The Amazing Miracle of Pentecost

During his final teaching at the Last Supper, Jesus makes this remarkable statement and promise:

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. (John 14:16-18, NLT)

The promise of Pentecost is so significant in the life of the Christian believer, but surprisingly, many people don’t understand its importance. Many simply take this celestial gift for granted. But the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is something that will revolutionize your life – if you understand and seek it.

The disciples of Jesus were understandably awestruck after His resurrection. They thought they had lost Him on the cross and now they didn’t want to let Him go away again. But Jesus explained that though he would be returning to His Father in heaven, He would not leave them – or us – alone.

And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven. (Luke 24:49, NLT)

Soon after Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples made their way to the upper room in Jerusalem where they waited for the promised Holy Spirit to arrive.

The Power and the Presence

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were praying together in Jerusalem, waiting on the promise of Jesus. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm. Then, what looked like flames appeared and settled on each of them. Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4, NLT)

This was one of the most important moments in human history. Before the day of Pentecost, God and mankind were separated by sin. Because of the death of Jesus Christ, which paid for that sin, God and man could now be reconciled. Then, as a result of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit can now resided with believing human beings on a continual basis.

Pentecost was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of God dwelling continually with mankind:

…the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). (Isaiah 7:14, NLT)

No other religion even hints at the possibility of God being not only personal, but actually communing with humans. The apostle Peter explains that the Old Testament prophets wondered at their own prophecies concerning the sufferings of Christ and then the glories to follow. Then he made this remarkable statement:

And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. (1 Peter 1:12, NLT)

Imagine the angels marveling at the fact that the holy God of heaven would come to earth in human form. And then, after dying a painful death on the cross to pay for the sins of mankind, He would send His Holy Spirit to live within the hearts of believers forever.

It is truly remarkable.

The Holy Spirit as Our Helper

The Apostle John used the word “Paraclete” five times in the New Testament to describe the Holy Spirit. “Paraclete” can be translated as “comforter” or “advocate.” The word can also be used to describe a counsel for the defense, advocate, an intercessor, or basically a helper.

The Holy Spirit is all these things at different times in the life of the believer.

Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as He is about to ascend to heaven:

It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor [Paraclete] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7, WEB)

God desires that we all follow in the footsteps of Jesus and live a life that is directed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us and guide us into all truth.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26).

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth (John 16:13).

How the Holy Spirit Works in Our Lives

In addition to helping us, the Holy Spirit will also do these things in the life of a Bible believing Christian:

• The Holy Spirit as our guide: In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul wrote that the Spirit of God has been sent to guide those who are the children of God (see Rom. 8:14). Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27) It is by the Holy Spirit that God speaks to us.
• The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom: “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” (James 1:5, CEV) The apostle Paul writes of the wisdom we can receive from God by the Holy Spirit: “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Cor. 2:12, ESV)
• The Holy Spirit gives power to live for God: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, ESV) With the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are able to accomplish the plans God has for our lives. Jesus made this promise just before he ascended into heaven: “…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses … to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8, NASB)
• The Holy Spirit helps us become like Jesus: We need the Holy Spirit to: Lead us to salvation through Christ (Romans 8:15-16); Give us His desire for us to live holy lives (John 16:13); Strengthen us to resist temptation to sin and disobey God (John 16:8); Comfort and encourage us when we miss the mark (John 14:16);      Give us wisdom and discernment in our choices of friends, entertainment, hobbies, etc. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14); and encourage us through ongoing Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship with other believers (1 Corinthians 14:12).

The Holy Spirit is a person, so you can speak to Him as part of the Trinity. Today, invite the Holy Spirit to come into your life and to begin the work of making you more like Jesus. It is both a wonderful relationship and a glorious adventure.

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