Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-05-01 / 5-6. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD THE PROMISE OF PENTECOST In a few Sundays the religious calendar will turn to Pentecost. The word “Pentecost” designates the 50th day after Passover, which in the Jewish religion was a Feast Day, known as the Feast of Weeks or Feast of Harvest. It was on this day, as we read in the Book of Acts, (chapter 2) that the Holy Spirit was poured out on 120 followers of Christ who were gathered in the same upper room in Jerusalem where perhaps Jesus spent His last supper with His disciples. It was on this day that the Church was bom. The Book of Acts, that records the early life of the church and perhaps the first sermon that Peter preached on that day, delivers the same message that first John the Baptist, later Jesus Himself taught about. In Peter’s sermon Acts 2:38-39 we read, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The Promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." In effect he said this outpouring of the Spirit is not a special blessing for a special few in a special age. IT IS FOR ALL who have truly repented and believed the Gospel. It is for all who have Found Remission of Sins in the Blood of the Lamb. The Real Question is not whether as a Christian you and I have a right to the gift of the Holy Spirit, but whether you and I have claimed that right and availed ourselves of this glorious promise??? Have we all been filled with the Holy Spirit? Many of us have allowed the Devil and some of our religious tradition to rob us of the power of God. Religious Tradition says the Gift of the Holy Spirit was for the Apostles, just to get the Chinch started, or, just for the early church, to help them win unbelievers to Christ. So where do stand today? I would dare to say that there are more unbelievers in the world today than there ever was. So we need the power of God today as much as ever!!! Peter said the promise is unto you -to all who were hearing his voice, and to your children, the next generation, and to all that are afar off - that’s throughout the ages, even unto the 21st century - to you and to me. Even for all whom the Lord shall call - that means for all who get saved and follow Christ. The promise of the Holy Spirit is for all people who receive the call to repentance. Since God is still calling men to unto Salvation, THE Victoria, Shelley, Richard, Nie, Jackie Visinski, Mark Stahlhammer, Joseph and Barbara Poruban (see article on page 2) PROMISE IS FOR NOW!!! Dr. John R. Rice, the famous fundamentalist Baptist preacher, said, “There is an experience after salvation, called the baptism with the Holy Ghost. But let me tell you all saved people in my judgment do have the Holy Spirit. When someone is saved, the Holy Spirit puts him or her into the body of Christ. But as we see today, church attendance is down, the work of the Church in helping the poor, or preaching the word of God and winning souls are not what they should be. We lack the power and the promise of that first Pentecost. What was the Promise? - It was the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh, both men and women. On the day of Pentecost, the crowd was amazed because of the miracle of speaking the Word of God to every men in their own language. They said, what is going on? Peter answered, this is what was spoken by the prophet, ,Joel 28, 29 "’in the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Who made the Promise? - God the Father made the promise through His Son, Jesus Christ, who said to them, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." At Pentecost this promise was fulfilled. Ten days after Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the blessed promise of the Father and those faithful ones who had obeyed and waited in the Upper Room were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter’s Sermon Declared, “This is it!!!” This is the fulfillment of the promise! The Biblical Record in the Book of Acts indicates that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the disciples, and other women and brethren received this promise of the Father. Acts Chapter 8 tells about a revival in Samaria where the word of God was preached and many believed and were baptized. Later the Apostles laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. In Acts 9 we read about Saul of Tarsus, and how he was saved on the road to Damascus, and how he was directed to meet three days later Ananias who laid hands on him and prayed for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10 we read about Cornelius and his whole household who sat and listened as Peter preached the Gospel unto them. While he was preaching, “the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word.” V. 45, “...on the Gentiles also was poured out the Gift of the Holy Ghost.” In Acts 19, Paul found certain disciples in Ephesus who didn’t know anything about the Holy Spirit. Paul laid hands on them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. What about you? Have you appropriated the promise? Have you truly experienced the power Pentecost? Have you ever received the Gift of the Holy Ghost? Remember what Peter said; “The Promise is for you” Let us not be satisfied until we receive the promise. Let us reach out with arms open wide in faith, and say, Lord, I take what you give, fill me with the Holy Spirit! SMT
