THE DAYS OF PENTECOST

           

The Pentecost is not an event but a dispensation. We still live in the days of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has been present since creation (genesis1:3&26).the Holy Spirit is coequal with God (1john 5:7). In old times, the Holy Spirit only came upon men for special purposes but never dwelt permanently in man; just like in the case of Samson.

          Jesus ministry was accomplished totally by the help of the Holy Spirit- He was born of the Holy Spirit and was baptized of the Spirit (Luke 3:21-22) (Luke 4:14). Jesus never performed any miracle before the Holy Spirit came upon Him. Though Jesus was God he came as a man walking in the Holy Spirit (acts 10:38). Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for us by the move of the Holy Spirit (Hebrew 9:14) and He was also resurrected by the Spirit (Romans 8:11).

         The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was prophesied by the prophets from the Old Testament (Isaiah 32:15-18) (Joel 2:32). Jesus promised His disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit as a comforter to His disciples (john14:16-17) (john15:26) (john16:7-15).

          The Holy Spirit is a person. He is intelligent and can communicate effectively. He is the Spirit of truth-the highest form of reality, not fact. The truth is God’s word concerning every situation which the Holy Spirits brings to us Christians by means of Revelation.

          The Holy Spirit was sent to the earth by God to continue the ministry of our Lord Jesus in a multiplied form by dwelling in Christians around the world. Jesus asked His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit for power (Luke 24:49) (acts 1:8). The power of the Holy Spirit is the principle reason for the Pentecost and it is given for Christians to witness the risen Christ (acts1:8).

THE PURPOSE OF PENTECOST

1) The Body of Christ- which is the church- was born on the day of Pentecost. It was the first time Jesus disciples became born again (acts 2:1-11). Boldness came upon the disciples to preach the gospel of Christ on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to do the same miracles Jesus did while He was on earth (Acts3:6-7) as promised by Jesus Christ (John 14:12).

2) The Holy Ghost came to bring down the supernatural power of God upon the earth (Ephesians 3:19).

3) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is for service.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE POWER OF PENTECOST

1) You must be born again (2corinthians 5:17)

2) You must be yielded to God (Romans 12:1-2). You must die to yourself and be alive to God.

3) Ask of God in faith and you shall receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

THE AGENTS OF SIN

There are two potent weapons of satan which he uses to lure men into sin:

*Deception: (Ephesians 6:10-11) Satan is a cunning creature who uses deception as a major weapon in his works.

*Temptation: Satan tempts people into committing sin. Satan tempted Eve and also deceived her to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Jesus was tempted at all point but did not fall.

          Satan has no power (Matthew 28:18) but he uses temptation to bring men under his control just has he did to Adam by tempting him for Adam’s earthly dominion (psalm 115:16). Satan looks for our weaknesses/vulnerability in the flesh and tempts us through it.

          As Christians, we should give close attention to our points of vulnerability and avoid indulging in it. Wrong associations and company would further heighten your temptation. We must avoid whatever and whoever would bring us to temptation. Most crucially we shouldn't put ourselves in compromising situations deliberately. Temptation is one of the greatest weapons of the devil.

AGENTS OF SIN:

1) Immorality: fornication and sexual immorality is a major agent of sin (1corinthians 6:18). Immorality is destructive and can lead to spiritual death (Numbers 25:1,9)( 1corinthians 3:17).

2) Fraud and Corruption: Money is a good servant but a poor master. The love of money leads to sin and thus destruction (2kings 5). Corruption in power is a major reason for political killings and violence all over the world today. The cure for corruption is contentment; we must always be content with where God has kept us (1timothy 6:6).

3) Lies: satan is the father of lies. Christians should desist from lies for it is not of our Heavenly Father God. Integrity should be the lifestyle of a Christian.

4) Rebellion: rebellion is a common practice in the world today. The Ten Commandments given to Moses warns against rebellion and God frowns at it (exodus 20:12). God expects us to respect the authority of parents and spiritual heads in the churches.

HOW TO OVERCOME SIN:

1)  Repentance (1john 1:9)(proverbs 28:13).

2) Flee from anything that seems evil (1corinthians 6:18).

3) Surrender totally unto God (romans 12:1-2). We must change our minds and thinking perspectives.

          The Ultimate help from the bondage of sin is help from the Holy Spirit achieved through steadfast prayers and worship (John 16:8).