Calvin Synod Herald, 2011 (112. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)

2011-05-01 / 5-6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

3

Pentecost 2011

And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." Acts 2:38-39

Brothers and Sisters in Calvin Synod!

Pentecost is the Christian holiday of the fulfillment of God’s promises given in the Old Testament, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on allflesh; your sons and

your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. ” Joel 2:28 Jesus repeated the God given promise before his death and resurrection, "And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you ”. John 14:16-17.

The Jewish holiday, Passover, celebrated God’s act of saving His people from Egyptian slavery. The New Testament Pentecost celebrates the birth of the Christian church, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the new creation of human lives cleansed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We live in this new era of God’s restoring acts and we are called to work for the Kingdom of God.

At the 2004 World Alliance of the Reformed Churches General Council meeting in Ghana, West Africa, Choan-Sen Song, the president of WARC called upon the members of the Reformed churches to study and be aware of the work of the Holy Spirit in our time. On the Uniting Meeting of the Word Communion of Reformed Churches in Grand Rapids MI in 2010, the same sentiment was emphasized anew. As members of the Reformed Church, we inherited the clarity of doctrine, the importance of the authority of the Bible, and all the blessings of the Reformation. But the work of the Holy Spirit is promised to the Church of every age and to those who believe and pray for His presence and guidance. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit is for the up building of the Body of Christ - the Church. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ’s saving acts of death and resurrection and makes us aware of the sanctity of life of God’s creation, nature, and restores us to be in harmony with God’s plan of salvation. With our disobedience and sin, we disappoint the Holy Spirit. But "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Matthew 12:32 The first Pentecost united many people with different tongues and cultures into one body of believers and followers of Jesus Christ. At Pentecost, the preaching moved the believers to repent from their sins and the Holy Spirit sealed the promises of God’s assured presence in a new way, the indwelling Spirit of God. Pentecost

teaches us to repent from our sins and to pray for the presence of the Spirit of God in our lives. The gifts of the Spirit will bear spiritual fruits which God promised to those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, and who believe Jesus’ words, "These things 1 have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ” John 14:25-26 Come, Holy Spirit, restore and sanctify our lives and the Universal Church of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings to all of You.

The Rt. Rev. Béla Póznán, Bishop of Calvin Synod

Are You Changing the World or is the World Changing You?

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:1 9.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2.

In June, parents and young people are equally happy that Graduation has finally arrived. The sweet fruits of hard work of many years of study became tangible when the diplomas are finally given out. Graduation parties, summer vacation or promising new jobs follow the final year of school. When the parents are proud of their children's achievement and youngsters are overwhelmed with joy that they have made it, is there a room in our hearts for thankfulness and praising the Lord?

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