We say we believe in God. We also believe in Jesus His only Son. And … hesitantly perhaps … we also believe in the Holy Spirit.
I say hesitantly because most people believe even though they might not know what to believe. And that’s not always their fault.
Sure, they’ve heard what happened at Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. They’ve heard of the Annunciation and the Virgin Birth, and the Holy Spirit appearing at Christ’s baptism.
But apart from these and other stories about the Holy Spirit, people are left with a void, a mystery. To many, the Holy Spirit is something or someone to believe in without question. To them, the Holy Spirit is confined to the pages of the Bible, to be believed in and not dwelt upon for too long.
The important questions are rarely asked:
Is the Holy Spirit relevant to them today? Is the Holy Spirit here now?
Of course He is. And what is more, He is here to guide us throughout our lives, through difficult times and good ones, showing us the way, and teaching us what to say and do.
Yet many people, Christians in every other respect, are unaware of this fact.
To the followers of Jesus gathered together at Pentecost, receiving the Holy Spirit was a real event in their lives. It was not something they had read about in some old scrolls, or heard about it from some prophet. To them this was real indeed. And it became real for the rest of their lives. When they met and spoke about receiving the Holy Spirit they meant exactly that. To them, receiving the Holy Spirit was a life-changing event.
Imagine for instance some major event happening in your life. Imagine having to describe this event to others who had not been there ...
to you, this event was and will always be a reality. It happened. You
witnessed it. You were there. And now you can tell others about it. It's not just a story you are telling. It is real.
Sadly though, with the passage of time, the story of Pentecost, or more precisely, the significance and understanding of receiving the Holy Spirit, has been diluted over the years.
Perhaps it's because people don't understand the Holy Spirit. They have not been told, they have not
been taught. Perhaps too it is because of their confusion in accepting and
comprehending the Holy Spirit in-dwelling within ourselves.
Why is the church sometimes so reticent in proclaiming this – the greatest news and central message of our Christianity?
God, Christ, is/are with us right now. Through the Holy Spirit. In-dwelling in our souls if we so desire.
...I must admit that Pentecost is something that I don't understand.
ReplyDeleteI hope this article helps:
Deletehttps://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/2020/05/pentecost-what-is-that.html
God bless, Tom.
Tom, pray and ask God to reveal it to you.
DeleteI agree, Sandi. Yours is a better response than mine.
DeleteGod bless.
"Why is the church sometimes so reticent in proclaiming this – the greatest news and central message of our Christianity?"
ReplyDeleteThis is a good question. Maybe some churches don't do this because they feel they will lose control.
Some of us do talk about the Holy Spirit.
Some of us are quiter.
I think it's important. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is part of our walk with God.
quieter, I meant to say!
DeleteYou are right, Sandi. Maybe the churches fear loss of control, (or worse still), maybe their priests don't believe. I have met some who don't!
DeleteAlso, why is it that we rarely hear the devil mentioned in sermons? He should be mentioned as the danger he represents to Christianity. Sermons these days are nice and goody so as not to frighten the "audience". Priests should tell it as it is. Christ did.
God bless you.
Maybe they think it will push people away, but I think the opposite is true.
DeleteThe truth draws people in, even if it is ugly. We hunger for the truth and know it when we see it. I think this is why people stop attending church. They want to hear the Truth and may not know what it is until they hear it. But they know when what they hear is not the truth or not all of it.
DeleteYou are right again Sandi. The church does not preach the truth because they are afraid of losing its audience. In the UK regular (weekly) church attendance (all denominations) is about 5% of the population. About 46% admit to being "Christian" - whatever that is. Most just use the word as a badge rather than a way of life; judging from church attendance figures.
DeleteTrue, people want to hear the truth; but I fear that some church leaders have lost the way. The sheep are lost with no shepherds to lead them.
God bless you.
Then you must lead them, Victor.
DeleteYou're so kind, Sandi. Thanx.
DeleteGod bless you.
A friend of mine, now with The Lord, used to say, "Of course, no one understands the Holy Spirit any longer! His work is not preached, and when we sing hymns, the first verse of a traditional hymn is about the Father, the second about the Son, the third about the Holy Spirit, and the fourth about the Trinity as a Whole. Then the song leader stands up and announces, 'We will sing hymn number such-and-such, the first, second and fourth verses./
ReplyDelete"We never sing about or to Him, or hear preaching about Him, no wonder we just don't know Him!"
Her argument has merit to me, and i try to praise the Holy Spirit as often as I do the Father and Son. Note, i'm not perfect and don't always succeed, but it is a goal i have.
It's true, Mimi; not many people understand the Holy Spirit these days. He is forgotten by many.
DeleteGod bless you.
For several reasons, at this time in my life I feel closer to The Holy Spirit than say. Jesus. Or the Father. (Of course, knowing they're all one, that sentence sounds weird.)
ReplyDeleteWearing my red for Pentecost Sunday services in a little while. Have a most blessed day, my friend.
Indeed Mevely; all three are one although separate Deities. Pray for us at your Pentecost Sunday services.
DeleteGod bless always. Thank you.
Very good subject and treated well my friend. I want to be faithful in my belief, but I must say it has been a trial for awhile as a matter of fact for over a year. But we hope and pray for VICTORY over all the doubts.
ReplyDeleteLove to your side and you my friend, You are a blessing and a help.
Sherry & jack
My dear friend Jack; I am so sorry to hear you have had difficulties for a while now and it is a trial for you. Sometimes God allows such things to happen. We never really know why but we should persevere in our faith and continue to trust; difficult as it may be at times. It also strengthens our faith in some ways. The fact that we continue to pray proves that we still believe He is there ... listening and caring for us.
DeleteI am praying for you and your family.
God bless you all.
I don't recall anyone talking about the Holy Spirit when I was young. That was in the 50s and 60s.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Bill. The Holy Spirit was not taught about then and is not taught about now. Christianity is doing a great disservice in its teachings.
DeleteGod bless.
The Holy Spirit has truly revealed Himself to me over the past several years, and I'm ever so grateful for His presence and guidance.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Victor!
That's good to hear, Martha. You are blessed indeed. How fortunate you are.
DeleteGod bless always.
My church preaches about the Holy Spirit often.
ReplyDeleteOur pastor preaches what the Bible says even if it is not popular.
You're fortunate to have a good church, Happyone.
DeleteGod bless.
Victor, I really enjoyed what you posted!
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit has been living inside me for many years, which is why all those times I turned away from God, the Holy Spirit has called me back home!
God Bless!
Thank you for your visit Lon and for sharing with us. It is so good when the Holy Spirit is within our soul.
DeleteGod bless.