (Acts 2:41) (NKJV) (It is called Typology of Jesus).