Responding to the closure of his church during the Covid-19 pandemic, a US pastor said, “We’re a Pentecostal denomination, and when we gather and pray the Holy Ghost comes in the midst. There are healings, signs, wonders, some things done together in the church that can’t be done in a live stream.”1
How many of our closed churches regularly witnessed the Spirit’s power when they were open? Many perhaps did in less dramatic ways than the above – so many believers know the quiet conviction of the Spirit like Wesley’s “strangely warmed” heart.
As we approach Pentecost Sunday (31 May), let us remember why the Holy Spirit was sent. First, it was to fulfil Jesus’ promise: “But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). So, his role is to teach us and remind us what Jesus has said.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:7) who guides us and whose presence seals Israel’s new covenant, promised in Jeremiah 31:31-37, which Gentiles were invited to join (Eph 2:11-22). So, he is the seal of our redemption: “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:13-14).
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit was poured out for the spread of the gospel, as promised by Jesus and in fulfilment of the word of the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:1-13). As we read in Acts 2, people from all over the Jewish diaspora were present in Jerusalem at the Temple for the pilgrim feast of Shavuot (see box below). The disciples too were present “in one place” (Acts 2:1). They were no longer in the Upper Room, as has often been taught. A crowd of thousands could not possibly have fitted into or around one room in Jerusalem’s narrow streets. The place of celebration of Shavuot/Pentecost was the Temple. After hearing the gospel and witnessing God’s Spirit at work, these diaspora Jews (‘diaspora’ meaning literally ‘scattering of seed’) returned home and seeded the gospel in their communities, so that it began to spread to the surrounding nations.
The Holy Spirit was poured out for the spread of the gospel, as promised by Jesus and in fulfilment of the word of the Prophet Joel.
Word and Spirit
The festival of Shavuot (Pentecost) teaches us that word and Spirit are in dynamic harmony. In the Lord’s perfect symmetry and timing, he gave the Torah at Mount Sinai exactly 50 days after Passover – at Shavuot. Jesus died at Passover, becoming our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7), and exactly 50 days later – at Shavuot (Pentecost) – his Spirit was poured out. Both times, deliverance at Passover was followed by the giving of a covenant at Shavuot/Pentecost. First the word, and secondly the Spirit of the word-made-flesh, Jesus, was given.
Why? For the sealing of the covenant and for the spread of the gospel. As Paul said, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Cor 2:4-5).
Lost Focus
We have lost focus on the primary reason the Spirit was poured out: for the spread of the gospel. A great deception has swept across much of the charismatic world which is subtle and confusing, dethroning the Lord and putting the focus on man and man’s aspirational desires for health, wealth and power.
From the prosperity gospel through to Christian celebrity culture and the rise of super-apostles and prophets with millions of followers, the Holy Spirit is invoked to justify grand promises of the good life – guaranteed prosperity, unlimited blessing and self-aggrandising power. In reality, well-meaning Christians become hooked on a never-ending stream of books, teachings, events and ‘prophetic’ words – always wanting more but never feeling satisfied.
Many are missing the point that true satisfaction comes from serving the gospel and discipling others, not from being ‘blissed out’ in worship, delightful as those experiences may be. We must pursue the fruit that lasts – the salvation of souls.
This festival of Shavuot (Pentecost) teaches us that word and Spirit are in dynamic harmony.
True Obedience
True worship of the Lord is obedience. The gifts of the Spirit are intended primarily for evangelism and discipleship among local communities, not on stages for the entertainment of sensation-seeking crowds. If the Church were truly obeying the Great Commission (rather than mostly talking about it) we would see the gifts and fruit of the Spirit working in harmony, pointing to Jesus rather than to man and in perfect accord with the word of God.
The Lord gave the Torah and the Spirit at Shavuot not because the Spirit supersedes the word, but to show us that the word can only be understood and lived out through the Spirit. Both word and Spirit point to Jesus, and Jesus’ final command to us was the Great Commission.
This Pentecost/Shavuot, let us remember the real reasons why the Holy Spirit was given.
In true obedience to the gospel lies our healing.
References
1 Boorstein, M. The church that won’t close its doors over the coronavirus. The Washington Post, 20 March 2020.
2 See myjewishlearning.com.
3 Ruth 2:23: “So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished.”
