The Feast of The Pentecost

 

Sunday, November 19, 2006

The Feast of The Pentecost

 

“But the helper of the holy spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you"           

  (John 14:26)

 

 

 

The church celebrates the feast of the Pentecost, the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. This happened fifty days after the Lord Jesus had risen which is ten days after his Ascension to the Heavens. Pentecost happened in the upper room of St Mark's house. This is considered the first church in history. According to the Lord's promise, "… it is to your advantage that I go away, the helper will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)

 

They were all gathered praying with one accord in one place. (Acts 2: 2-4)  "… Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them forked tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance."

 

That is what happened in the past that they spoke in different languages. As for today, the Holy Spirit, grants gifts to the faithful, but not in the form of speaking in tongues. The reason is the change that happened between then and now. The church at that time was in one place, speaking with one language. So it was necessary to know other languages to be able to preach in the lord's name to all nations. As for today the Church has spread all over the world and instead of speaking with other tongues, the Holy Spirit grants life to all our senses and members of our body.

 

 

Why couldn't the Holy Spirit come until the Ascension of                                                                                                                                                        the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

It was necessary to the Lord to part from the disciples because he wanted to change their love, from his humanity to his divinity. The Lord wanted them to become spiritual.

    He was absent from them with his humanity for ten days. During this period they felt their weakness and realized that the one they lost was not an ordinary person. When the Holy Spirit descended on them, they were given a great divine gift and became sure that nothing is possible without God.

 

Who is the Holy Spirit?

 

He is the spirit of God, one of the Holy Trinity. He is called Spirit because it is the spring of life which is different from the soul. The soul dies by the death of the body, as in the case of the birds and animals who do not have a spirit, but each human being has a spirit, which is the eternal part that does not suffer death.

     The holy spirit appeared in two forms, either like a dove or as fire. The holy spirit is eternal as God was never without the spirit at any time. So it is eternal as the father and the son. The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit was also confirmed by the Lord saying to His disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."            (Matt 28:19)   

 

 

When does the Holy Spirit descend on the faithful?

 

That happens through the Holy Myron immediately after baptism. After all the prayers, the priest makes the sign of the Cross 36 times blessing 36 parts of the body of the one baptized. Then the Holy Spirit descends on this person who becomes a Christian. Even if it happened that this person changed his religion or did not practice Christianity, the Holy Spirit remains in him, but does not work in him.

 

What is the Work of the Holy Spirit.

 

All the gifts granted to us by the Holy Spirit aim at one thing: OUR SALVATION.

 

What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Gal 5: 22-23)

 

What are the symbols of the Holy Spirit?

 

Dove – Water – Fire – Oil – Wind.

 

How does the Holy Spirit work?

 

Convicts me… when I sin ( John 16: 8-11 )

Guides me… when I stray ( John 16: 13 )

Comforts me … when in tribulation ( John 14: 26 )

Fills me… when I ask and speak ( Luke 11 )

Fruitful… if I abide in him ( John 15: 7-8 )