Celebrate The Church !!!
“The Birthday of the Church”
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place” Acts 2:1
By: Rev. dan Minor
Everyone loves a party. We celebrate births, graduations, championships, engagements, marriages, promotions and retirements. As believers we celebrate the presence of our living Savior every day. We know this celebration will continue in the next life.
In the history of the church, Pentecost Sunday is known as the Birthday of the church. The church was born out of a need to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ following his ascension. Before he left this earth, Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).
That promise was gloriously fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost ( A Jewish agricultural holiday) when many people were gathered together in one place. The great crowd included the original disciples and “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). The word Pentecost means “50th”, meaning the 50th day after our Lord’s resurrection.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came with the great power like “the sound of a mighty wind and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2-4). And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Three thousand persons repented, believed and were baptized with water (Acts 2:41). The disciples were transformed from timid followers to flaming witnesses to our living Lord. The church was launched and quickly spread throughout the whole Mediterranean basin.
Birthdays call for a celebration. First, we can celebrate the gift of the holy spirit which God has promised to all who believe (John 14:26; 16:8). Second, we can be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Third, we can celebrate the Holy Spirit by allowing ourselves to be vessels of God’s love by living at peace with others in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3).
The best way to celebrate the Birthday of the Church is to stay connected to Jesus Christ (John 15:5), to live in the Spirit (Romans 8:11), to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:13, 14), to pray in the Spirit (Romans 8:26) and to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8), The body of Christ (Church) is as strong as her members.
With that I would like to say, Happy Birthday Church!
Dear Lord, Fill me with your Holy Spirit and use me in Your service. In Your strong name, Amen!
