Thought For the Week: 'The Pentecost Experience' (Eph. 5:18'

in steemchurch •  6 years ago 

Pentecost is a Greek word meaning "fifty", probably coined from Leviticus 23:16

Keep counting until the day after the seventh Sabbath, fifty days later, and bring an offering of new grain to the Lord.

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Source: https://pioneerlakelc.org/event/graduation-recognition-and-pentecost-wear-red/

The feast of Pentecost is also known as the feast of weeks or sheaves of the first fruits, at the end of the feast of unleavened bread; both of fall within the feast of passover. It was usually celebrated by the Jews on the 6th day of the 3rd Jewish month of Sivan (June).

It was on this day and in fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel 2:28, and the promises of Christ in Acts 1:8 that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred upon the disciples at the Upper room (Acts 2:1-4).

The 120 disciples of Christ in Acts 2, gathered together in one accord and with prayers, presented themselves as free-will new grain and prepared to pay the price of identifying with Jesus Christ.

The price of Pentecost, as clearly spelt out in Acts1:18 is withnesing, which translated from the Greek word 'Martus' meaning "Martyr".
For us to witness effectively, the goodness of Lord in our lives, we need the power from above - the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18), an invaluable personality in the body of Christ today (Acts 2:14).

The Holy Spirit has been active among people from the beginning of time, but after Pentecost, He came to live in all believers. The question is, why did the as tongues fire? (Acts 2:3).
Tongues symbolizes speech and communication of the Good News while fire symbolizes God's purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements of our lives and sets our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others.

It is therefore our responsibility today as we mark the feast of Pentecost to identify with the Great Commission of Christ (16:15), so that can be empowered from above by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Good News and reconcile estranged humanity back to God (2 Cor. 5:18-19).

Are you empowered by the Pentecost experience?
Then go out and boldly proclaim the Gospel.

I remain your neighbor @dubem-eu

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