Magyar Egyház, 1971 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-05-01 / 5. szám
6 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH $entecoőt Every year, as we approach the third great Christian holiday, Pentecost, our attention is turned toward the 3rd person in Trinity, The Holy Spirit. We read chapters from the Bible and hear the preaching on the “pouring out of the Spirit of God” upon the apostles, yet we have to admit that with a few exceptions, in most churches and throughout the world, this is one of the most neglected themes. Just take a quick glance at the “Apostle’s Creed” and observe how much more is said there about the Father, and the Son, than the Holy Spirit. Although, our Savior did not make any differentiation between the three persons of Trinity, He said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit For the average layman, the term and meaning of the Holy Spirit is uncertain, vague and if you think about the word Holy Ghost, it is even unpleasant. Some imagine misty, nebulous and “ghostly” things. If people meditate upon Almighty God, the Creator of all mankind, and the Lord Jesus Christ, his life and teaching and sacrifice, it can be noted, that these thoughts and words from the Bible make great impressions upon the individuals, but when someone comes to the Holy Spirit, the most enlightening and enriching experiences evade the multitudes. I never attended a Quaker Meeting House service, where people depend upon the guidance of the spirit and rise intermittently and speak disjointed utterances. Strange as the Quakers may seem, they do point toward the great importance of the Spirit of God, which is the real power in every individual congregation everywhere. Should we take into consideration the “pentecostal” movement, we would be amazed to learn that churches emphasizing the importance of the work of the Holy Spirit are the fastest growing Christian churches in the world. Indeed, we can understand the remark of an eminent Theologian, who was reminded once: “I wish you would preach more on the Holy Spirit”. Do we miss from our Christian churches the intellectual compulsion and the spiritual challenge that characterized the early Christians? Do we sense, that there is something wrong with the life and work of the congregation? Do we need something or someone who can revitalize the life of the individual and the church? Let us all turn to the Holy Spirit and pray that the Lord God Almighty send His Spirit upon people here in our midst and everywhere. This Spirit of God can give courage to the fearful, lead the disciples amid great perils with confidence. This Spirit can illumine the hearts and minds of everyday folk. The disciples were prepared for their task by the same Spirit which, at the first Pentecost, descended upon them in Jerusalem. During the course of history, Christians experienced the same rejuvenating power of God, whenever the Holy Spirit filled their hearts. Great “revivals” took place, and men and women accomplished great things, they never even dreamed of. The basic doctrines of our Church and the truths of our evangelical faith did not change, but we lack vitality. Who lifted up the cause of the first disciples in the Roman Empire? Who gave them zeal to go on and on? The Holy Spirit. We have beautiful churches, wonderful social Descent of the Holy Ghost. Acts. 2:1-41.
