The Meaning of Pentecost: Part 2
The Meaning of Pentecost
Scripture Passage. Acts 2:1-18
III. THREE REASONS WHY PENTECOST WAS
NECESSARY
1. Theologically, Pentecost was necessary
in order to complete the divine activity in redemption. As we have noted
earlier, each Person of the Trinity had a unique responsibility in the work of
redemption (though it is also true that the Persons of the Godhead, being one,
have one will, and never is the smallest act done by one without full and
instant agreement of the other two). The Father planned, foreordained and
ordered the events that led to our redemption. Salvation originated here. God
the Son took on our nature and in that nature He fully met God’s just demands.
Thus, he was a sacrifice well-pleasing to the Father, and gave Himself to bear
the penalty for our sins and made atonement for our redemption. God the Holy
Ghost effectively applies the redemption wrought by Christ by regenerating,
sanctifying and making real to us all the benefits of redemption.
It
is important that we remember there is nothing which any person can add to the
finished work of Christ. When He said, “It is finished,” He literally meant
that what was required for man’s salvation was done. The Holy Ghost does not
add to the work of redemption. His work is to apply what Christ has wrought for
us. “He shall testify of me;” “He shall not speak of himself. . . he shall
glorify me.” But unless the Holy Ghost convicts, unless He applies the work of
redemption and sanctification, we would never be able to experience what
Christ has provided.
One’s
nearness to God depends entirely on his relationship to the Holy Ghost. A
saved Christian who has not yet received the baptism of the Spirit, is made
nigh by the work of the Spirit which works in him (Romans 8:9). Without the
blessed work of the Holy Ghost, we could not enjoy what Jesus has so graciously
and lovingly accomplished for us.
2. Historically, Pentecost was necessary
to provide a factual foundation for our faith. The great events which are vital
to our redemption are factually true, not, as some would have us believe,
idealistic myths which have no basis in fact. The crucifixion of Jesus is a
fact of history; so is the resurrection. In the same factual way, the event of
Pentecost is a historical fact. It happened, and if the Church is without
power, it is without excuse, because the Holy Ghost has come and He is
available through the factual event of Pentecost.
3.
Individually, Pentecost was necessary to assure God’s blessings to individual
believers. The gift of the Spirit is the key to all other gifts. A comparison
of Luke 11:13 and Matthew 7:11 shows that the gift of the Holy Ghost is the
gift which opens up the channel for all other gifts of “good things” from God.
In the first statement, Jesus promised the Holy Ghost, and in the second He
promised good things. Thus, the implication is that the Holy Ghost is necessary
and the way “which we may have all other things.” Wisdom, for example, is the
gift of the Holy Ghost (James 1:5); so is power (Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7);
likewise, faith, joy, peace, love, temperance (Galatians 5:22).
IV.
NOT ONLY AN HISTORICAL EVENT, BUT ALSO A VITAL EXPERIENCE
Just
as the advent of Christ was an historical event, so the advent of the Holy
Ghost was also historical. But neither the coming of Christ, nor the coming of
the Holy Ghost can have real meaning to the individual unless he appropriates
to himself what these events have provided. Each person must receive
individually the finished work of Christ; each believer must receive the
baptism of the Holy Ghost for himself. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians
5:18) is a command to be obeyed individually. How does one receive the Holy
Ghost? The formula is changeless:
(1) Regeneration. First, one must be a
Christian, for the Holy Ghost is not given to the world (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians
2:14), nor to the disobedient (Acts 5:32).
(2) Sanctification. There must be a clean
break with sin. The old sinful nature must be crucified before the new nature of
Christ can be fully expressed in one’s life (Romans 6:6; 8:2; etc.). And there
must be a full surrender of oneself to Christ as a living sacrifice (Romans
12:1, 2).
(3)
Prayer. When the heart and life are pure before God, the believer should then
ask God for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. “Ask, and it shall be given you. . .
. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how
much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?” (Luke 11:9, 13).
(4)
Faith. Having come to God for the fullness of His Spirit with pure hearts, and
having asked Him for the baptism of His Spirit, the believer needs to believe
that God’s promise is true, and then to accept the gift He offers. We have
already seen that the gift of the Holy Ghost is offered to all believers (Acts
2:39); indeed all are commanded to receive Him (Ephesians 5:18). Faith simply
takes these promises and commands at face value, and steps forward to claim
what is already on deposit in its name.
(5) Obedience. The Holy Ghost is given to
those who will be obedient and will allow Him to use them for God’s glory. If
one seeks the baptism of the Spirit for selfish reasons, as did Simon the
Sorcerer, God will reject both him and his request (Acts 8:18-23). God gives
the Holy Ghost to the obedient (Acts 5:32).
(6)
Receive. The Holy Ghost is a gift, and all God’s children need do is to take
it. Some seem to feel that it is necessary to “tarry” for a period of time, but
the only time this kind of tarrying was ever required in Scripture was prior to
the first outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. After that, the order has been
to “receive” the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17; 10:47; 19:2; etc.).
The
reasons we need the fullness of the Spirit are very many. In addition to those
which have been dealt with already, we should be reminded that His fullness is
necessary in order that the Word might be effectively preached (Acts 2:41; 4:4;
John 16:8); that the Church may have boldness (Acts 4:31); that the individual
might have assurance of being saved (Romans 8:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23), of
being fruitful (John 15:8, 16), and of having power with God (Luke 24:49; Acts
1:8).
When
we, individually and collectively, yield ourselves to the blessed influence and
control of the Holy Ghost, we will be able to face this world with energy that
is not our own, we will never have to back down in the face of opposing forces,
for we have within us the very Spirit of the Living God. He wants to be our
sufficiency in every task we undertake, and He can do anything but fail.
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And Tell Someone What Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
If you enjoyed this blogpost and believe some else can be helped and may be blessed pass it along:
If you have a prayer request or have questions that need clarification please contact me at: neverstoppraying8@gmail.com
Yes...we have to yield collectively too which is why unity is so important.
ReplyDelete