Calvin Synod Herald, 2011 (112. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
2011-05-01 / 5-6. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD was NOT something "private," or confined to the immediate participants. The noise was heard all around, and it brought a crowd together. Second: let us see the significance of the Spirit of Pentecost: Again the Book of Acts we read that the significance of the presence of the Holy Spirit was revealed in the form of Tongues of Fire: This signifies the cleansing it brought. It reminds us of the awful presence of God. God wants us to be cleansed so that we can come near where He is! These "tongues of fire" were evident to the disciples for they have seen it burning over their heads, but they were evident to others, too. Each could see the other's glory, and not just his own. It reminds me of Isaiah 6. Third: the significance of these other tongues signifies sense of communication. This communication in my judgment is the reversal of Babel, where the language was confused. Here the languages were revealed, so each could hear the glorious things of God in their own language. But Pentecost was more than just an outward and visible signs. Pentecost was also a time when the promises of God were fulfilled. What were those promises: First: The mighty work of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus had promised, had now begun. The Holy Spirit became a Teacher: (John 14:26) “ He will TEACH you all things; and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. The Holy Spirit became the up-lifting power of Jesus: (John 15:26/ John 16:14) When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, He will bear witness of ME. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. The Holy Spirit became a power that convicted sinner of their need of Salvation: (John 16:8,9,10,11) And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; when the Church received the Spirit, (then) the world began to be convicted of sin! The Holy Spirit became not only a guiding spirit but also the Spirit of Action: (John 16:13) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide YOU into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. All these BEGAN to come to reality as soon as the disciples received the fullness of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Third: Pentecost is more than just history! With the arrival of the Holy Spirit the gift of God became an open secret. Jesus, who went away into heaven, is with His Church in the person of the Holy Spirit. He has come to abide in His disciples' hearts. With the arrival of the Holy Spirit God’s presence became an abiding reality. The abiding Reality of God’s presence is that: God made Himself at home in the human heart. The word "abiding" has various connotations: as,- constant, enduring, eternal, lasting, permanent. To "abide" also has the connotation of'being at home.' Of "living there!" Pentecost therefore means that Jesus is , at home with us! John 14:23 "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him." THAT is Pentecost! a. This abiding, so far as we are concerned is initiated by love for Jesus Christ: ("If anyone loves ME!") We do not receive the "abiding reality" if we do not love Jesus! b. Love is genuine when it involves a desire to please: ("If anyone loves Me he will keep my words.") c. Love for Jesus is returned: the Father responds when we seek to be like Jesus. ("My Father will love him") In our great Christian tradition we give great importance to the experience of heart holiness. We (have a clear 'formula' which we use: we) understand that consecration plus faith will bring the fullness of the Presence! And we dare not stop short of this experience. And because of this experience we must have the fullness of God! We must know the blessings with which He desires to bless us! But this experience is vitally connected with our Relationship - the way we think about God, and the way we act toward Him! It is my hope and prayer that we will fully experience all these gifts this Pentecost. S.M.T. Assistant Chief Elder of HRC Passaic, NJ Report Since our Chief Elder Kiss Bela is no longer amongst us, we accept his passing with sad heart, and remember him for all the works he did among us during his faithful five years as Chief Elder. Our sympathy to his family, we keep them in our prayers. We accomplished a lot last year in our Church with God’s help. I’m proud to belong to the Hungarian Reformed Church in Passaic, and to have Rev. Joseph Vásárhelyi for our Pastor. His sermons are touching our hearts every Sunday, and under his leadership our Church continues to show the message of love and hope in our community. God bless you and your family among us. We held all our functions and I thank everyone for their help, and support which they continue to show in order to survive and fulfill our duties and responsibilities. I wish God’s blessing on everyone and everything we do in the coming year. Frank Sera Assistant Chief Elder
