"Experience The Power Of Pentecost"

Recently I observed the above statement on a sign for an area denomination.  It got me to thinking about its possible meaning, and while I will not presume to know what this denomination intends (I have not yet asked), I do know we can study the scriptures to find out what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

Pentecost has reference to an annual feast observed fifty days after Passover.  The day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, has special meaning to Christians because it marks the beginning of several things.  In fact, the apostle Peter referred to it as the "beginning" (Acts 11:15).  It marked when the baptism of the Holy Spirit first occurred (Acts 2:1-4).  The beginning of preaching the gospel of Christ also was on that day (vs. 22-26).  Gospel obedience and the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus began on that day (vs. 37-38, 40-41).  And, it was on that day that the church of Christ was established, the kingdom of God (vs. 47; Mark 9:1).

But how or in what degree can we "experience" the power of Pentecost today?  And, what "power" does one have in mind by this statement?  If one has in mind the baptism of the Holy Spirit (vs. 1-4), let the careful student of scripture note that this was a promise of Jesus to His apostles, not a command to be obeyed either then or now.  In Acts 2, the apostles were the ONLY recipients of Holy Spirit baptism.  The immediate context bears this out (note Acts 1:26; 2:7, 14, 42-43); it was in fulfillment to what Jesus promised His apostles in John 14:26; 15:26 and 16:13.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit here marked the beginning of the Holy Spirit's work in revelation - to give man the complete and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ.  One other instance of Holy Spirit baptism is recorded in Acts 10; this was to show God's acceptance of the Gentiles in His eternal scheme of redemption.  These two incidents (Acts 2, 10) were the only occasions where Holy Spirit baptism was given and in both cases it did not save the sinner.  Both audiences were COMMANDED to put on their Lord in water baptism, the ONE BAPTISM referred to in Ephesians 4:4.  It was for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Holy Spirit baptism was not given to save the sinner; the gospel of Christ is THE power for that (Romans 1:16).  God used miracles in the beginning to reveal and confirm His word of truth (Mark 16:18, 20; Hebrews 2:3-4).  However, when the truth was "once for all delivered" (Jude 3), the miracles of the first century forever ceased because they had accomplished their purpose of revelation and confirmation of God's word (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).  Consequently, there are no miracles worked today or else they would be demonstrated.  I've attended meetings of those who claim to work such now, but I have not witnessed a miracle yet.  Those who look for Holy Spirit baptism now need to give careful consideration to the above scriptures.

There is "power" that does have universal application today found in Acts 2 - THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:21; James 1:18, 22; 1 Peter 1:22-25).  The salvation of those Jews on Pentecost, as well as Cornelius' house in Acts 10, was because they heard the gospel and obeyed it (cf. 10:35, 47-48).  THIS is what must be emphasized today - THIS is what must be obeyed!  Woe to them who "obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

                                                                                                   - Dan Richardson