Pentecost

Acts 2: 1- 11

...there came the sound like the rush of a mighty wind...divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them....all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages....

Luke uses three images to describe the effect of the Holy Spirit....an audible and perceptible rush of wind, visible tongues of fire and the ability to speak in new languages. These are all outward signs of the inner changes that the Holy Spirit brought about in the disciples and in all those who today have been born of the Spirit.

Pentecost is derived from the Greek 'pentekoste', meaning fifty. It is the fiftieth day after Easter and it recalls the sending of the Spirit. When the Spirit comes into our lives, everything in us becomes transformed. For those of us who do not come from the charismatic or Pentecostal traditions, the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit often seems abstract. We know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit but we may not be experientially aware of the outworking of his presence. Perhaps the images used by Luke can help us appreciate the Spirit's work in our lives. The Spirit may come into our lives as quietly as a gentle breeze or with an irresistible force like the rush of a mighty wind. We must not try to limit the way in which the Spirit of God acts. Whichever way the Spirit comes we are moved to new and authentic life. The image of fire reminds us that the Holy Spirit purifies and renews....to burn away everything that hinders true life within us. Fire burns away the dross and at the same time rekindles within us the flame that may have burnt low. The new language we speak is uttered with enthusiasm.....proclaiming God's deeds of power in freedom, without fear of man (Acts 2: 11). We have the courage to speak meaningfully about our faith, to share that which moves our hearts and this will move others to ask and seek that which they see in our lives (2: 12).

As people refreshed, warmed, strengthened and enlightened by the Spirit, we grow more truly into the persons God intended us to be. As communities of faith, the church then becomes leaven for the world. May God continually renew us through the breath of his Spirit.