The Church’s Birthday

This Sunday (June 9) is Pentecost Sunday 2019.  Pentecost in Acts 2 was the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus and the tenth day from the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father.  Those were two HUGE days in the lives of the disciples followed by the HUGE day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit moved into their lives taking up permanent residence as foretold by Jesus (John 14:16 and Acts 1:8).  And let me suggest that that Pentecost then is yet HUGE today – but often overlooked or unappreciated.

Some thoughts:

First, a review of that first Pentecost.  Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the feast of weeks or Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on them.  When in the temple they were able to communicate with pilgrims from all over the world in their native tongue.  It was the birthday of a new era.  It was the birthday of the called out assembly comprised mostly of Gentiles but also including Jews – all those who placed their faith in the crucified, buried, risen, and ascended Jesus born of Mary in Bethlehem, reared in Nazareth, who lived a sinless life, and was punished by God for their sins.  It was the birthday of the church!

On that day, in response to questions and challenges to those 12 from Galilee speaking in foreign languages on temple mount (such was a sign of God’s judgment – no one dared speak another language in the temple, Deut. 28:49, Is. 28:11, Zeph. 3:9. What was happening?), Peter, moved and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, loudly and firmly declared about Jesus and God’s salvation – Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to  the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

And the pilgrims and locals responded…

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers… 47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

That Pentecost was the birthing of the Church of Jesus Christ which is the will of Jesus, the work of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, the love of Jesus, the force for good on earth, the counter power to governments, the guardian of the Word, the voice of help for men, women, marriages, and families, the light in the dark, and on and on.  The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:23), the building on Christ (Eph. 2:21), the brotherhood of Christ (Eph. 3:15), the “business” of Christ (Eph. 4:12), the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25), and the battalion of Christ (Eph. 6:10).   The church is His design, build, and habitation!

The church is a HUGE player today!  If the “church” in Sodom had been more numerous or salty or bright (Matt. 5:13-14), the destruction of Sodom would have been, at least, delayed.  The church is a HUGE player in the world, in our country, and in our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and families.  It is the reservoir of God’s truth, power, and wisdom.

As the church is the work of Jesus and the Spirit (Matt. 16:18, I Cor. 12:13) and the love of Jesus (John 13:1), it MUST be our work and love as well!