This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost. On this day, we remember the historic event recorded in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power and rested on 120 disciples who were gathered in the upper room praying together in one accord. They were so overwhelmed by the presence of God and the Holy Spirit that the Jews around them thought they were drunk. But Peter stood to explain, “These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!” (Acts 2:15)
Peter went on to say from verses 16 to 21, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
So what took place at Pentecost?
1. This is that: Empowerment of All Believers
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon certain individuals who had been chosen to carry out a supernatural task for God. However, in the New Testament, this empowerment comes upon “all flesh” among the people of God. This means that every believer in the New Testament has the power to move in the supernatural – prophesying, healing the sick, casting out demons, and performing signs and wonders. This Pentecost Sunday, you too can receive the power of God to do the supernatural work of God.
2. This is that: Explosion of World Evangelism
The empowerment of all believers is for the sole purpose of world evangelisation. As Acts 2:21 says, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The power of God is available to every believer. Today, you can receive it to become an effective disciple-maker in fulfilling the Great Commission!
- Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong