John 14:16
Today, we joyfully celebrate our Pentecostal Heritage. In our Christian calendar today is what we refer to as Pentecost Sunday. This is indeed one of our high and holy days not to be taken lightly, but to be commemorated with great joy and exuberance. It calls to remembrance the glorious descent of The Holy Spirit upon God’s Ekklesia, in answer to Christ’s earnest prayer and the promise of the Father (John 14:16-18).
It remains one of the greatest source of rejoicing for us even in this twenty-first century church that “The Comforter has come,” Heaven’s holy dove, the Paraklete of glory has descended upon the church and He abides in us and with us. How comforting to know that we are not abandoned and comfortless, but divinely supported, unceasingly guided and supremely overshadowed. Every waking moment this church feels the comforting presence of Heaven’s holy dove. We thank God and pause just a while to express heartfelt appreciation for the Holy Spirit. The comforter has indeed come!
As Jesus was about to enter the final phase of His ministry here on earth, in an effort to prepare His disciples for His passion and then for His glorious resurrection and ascension, He was so careful to reassure them saying “And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16). In Scripture, according to the original Greek “another Comforter” translates as another like Himself. Just like Jesus walked alongside His disciples comforting them, cheering them, lifting them, supervising and superintending them, leading them, inspiring them, mentoring them, healing and blessing and protecting, so the Holy Spirit divinely accompanies and nurtures the people of God.
The inspirational thought is He abides with us forever. As comforter – He is called to our side! He comes alongside all of us as legal assistant, counsel for the defense and as our advocate. He pleads our cause as intercessor. He succors us. What a cause for rejoicing! As Pentecostals, we refuse to allow anybody to cause us to be ashamed of our Pentecostal heritage and baptism. As classical Pentecostals, we still also believe in Holy Spirit baptism, speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence of such (Acts 2:4).
It is also true that Pentecost or the Feast of Pentecost, according to Jewish tradition was a celebration of first fruits. It was a time set aside 50 days after Passover to honor the Lord for blessing the fruits of their labor. It represented the beginning of harvest. Fifty days after Easter the Holy Spirit came upon the church. As they celebrated Him in prayer and praise, He descended into their midst and baptized them.
Today, all throughout this region we desperately need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit – in order to reap this last days Harvest, as He commissioned us to do. Let the Pentecostal fire of the Holy Spirit so envelop us again, resulting in tongues, prophecy, miracles, salvations and the birthing of countless churches! We heartily embrace our Pentecostal heritage!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
