Empowered by the Holy Spirit

The celebration of Pentecost was last Sunday, and I felt it was quite appropriate at this time for me to remember being empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Just in case you don’t know the significance of Pentecost, I went searching to help find a good definition. And one of the best descriptions I read is found in Britannica.com.

Pentecost, (Pentecost from Greek pentecostē, “50th day”), major festival in the Christian church, celebrated on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2), and it marks the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world.

The Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) was primarily a thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, but it was later associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The church’s transformation of the Jewish feast to a Christian festival was thus related to the belief that the gift of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus was the firstfruits of a new dispensation that fulfilled and succeeded the old dispensation of the Law.

When the Apostles and the others with them received the gift of the Holy Spirit during the Jewish feast of Pentecost people from different lands could hear their own language. They were amazed how these disciples could be speaking in their own tongue, each one from a different nation. They thought these followers of Jesus must have been indulging in some sweet wine. But they weren’t. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in different languages. Then Peter stood up and preached his first sermon about Jesus Christ in front of this large audience. This man who denied Jesus three times was now boldly declaring Jesus Christ was Lord and was crucified and risen. His speech pierced the hearts of its hearers and three thousand believed what Peter said and were baptized. The Holy Spirit did a mighty work through Peter that day.  And since that time when the Apostles and disciples received the Holy Spirit, the Great commission of Christ began and believers have been going to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And also, to teach the disciples to obey all Jesus commanded. It is a wonderful mission, but it can be dangerous and scary sometimes. Therefore, it is necessary to be led by the Holy Spirit.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8

Jesus told His disciples that when they received the power of the Holy Spirit, they would be His witnesses in the remotest parts of the earth. We all need the Holy Spirit’s power to witness about Jesus. At least I know I do because as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16 a wide door for effective service was open to him, and there were many adversaries. I have been experiencing more opposition lately as I feel that I am doing more impactful ministry for Christ. I have heard my neighbor complaining about my prayers and Bible Studies on Zoom during the day and he has done some things in retaliation against me which are more of a bother to the other neighbors than me. I know Jesus’ words are proving true and I praise God that I have the privilege for suffering for His sake even though it is not easy. But I also know I need the Holy Spirit’s power to remain firm and immovable in my faith. Last week, I had to pray more because I had an extra meeting with missionaries, and I was also asked to do the opening prayer for my Church’s women’s meeting in Jamaica on Zoom.  I knew I had to do both boldly and not shrink back from praying in both gatherings. I feel like they were both a test of my resolve. I wasn’t going to shout my prayers, but I had to pray no matter who heard and did not like it.  Many missionaries and Christians throughout the world have gone through similar situations. We all need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit not to shrink back in fear of man. Many Christians face persecution and even death for their faith, but they don’t lose their faith as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 1 Peter 5:6-9

And although we have an adversary, we have an Advocate who is our Helper. He is the Holy Spirit. He empowers us, so we don’t have to be afraid and no matter what is happening – fires, floods, earthquakes or war, we can have the peace of God because of Him.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:26-27