Listen to last week’s sermon: The Gift of the Holy Spirit – Pentecost Sunday.

On this Pentecost Sunday, we reflect on “The Gift” — the profound presence of the Holy Spirit, a precious gift from God. The Holy Spirit, known by various names and titles, plays a pivotal role in guiding, comforting, teaching, helping, and empowering believers in their journey with Jesus Christ.

Pentecost, occurring 50 days after the crucifixion of Jesus, marks a significant event in Christian history. The apostles, gathered in an upper room and praying fervently for ten days, experienced the descent of the Holy Spirit. This powerful moment enabled them to speak in tongues and praise God in languages they had never known, attracting and astonishing a great crowd.

Amidst the amazement and skepticism of the crowd, Peter addressed them, explaining that this extraordinary event was the fulfillment of the prophecy foretold by Joel. He declared that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was a gift available to all who believe.

Read  Acts 2:38
Peter emphasized the importance of repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising that believers would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Greek: “dorea” — a gracious, unearned gift). The Holy Spirit is not a reward for good behavior but a gift for those willing to receive Him. This gift is a manifestation of God’s generosity and grace, not contingent upon human merit.

The sermon highlights that receiving the Holy Spirit can be a distinct event from the initial act of salvation. Various biblical accounts demonstrate that believers often received the Holy Spirit through a separate experience, often involving the laying on of hands and subsequent manifestations like speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Read Acts 19:1-6
Paul’s encounter with new believers in Ephesus underscores the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit, which they had not yet experienced despite their faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit is sovereign and not confined to human timetables or procedures. While there are instances of simultaneous experiences of salvation and receiving the Holy Spirit, the norm often involves a distinct subsequent event.

Read Ephesians 5:18
Believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, indicating an ongoing, conscious experience rather than a one-time event.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit involves being submerged and overflowing with the Spirit’s presence, power, and gifts. This experience equips believers for effective witnessing and service, transforming them into courageous and bold disciples.

Read Acts 1:8
The promise of power through the Holy Spirit enables believers to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

The sermon addresses the issue of ignorance about the Holy Spirit among some believers, attributed to insufficient teaching. It is imperative for Christians to understand and experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit to fulfill their God-given mission.

Read Acts 18:24-25
Apollos, a knowledgeable teacher, only knew the baptism of John and thus could not lead others into the experience of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit not only is a gift but also gives gifts to believers, enabling them to build up the body of Christ and serve effectively. These gifts include speaking in tongues, prophesying, and other spiritual gifts that empower believers.

The Holy Spirit is an essential gift for all believers, providing guidance, comfort, conviction, and empowerment. It is crucial for believers to seek and receive this gift to experience the fullness of life and mission in Christ.

Watch sermon here: