Hello to our Spirit Filled Family, where on this coming Lord's Day we will celebrate PENTECOST SUNDAY.
What I celebrate, is what happened subsequent to what took place on the Day of Pentecost. It marks the moment when the followers of Jesus moved from fear to boldness. It marks the beginning of the spread of the Christian message.
Acts 1:8 is the given model for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and to the present day:
It shows that the mission of Jesus for Acts 2 is not just a record of an event. It explains how everything began and what the Lord continued, through His followers.
When I use the term subsequent to the Day of Pentecost, I would call your attention to Acts 8,10, &19 as reference to what I am writing. Take a look with me at Acts 19, to help you understand the word subsequent to:
What happened on Pentecost is recorded in Acts 2, and it marks one of the supernatural and important moments in Christianity. It is the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus and changed everything. This happened just as Jesus said it would take place.
I have pieced together a few different translations of this event to help us understand how this all took place. It took place as the result of the disciples obedience and obedience is still key to receiving and becoming all that God has for us. Take a look at what Doctor Luke said in regard to what would happen subsequent to our obedience:
Can you imagine what the disciples were thinking as they were gathered together in the Upper Room? They were waiting just as Jesus had instructed them; the Bible says in "one mind and one place." Then suddenly, there was a sound like a rushing mighty wind. (On a personal note, I was speaking one week day morning in South Africa, when a mighty wind slammed the open doors of the sanctuary shut, the doors were eighteen foot tall and five foot wide. One of the pastors ran to see what was happening outside, and there was not a sign of the wind blowing the trees. They were as still as a sleeping baby.) It was a suddenly and the church was filled with the power and glory of God, many wonderful things took place subsequently.) It filled the entire place where they were sitting. What looked like tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, they began to speak in different languages. This was not random speech. People from many nations were in Jerusalem at that time, and each one heard the disciples speaking in their own language. They were amazed and confused. Some wondered what it meant. Others mocked and dismissed it.
Then Peter stood up.
This is important. Peter, who had earlier denied Jesus, now spoke boldly. He explained that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of prophecy. He spoke about Jesus, His death, and His resurrection. He called people to repent and believe.
The result was immediate.
About three thousand people accepted the message that day. This was not a slow beginning. It was a powerful start. To this I would call to mind Zechariah 4:10…
"The Seven eyes of God range about all over the earth," in other words, GOD DOESN'T MISS A THING and He was right in the middle of all this for without the Promise of the Father, the Promised Holy Spirit, there would be no Pentecost (Fifty Days After; Subsequent, to the Resurrection of Jesus and Ascent to the Fathers right hand, there to make intercession for us).
Join us on this Memorial Weekend, I will be asking, once again, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"
I believe in you and I believe the Holy Ghost is for you today.
Pastor Cleddie
What I celebrate, is what happened subsequent to what took place on the Day of Pentecost. It marks the moment when the followers of Jesus moved from fear to boldness. It marks the beginning of the spread of the Christian message.
Acts 1:8 is the given model for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and to the present day:
"But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth".
It shows that the mission of Jesus for Acts 2 is not just a record of an event. It explains how everything began and what the Lord continued, through His followers.
When I use the term subsequent to the Day of Pentecost, I would call your attention to Acts 8,10, &19 as reference to what I am writing. Take a look with me at Acts 19, to help you understand the word subsequent to:
"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper inland districts and came down to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3 And he asked, Into what [baptism] then were you baptized? They said, Into John's baptism.
And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, continually telling the people that they should believe in the One Who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus [having a conviction full of joyful trust that He is Christ, the Messiah, and being obedient to Him]. 5 On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And as Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in [foreign, unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve of them in all."
What happened on Pentecost is recorded in Acts 2, and it marks one of the supernatural and important moments in Christianity. It is the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus and changed everything. This happened just as Jesus said it would take place.
I have pieced together a few different translations of this event to help us understand how this all took place. It took place as the result of the disciples obedience and obedience is still key to receiving and becoming all that God has for us. Take a look at what Doctor Luke said in regard to what would happen subsequent to our obedience:
"You are eye-witnesses of these things. Now I hand over to you the command of my Father. Stay in the city, then, until you are clothed with power from on high." (LK 24:49, PH)
"Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high." (LK 24:49, AMP)
"He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations--starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high." (LK 24:49, MSG)
Can you imagine what the disciples were thinking as they were gathered together in the Upper Room? They were waiting just as Jesus had instructed them; the Bible says in "one mind and one place." Then suddenly, there was a sound like a rushing mighty wind. (On a personal note, I was speaking one week day morning in South Africa, when a mighty wind slammed the open doors of the sanctuary shut, the doors were eighteen foot tall and five foot wide. One of the pastors ran to see what was happening outside, and there was not a sign of the wind blowing the trees. They were as still as a sleeping baby.) It was a suddenly and the church was filled with the power and glory of God, many wonderful things took place subsequently.) It filled the entire place where they were sitting. What looked like tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, they began to speak in different languages. This was not random speech. People from many nations were in Jerusalem at that time, and each one heard the disciples speaking in their own language. They were amazed and confused. Some wondered what it meant. Others mocked and dismissed it.
Then Peter stood up.
This is important. Peter, who had earlier denied Jesus, now spoke boldly. He explained that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of prophecy. He spoke about Jesus, His death, and His resurrection. He called people to repent and believe.
The result was immediate.
About three thousand people accepted the message that day. This was not a slow beginning. It was a powerful start. To this I would call to mind Zechariah 4:10…
"The Seven eyes of God range about all over the earth," in other words, GOD DOESN'T MISS A THING and He was right in the middle of all this for without the Promise of the Father, the Promised Holy Spirit, there would be no Pentecost (Fifty Days After; Subsequent, to the Resurrection of Jesus and Ascent to the Fathers right hand, there to make intercession for us).
Join us on this Memorial Weekend, I will be asking, once again, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"
I believe in you and I believe the Holy Ghost is for you today.
Pastor Cleddie