“To the church, Pentecost brought light, power, joy. There came to each illumination of mind, assurance of heart, intensity of love, fullness of power, exuberance of joy. No one needed to ask if they had received the Holy Ghost. Fire is self-evident. So is power!” (Samuel Chadwick 1832–1917)
The Book of Acts occupies a unique position in the revelation of the person and role of the Holy Spirit. It records a fulfilment that is also a new beginning. The prophesies of the Old Testament and the promises of Jesus about the Holy Spirit have their fulfilment at Pentecost. The new age, the age of the Spirit, preached by Jesus, so evident in the Letters, had begun. It is a book in which the Holy Spirit is especially prominent and the Spirit’s activity dominates it.
The Book of Acts covers a period of some 30 years, from the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost to the close of Paul’s imprisonment. It describes the spread of Christianity around the northern Mediterranean to the heart of the Roman Empire. Christianity spread rapidly during the first century because all Christians saw themselves as responsible for disseminating the gospel. The ‘acts’ related are mainly those of the apostles Peter and Paul though the book might well be called ‘the acts of the Holy Spirit’. It is under that direction that the new-born church breaks through the national frontiers of Israel to become an international world-wide movement.
Acts 2 is Luke’s account of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost. In Christian usage Pentecost commemorates the giving, not of a law, but of a grace which is able to liberate Christ’s followers from the law and its consequences. This grace comes in the form of the Holy Spirit, a sending of the divine self which is traditionally pictured as both a purging fire and the very breath of life. It is significant that the Spirit is given 50 days after the Christian ‘passover’ which is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
We are told in Acts chapter 2 that on the day of Pentecost when the disciples were assembled, a violent wind and tongues of fire filled the house and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Why did this happen? When Jesus was on earth He lived and ministered in only in a small area. But after His death and resurrection the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised was available to every believer everywhere. When the Holy Spirit came its power could fill the entire universe because it was the mighty power of God Himself.
When you consider the task of spreading the Gospel message that faced those early Christians, they did a pretty good job. How do we measure up? Do we see ourselves as responsible to spread the gospel? Mass communication such as email and the internet can aid in personal evangelism and the development of Christians, but it cannot be a substitute for the world seeing the truth lived through us.
What will really succeed is the example we set. Of all commentaries on the Scriptures, good examples are the best. If you try to build up one person by being a good example, you’re building up two. If you try to convert someone without being a good example, you won’t convert anybody. If you want your neighbour to see what Christ will do for him, let him see what Christ has done for you.
Have a good week, Pastor Ron Clarke
Optional Bible reading; Acts 2:1-21
This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its twenty-sixth year, originating from Gympie, Fraser Coast, Queensland, Australia. A companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe via email send here with the words ‘Subscribe Word (or) Subscribe Word & Study’. Our ministry is free and emailing lists are confidential. Tell a friend or why not put a note in your church newsletter or pew sheet about this ministry – we welcome new subscriptions. Pastor Ron Clarke OAM Word for the Week Mbl.: +61 488 424 321
