PENTECOST POWER BLAST!

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8, KJV).

ABSTRACT

This article delves into the foundational promises God made to His early church, the transformative journey from sorrow to joy in preparation, the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the remarkable results in mission and ministry, and the reflections on divine love alongside our responsibilities. Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) declares, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Acts 4:33 (KJV) affirms, “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory (The Acts of the Apostles, 9, 1911). I saw that if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a terror to her enemies (Early Writings, 227, 1882). These elements underscore God’s unwavering commitment to empower His people for mission, calling us to embrace both His love and our role in sharing it.

PROMISE DELIVERED!

The promise of God to the early church was pivotal in establishing their mission and ministry. Isaiah 55:10-11 (KJV) states, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Similarly, Joel 2:23 (KJV) proclaims, “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” These verses articulate the assurance that God’s Word would not return void and that He would provide abundant rain, both literal and spiritual, to bless His people. Scripture echoes this truth in Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (KJV), “And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.” James 5:7 (KJV) further supports with, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” The former rain was given at the commencement of the gospel in the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. But near the close of earth’s harvest a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest ‘in the time of the latter rain’ (The Acts of the Apostles, 55, 1911). The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the ‘former rain,’ and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 21, 1904). This fulfillment signified God’s faithfulness and commitment to equipping His church to carry forward His gospel. This divine outpouring reassured the disciples of God’s ongoing presence and power, enabling them to boldly proclaim His message to a spiritually thirsty world. It also demonstrated God’s enduring love in preparing His people for the work of salvation, ensuring that they were not left to labor in their own strength but empowered by His Spirit. But how did the early church navigate experiences of sorrow and joy that readied them for such a mission?

SORROW SURMOUNTED!

The journey of the early church was marked by experiences of sorrow and joy that prepared them for their mission. Jesus, in John 16:20-22 (KJV), explained, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” Their sorrow was temporary, as Hosea 6:2 (KJV) suggests, “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” During this time, the disciples prayed fervently in Jesus’ name, as described in John 16:24 (KJV), “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”Scripture echoes this truth in Psalm 30:5 (KJV), “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Isaiah 61:3 (KJV) further supports with, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” With a holy sadness Jesus comforted and cheered the angels and informed them that hereafter those whom He should redeem would be with Him, and that by His death He should ransom many and destroy him who had the power of death (Early Writings, 149, 1882). I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! (Early Writings, 71, 1882). Sr. White observes, “The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship” (The Acts of the Apostles, 37, 1911). This period of intense reflection and prayer deepened their spiritual dependence on God, enabling them to carry His gospel to the world with conviction and clarity. Their unity and humility exemplified the qualities required to fulfill God’s work, highlighting their reliance on divine guidance rather than human strength. But what marked the fulfillment of their prayers through the dramatic outpouring at Pentecost?

SPIRIT DESCENDS!

The fulfillment of their prayers came through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:1-4 (KJV): “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” This event demonstrated God’s response to the disciples’ earnest prayers and fulfilled prophecies such as those in Hosea 6:3 (KJV): “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth,” and Zechariah 10:1 (KJV): “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Scripture echoes this truth in Joel 2:28-29 (KJV), “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” Acts 1:8 (KJV) further supports with, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting (The Acts of the Apostles, 35, 1911). As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 506, 1923). Sr. White elaborates, “The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fulness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church” (The Acts of the Apostles, 38, 1911). This empowerment showed God’s intention to fulfill His promise to equip the church for the task of proclaiming salvation, reinforcing His love through divine provision and direction. But how did this empowerment yield remarkable results in the disciples’ preaching and the growth of the early church?

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The results of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment were remarkable, as the disciples preached the gospel with unprecedented success. Acts 2:37-41 (KJV) records, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Scripture echoes this truth in Acts 2:47 (KJV), “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 5:42 (KJV) further supports with, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the utmost bounds of the inhabited world. The hearts of the disciples were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth (The Review and Herald, April 30, 1908). The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service (The Acts of the Apostles, 49, 1911). Sr. White adds, “So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His Spirit” (The Great Controversy, 611, 1911). Acts 4:4 (KJV) adds, “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” These gifts, as noted in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, demonstrate God’s continued provision for His church. Through the Holy Spirit, the early church flourished, fulfilling its mission with power and purpose, reflecting God’s love and faithfulness. But what do these events reveal about God’s love and our responsibilities to Him and our neighbor?

LOVE REVEALED!

These events reflect God’s love by revealing His desire to empower us to share His message of salvation. God’s provision of the Holy Spirit demonstrates His grace and willingness to guide and sustain His people. The children of God are called to be representatives of Christ, showing forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has revealed to us the true character of the Father, so we are to reveal Christ to a world that does not know His tender, pitying love (Steps to Christ, 115, 1892). Faith is trusting God–believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good. Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they need to be studied together. In the prayer of faith there is a divine science; it is a science that everyone who would make his lifework a success must understand (Education, 253, 1903). Scripture echoes this truth in John 13:34-35 (KJV), “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV) further supports with, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Sr. White notes, “It is the first step in the path of obedience and light” (Steps to Christ, 101, 1892). Our responsibility to God is to remain faithful stewards of His Word, seeking His guidance through prayer and study, while our responsibility to our neighbor is to share His love, serve with humility, and exemplify Christ-like character (Ministry of Healing, 143, 1905). In doing so, we reflect God’s love to others and help fulfill His purpose of bringing salvation to all mankind.

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PENTECOST POWER BLAST!

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