Issue 23 - June 2006
Pentecost
Michael A. Verdicchio

There won’t be any parades. You probably won’t get any cards or exchange any gifts. Don’t expect any big sales events in conjunction with this special day. In fact you won’t even find it on most calendars.

I am talking about remembering the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts, chapter 2.

The birth of Jesus Christ, his death, and his resurrection were all monumental events in God’s plan for a savior and the redemption of mankind. Those events are remembered and recognized. But it seems very few Christians remember Pentecost, and even fewer know the significance of that great day.

God’s design and purpose for human beings was that they would be three-part beings with body, soul, and spirit. Back in Genesis that’s how things started. The spirit part of man, the spirit of God that God gave to Adam and Eve, was their connection with God. The spirit of God they had enabled them to have a close, personal, working relationship with God. When they fell, they lost the spirit that God gave them. They were left with only body and soul. As far as God’s design and purpose, they were now incomplete, lacking the most important part, the spirit of God.

God’s plan in the redemption and salvation of mankind was for mankind to once again have the spirit of God. By Jesus Christ’s completed work, it was accomplished. The day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 marked the start of the spirit of God being now available for anyone who wanted it. It was the beginning of something great. In fact, that day of Pentecost was the greatest day to this point in the history of mankind in God’s plan for salvation and redemption.

The fall in the Garden of Eden was the worst and most catastrophic event for mankind that has ever happened. Any and all disasters, throughout all history combined are a drop in the ocean compared to what happened to mankind when Adam and Eve fell.

But the day of Pentecost that is recorded in Acts 2 was the greatest day thus far in the history of mankind. On that day, the spirit of God was freely made available to anyone who wanted to receive it. Eternal life for any and all became available. Becoming a child of God by way of the new birth became available. The Apostle Peter would later refer to that day as, “the beginning.”

Far too many Christians are ignorant of the great significance of Pentecost because they do not understand what happened with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In not understanding that, they fail to realize all of what Jesus Christ accomplished for mankind. And, as a result, they just do not see what really began on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4:

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.
On that great day of Pentecost, God’s gift of holy spirit, the spirit of God, was freely made available for all people. It was now available for anyone to get born again and to manifest all nine manifestations of God’s gift of holy spirit.
Acts 2:38 and 39:

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.
This year, Pentecost is Sunday June 4th. And although it is really wonderful to remember that day, we really don’t need a special day once a year to celebrate. We can celebrate and remember that great every day by manifesting the spirit of God!

Happy Pentecost!