Churches that are alive in Christ will strive to grow in the Spirit and power of God. The essence of Pentecost is to reveal that God gives and fills those who are in Christ with His Holy Spirit. Acts 2:39 - For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our Lord shall call. The followings are discussed: Baptism in the Holy Spirit Foretold; Baptism in the Spirit Received, Spirit Baptism for All Believers.
Baptism in the Spirit Foretold: Jesus had told disciples that he would send Holy Spirit who would enable them and his followers to go into the world, preach the gospel with boldness and win souls to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:4-5). He also gave specific instructions concerning when, where and how believers could receive Holy Spirit baptism which they needed to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins, and harvest souls to the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit baptism would be experienced as described in the Old Testament (Joel 2: 28-29) and would be required for the service that would bring about redemption and salvation.
God sent His Spirit to open our minds to His plan for the eternal life and give the awareness about Christ's future rule (Acts 1:6-8 ). Jesus had said that believers would receive the power when Holy Spirit came upon them. The spiritual power can't be attributed to personal merit; it comes from God and enables believers to do His service. God would also empower believers who have received His Spirit to witness for Him as the One True God and declare the good news of His salvation through Christ to all people.
The Holy Spirit Baptism was received as promised by Jesus and its coincidence with the day of the Pentecost, one of the main harvest feasts (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacle) prescribed by the Law points to harvest of souls as the firstfruits of spiritual resurrection. Harvest of souls started on the Day of Pentecost with 120 believers who had obeyed Christ's command and gathered for prayer (Acts 2:1-4). The gathering that looked like ordinary setting suddenly changed to a powerful spiritual encounter where the power of God was mightily manifested. The power of God came with three signs - strong wind, fire and speaking in tongues during the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
People who had come from far and near to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost were surprised by the supernatural event which showed manifestation of the power of Holy Spirit among the believers. The new Pentecost had started with believers who were endued with the power to proclaim the gospel and bring others to the saving faith in Christ (Acts 2:5-13). The Holy Spirit baptism which started on the day of Pentecost reminds Christians of the need to seek the power of Holy Spirit, witness for Christ and preach the kingdom of God.
Spirit Baptism for All Believers: Baptism and the gifts of Holy Spirit to all believers were a fulfilment of the old testament prophecy. Christ's disciples had been hiding to avoid persecution, but when the Spirit had come upon them, they spoke bodly concerning outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days (Acts 2:14-18). It's through the power of Holy Spirit that the gospel can be preached in all places and those who believe and call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Peter declared the need for repentance and to seek forgiveness as the first step to experience spiritual transformation. Thereafter the people would be baptised in water and the Holy Spirit to become the firstfruits of harvest of souls. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an important part of Christian life and the requirement to faithfully do the service of God and live righteously (Galatians 5:22-26) . Lesson texts: Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-39.
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