In Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve sinned, there were many devastating results, not only for them, but for the whole human race.  One of the consequences was the loss of spirit life.  They became separated from God. They lost their connection with God, including their relationship with God. All that God had set up, which was “very good,” was ruined.

But our loving God devised a plan of redemption.

John 3:16:  
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, was the day God had planned and waited for – the day when His gift of holy spirit would be available to anyone who accepted Jesus Christ as lord of all people and believed in the heart that God raised him from the dead.

Romans 10:9: 
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9:  
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.   

On that great Day of Pentecost, the door was open for anyone to have what God originally intended for human beings:   #1, to have His spirit, no longer separated from God, and, #2, in receiving God’s gift of holy spirit, one also obtains eternal life! 

Romans 6:23: 
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus Christ spoke of the coming of God’s gift of holy spirit on a number of occasions.

John 14:26:  
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

It is quite noteworthy that the last recorded words of Jesus Christ before he ascended into heaven, were regarding the coming of God’s gift of holy spirit.

Acts 1:4-8
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Not many days later, that promise from the Father was fulfilled!

Acts 2:1-4:  
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

When this event happened, there were some who supposed that these twelve apostles were drunk!  But Peter began to explain to them what was happening.

Acts 2:16-18:  
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Peter then began preaching about Jesus Christ, clearly pointing out two important truths:  Jesus Christ is lord of all men, and that God raised him from the dead.  Peter went on to tell the people…

Acts 2:38-39:  
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

About 3,000 people believed what Peter was preaching and they got born again and received God’s gift of holy spirit.  And today, anyone who confesses, or acknowledges, or accepts the Lord Jesus and believes in the heart that God raised him from the dead, they are saved; they have eternal life; they are sealed with God’s gift, that promised holy spirit.   

Ephesians 1:13-14:  
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

This Sunday, May 24th, is the day when we recognize that great day recorded in Acts 2.  And even though God in His Word in I Corinthians 12 said He did not want us ignorant of spiritual matters, sadly, in many Christian circles, there will be little or no celebration.

But for those who have an understanding of what the Scriptures declare, it is the day God waited and planned for; it is the day God made eternal life available; it is the day God once again made His spirit available to anyone and everyone; it is the day that human beings could become born again, no longer separated from God; it was the day that true Christianity began!  Peter later referred to it as, “the beginning!

At the very least we ought to stop and tell our loving heavenly Father, ‘THANK YOU!”

Titus 3:4 and 5:  
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration [a new birth], and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

HAPPY PENTECOST!