Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Pentecost: Holy Spirit who Renews All Creation
Acts 2: 1-13
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” Acts 2: 3
Devotion
The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is called the birth of the church because it revealed the message of God to a large group of people who then repented and were baptized in His name after accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. The coming of the Holy Spirit and the renewal of creation was spoken in the Old Testament like in Isaiah where it says “till the Spirit is poured on us from on high,and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest” (Isaiah 32:15).
What does speaking in tongues mean? It is a question that Christians have discussed in great detail over the years. There are generally two sides when it comes to the interpretation of this. One side says it is a heavenly language by which we speak to God without knowing what we are saying. The other side says that it is a way in which God prophecies to others through us, although it will take someone to interpret for people to understand the words. Both sides however agree on the fact that it is the Holy Spirit that enables such a transformation to happen. The word commonly associated with such a phenomenon, especially in the Eastern Churches, is Mystery.
Unlike doctrine which is a set of written or established principles of faith, mystery is something that is not fully known by man yet is an important tenet of faith. How the Holy Spirit enables man to speak in tongues is beyond his comprehension and hence is called a mystery. It is not important to understand how something like that happens. Instead, what is important is to understand that it is given and revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is capable of renewing our lives if we are ready to accept it into our lives. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide to teach us and remember about what He is capable of doing in our lives (John 14:26). It can renew each one of us if we accept the power that the great mystery holds. Let us therefore commit and recommit our lives each day to accept this great gift that our Lord has given us. For it is said, And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9). May the almighty God strengthen each day of our lives.
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” Acts 2: 3
Devotion
The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is called the birth of the church because it revealed the message of God to a large group of people who then repented and were baptized in His name after accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. The coming of the Holy Spirit and the renewal of creation was spoken in the Old Testament like in Isaiah where it says “till the Spirit is poured on us from on high,and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest” (Isaiah 32:15).
What does speaking in tongues mean? It is a question that Christians have discussed in great detail over the years. There are generally two sides when it comes to the interpretation of this. One side says it is a heavenly language by which we speak to God without knowing what we are saying. The other side says that it is a way in which God prophecies to others through us, although it will take someone to interpret for people to understand the words. Both sides however agree on the fact that it is the Holy Spirit that enables such a transformation to happen. The word commonly associated with such a phenomenon, especially in the Eastern Churches, is Mystery.
Unlike doctrine which is a set of written or established principles of faith, mystery is something that is not fully known by man yet is an important tenet of faith. How the Holy Spirit enables man to speak in tongues is beyond his comprehension and hence is called a mystery. It is not important to understand how something like that happens. Instead, what is important is to understand that it is given and revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is capable of renewing our lives if we are ready to accept it into our lives. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide to teach us and remember about what He is capable of doing in our lives (John 14:26). It can renew each one of us if we accept the power that the great mystery holds. Let us therefore commit and recommit our lives each day to accept this great gift that our Lord has given us. For it is said, And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9). May the almighty God strengthen each day of our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, who promised the helper for our renewal, we come before you asking you to pour out your Holy Spirit in each one of us. Holy Spirit, please work in our lives to strengthen us each day and keep us away from sin and strife. We ask all this in the precious name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Day
In truth, I have done nothing alone. God has called me and has been my pilot. The Holy Spirit has been my comforter, my guide, and my power source. – Reinhard Bonnke
Gary Thomas George
Long Island Mar Thoma Church, New York
Heavenly Father, who promised the helper for our renewal, we come before you asking you to pour out your Holy Spirit in each one of us. Holy Spirit, please work in our lives to strengthen us each day and keep us away from sin and strife. We ask all this in the precious name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Day
In truth, I have done nothing alone. God has called me and has been my pilot. The Holy Spirit has been my comforter, my guide, and my power source. – Reinhard Bonnke
Gary Thomas George
Long Island Mar Thoma Church, New York