Experience Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday is a celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church. John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost where Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Jesus confirmed this prophesy with the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples in John 14:26. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for they would receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:3-8). After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the men returned to Jerusalem and joined together in prayer in an upper room.

On the Day of Pentecost, just as promised, a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit. After the fall of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not stay in the upper room. They burst out telling the world of their experience. This was the beginning of the Church as we know it. Just as those filled with the Spirit in the Upper Room noised abroad their experience we must share with people the delivering saving power of Jesus Christ. It is my desire that everyone I meet will experience Pentecost.

I am happy to report that the experience of Pentecost was not just for those who tarried in the upper room. Rather is promised for us today according to Acts 2:39. CUPC is experiencing the outpouring of the Spirit. Pentecost is alive and well. The past couple of weeks we have baptized 50 persons and have witnessed 20 or more persons receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This coming Saturday we will host a picnic in one of our local parks. We plan to witness an outpouring of God’s Spirit in the park. Additionally, we plan to baptize people in the name of Jesus Christ. Additionally, our church is working towards a powerful Pentecost Sunday May 31, 2009.