The Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-47

“In the last days…”

Peter makes it quite clear that the Day of Pentecost ushers in a period of time we might call “The Last Days.”  Now, I realize that this period of time has been nearly 2000 years long, but there’s no question that the Kingdom of God began to be ushered in with the coming of the Holy Spirit.  While we eagerly await the coming of the Kingdom in all of its fullness, we rejoice that it is already at hand.

No longer would “the Spirit of God” be restricted to an elite class of people.  No longer would we have to trust in priests and prophets to speak the Word of the Lord.  No longer would the ministry be restricted to people of a particular age, or race, or gender.  Instead, Peter reminds us that Joel prophecied a day when the Spirit of God would be poured out on all people… and according to Peter, that day began on the day of Pentecost so many years ago.

Rejoice in the knowledge that you don’t need a priest or a mediator to enter into the presence of God.  Celebrate the fact that you can be used by the Holy Spirit as a mouthpiece for the Most High God.  Take delight in the certainty that God has come to Jew and Gentile, free and slave, male and female, young and old.

At the same time, this knowledge comes with great responsibility.  What role does God want you to fill in His Kingdom?  Are you living in the fullness of the Spirit and exploring all that He has for you today?  Are your words consistent with the words that He would want to speak through you?

Pentecost reminds us that you are the Body of Christ on the earth today–the ambassadors of the Kingdom, filled with the Spirit of God.  Go forth in the knowledge that the Spirit of Christ indwells you!