Picture: Adam Homfray, iStockphoto.com "The 'tongues of fire' have spread down through the days of this age. Charles Wesley speaks of 'the pure celestial fire' which ignites 'a flame of sacred love on the mean altar of my heart'. Pentecost was, and is, about being cleansed by love and filled with the Spirit only to pass on that love and Spirit to others, 'strangers' included."

20th June, 2004

LLOYD HARKNESS

Pentecost Sunday, or Whit Sunday as it is referred to in some church traditions, is a day of celebration. Those who acknowledge this day will already have some understanding of the word. If your tradition comes under the umbrella of being a Pentecostal church, then no doubt this is not a foreign word for you either. But let's see if we can't add something to your appreciation of the Pentecost experience. For those of you with different backgrounds well, there is nothing better than coming to something new in God with a fresh mind and an open heart.

There are three references to Pentecost in the New Testament but it is the first one that has changed the direction of history. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) Jesus' followers were given the ignition switch to begin a new era. To see how the events of this day fulfilled the Old Testament expression of Pentecost we need to step back into those days first.

The first two months of the Hebrew calendar incorporated four major feasts: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and, Weeks (which finished with the day of Pentecost). It's spring and the feasts covered the time of the barley crop. The first barley sheaf was presented to God at the conclusion of the Passover (Feast of Firstfruits) and two leavened loaves were presented on the day of Pentecost. In this way the Hebrews acknowledged God as the Lord of the harvest, as their provider. But there is more to it than this.

Peace and sin offerings were made on Pentecost. The day's celebration was predicated on sin being removed and the people reconciled to God. Then, with joy and thanksgiving, they could celebrate the harvest. Also, Pentecost, which means 50th day (from the Sabbath of Passover week) which was the number of days after the exodus from Egypt when Moses received the law on Mt. Sinai. Not only were the Hebrews being reminded to be grateful for the abundance they had been given in the land of promise but they were celebrating the receiving of the Old Testament "bread of life"; the law, God's instructions on how to live for Him.

The Day of Pentecost was a day of feasting, of celebration, of socialising. This special day was open to all, including strangers, whereas Passover was celebrated more in family groups.

Leaping forward into the New Testament we see the Day of Pentecost become the birth date of the church. This day marks the beginning of a new age, an age in which the Holy Spirit is given freely and liberally. It's a birthday where everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the bounty that Joel prophesied of, that Jesus prayed for and that the Holy Spirit spread upon the table. This is the day the Holy Spirit began to fill up those who had surrendered to Jesus' lordship in their lives. No longer would people just have a set of instructions on how to live for God. Now they would be empowered to live for Him and Christ's law will/would be written on our hearts.

What a celebration that first Pentecost of the new age was. God revealed himself in a visual and audible way ("rushing wind", "tongues of fire"), people were filled to the point where they had to loosen their belts, figuratively speaking, and an infectious message of God's abundance flowed in the course of conversation from one unto another until thousands were joining the party. The stories of their experience were endorsed by God who gave the same gift or infilling of the Holy Spirit to those who listened with their hearts. There were people from multiple language groups who heard, understood and received the gospel of Jesus and the empowering of the Spirit.

The "tongues of fire" have spread down through the days of this age. Charles Wesley speaks of

"the pure celestial fire" which ignites "a flame of sacred love on the mean altar of my heart". Pentecost was, and is, about being cleansed by love and filled with the Spirit only to pass on that love and Spirit to others, "strangers" included.

In the "rushing wind" God breathed new life into His people. This was a day of consummation; the 50th day. A Feast of Weeks (7x7 or a week of weeks) was complete and in the "fullness of time" God the Father began to celebrate with a harvest of souls.

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