Why does Pentecost matter? (4) - Final

Pentecost matters, because the complete ministry of the Church was guaranteed on Pentecost.

On Pentecost the Holy Spirit empowered the first disciples and formed them into the Church of Christ, which still is central to God’s work in the world. They proclaimed God’s Good News in many languages on Pentecost day to demonstrate that there would be no doubt in anybody’s mind that the Church, which is an instrument in God’s hand, in its purest form is multicultural and therefore linguistically, culturally and racially inclusive.

Pentecost guarantees a complete ministry…
On Pentecost Peter preached a sermon to also help the people understand that the Holy Spirit was given to all who turned from their sin and turned to God through Jesus (Acts 2:38). The “text” of his sermon was Joel 2: 28 – 29: ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants –men and women alike– and they will prophesy.”

This was a turning point in God’s work on earth. God began to do what he had promised through many centuries and generations, that all God’s children will be equally involved in his complete, comprehensive ministry in this world. Every category of people would now be called to be God’s servants in his work.

In the Old Covenant the Holy Spirit was poured out on prophets, priests, and kings. In the New Covenant, as was promised through the Old Testament prophets, the Holy Spirit dwells in “all people.” Everyone who shared the experience of receiving God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, is empowered to serve in the Church, irrespective of class, culture, gender or age. In the new covenant, in the Church of our Lord, all believers would be priests of God, doing his work on earth.

The church of Jesus Christ is God’s strategy to involve every believer, and every member of the Body to contribute to the work and mission of the Church (Eph 4:11-16).

The ministry of God’s Church is being accomplished when each Christian understands God’s purpose for him/her in his work. Everyone receives gifts according to God’s grace and all the gifts used as a body, completes God’s work in the world. Pentecost guarantees this complete ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit that works through every believer.

I am therefore challenged with the question whether I am exercising the gifts of the Spirit in my life. Do I serve God wholeheartedly according to his purpose for my life and according to the gifts the Lord gave me through his Spirit? Is this a time to renew my commitment to fulfilling my unique role in the ministry of God’s people in the world?

Pentecost gives us a season to recommit ourselves to be prepared and encouraged for our service to God. When we desire this and open up our hearts, souls and minds, the Holy Spirit will use the church of Jesus Christ for God’s complete mission and purpose in the world.