This Sunday, May 31, 2020, is Pentecost Sunday — the day we remember the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.
We need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our churches today.
As amazing as Jesus’ earthly ministry was, the Church would not be alive today if it weren’t for the Holy Spirit’s coming. As irreplaceable as Jesus’ crucifixion was, we would not be in Christ today if it weren’t for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As powerful as the resurrection of the Son of God was, most of the world would never know about God’s love if it weren’t for the advent of the Holy Spirit.
Peter knew the Old Testament promises about the Holy Spirit’s coming. He knew that God’s people would receive supernatural abilities for God when the Spirit was poured out. The apostle quotes one of these prophecies (Joel 2:28-32) in his first public message on Pentecost.
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’”
— Acts 2:17-18
We live in the same last days. We have also received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray that all God’s people will “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) and that God’s mighty power would flow through us to change the world around us.
Father in heaven, pour out Your Spirit on us afresh, in Jesus’ name!
Yours in Christ,
Chuck Hetzler, Ph.D.
Senior Associate, Christian Union Day and Night
