Pentecost Coming!

May 09, 2016 Monday Message:

“When the holy day of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, the believers were gathered together in one place.” Acts 2:1

This coming Sunday, May 15, is celebrated in many churches as “Pentecost.” Pentecost is the Greek name for the Hebrew “Shavuot” or “Shavuous.” In the Anglican (Episcopal) church, it’s called “Whitsunday.” The Hebrew people were celebrating God giving them the Law through Moses on Mt. Sinai.

But the day has a much different meaning for Christians. First, this is the day when the gathered believers received the gift of the Holy Spirit. There was a mighty sound, like a giant wind, and little flickering flames descended from heaven and landed on each person. There was no mistaking it – no one could miss what was happening. Many churches nowadays use red paraments on their altars, wear red clothing that day and sing, “Send the Fire!”

Next, everyone in Jerusalem heard that sound of mighty wind, and gathered to see what was taking place. Peter then preached the first large-scale Christian “Repent-and-Return” message to the crowd, and many were persuaded. 3,000 were baptized and added to their number that day, so we now celebrate Pentecost as the “Birth of the Church.”

But remember, the first step in that first Pentecost is that the believers were all gathered in one place. They actually got out of bed, got dressed, and went to worship and pray with their brothers and sisters – kind of like us going to church. They were all of one mind, on the same page, shared the same intents and purposes. And look what happened!

So following the example of the early church, I encourage each one of us to leap out of bed next Sunday morning, don something red, and go join your brothers and sisters in worship and prayer. Who knows what could happen next? Send the Fire!

Norton Lawellin

Join us for worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 15. Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10 am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. We’ll look into the Birth of the Church on that first day of Pentecost as it happened in Acts Ch. 2. See you at church!