What's Pentecost...?

By Pastor George Antonakos

Sometimes that can be the reaction when we are not aware of the significance of what we celebrate today. Somehow Pentecost just doesn't compare with Christmas and Easter in the minds of people, including Christians. Greeting card companies are tenacious about creating as many holiday cards as possible, but haven't even come close with Pentecost. I think I have a hunch as to why that is, but first, a bit of background on this subject.

Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth day," has its roots in the ancient Jewish Feast of Weeks, a celebration of the first harvest, seven weeks after planting. Later, the Jewish people associated Pentecost with the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. So there is a subtle connection between Moses "coming down" with the Law and the Holy Spirit "coming down" upon the disciples at Pentecost. The coming down we celebrate today marked the inauguration of the reign of the kingdom of God promised in the gospels.

The Day of Ascension (we usually miss that one too), ten days before Pentecost, is theologically important because just as Jesus came to us in the incarnation (Christmas) and was glorified in the resurrection (Easter), he ascended and went back to the Father in order that the Spirit might come down and dwell within believers. The Holy Spirit enables us to experience the fellowship that has always existed between the Father and Son. It's the fulfillment of what Jesus prayed for us in John 17. That's what Pentecost is all about -- the Spirit's power indwelling each and every one of us, baptizing us into the Body of Christ, so that the church can be the living presence of Jesus Christ to the world. Acts 2 describes the birth of the fledgling church and the beginning of Christian mission to the world.

I like the way our friend Dr. Andrew Purves, puts it in order to remind us of the key to the church's missional effectiveness:

"it is not our ministry effort that makes Jesus practical today, it is his ministry through us in the power of the Holy Spirit that makes us practical today!"

So why is Pentecost the "stealth" holy day? Perhaps because the work of the Holy Spirit is to always draw attention to Jesus (John 16:14,15). Pentecost then is about two things:

1. The Holy Spirit is God at work in us, and
2. The Holy Spirit's indwelling provides us with at least one spiritual gift by which we become valuable and necessary to the Christian community.

On Christmas and Easter, we celebrate with the giving of gifts; on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit becomes God's indwelling gift to us so that we might become a gift to others. A Spirit-filled Church will also draw attention to Christ as Lord and Savior rather than itself or its gifts. So, if there was ever a day to sing "happy birthday to us" ~ today is the day! Happy Pentecost!