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This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. Just before Jesus was taken up into heaven, 40 days after His resurrection, He told His disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotes part of the earth.”

10 days later, while about 120 people were in prayer, waiting before the Lord, they were miraculously filled with the Holy Spirit. That day the church as we know it today was born. 

Are we still dependent on the Holy Spirit today? Are we seeking the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our churches? In the early church described throughout the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit of God was poured out with generosity, resulting in the ability to speak the Word of God with great boldness. 

In the first sermon recorded after the birth of the church, Peter identified a Prophecy from the prophet Joel which describes the phenomenon which took place at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was to be poured out on all mankind; both men and women shall speak of the wondrous works of God. About 3000 souls were saved from deserved judgment after that first sermon, and the church of the living God continued to flourish for several years. 

Most of us in the church today would probably agree that we are lacking in the power of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives and at our gatherings, I include myself in this. But, may we join together in prayer for a revival of His presence among us, once again stirring our hearts to repentance and receiving the filling of the Holy Spirit with power. Changed lives are a glorious gift from God, one soul at a time.

Marv Fisher is the pastor at Calvary Chapel Farmville,  and he can be heard weekdays at 1:30 p.m. on 105.3 Equip FM radio. He can be reached at pastor@ccfarmville.org.