Picture the disciples gathered together
with the women who had supported Jesus’ ministry and with Jesus’ brothers. They’ve been praying. They’ve been remembering Jesus’ words to
them. They’ve been waiting. Then on the morning of Pentecost, the day
that commemorated the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai, they were gathered with
all the believers and suddenly a sound
like wind (but was there any air moving?) and something like tongues of fire appeared
(not fire, but similar in look), divided, and rested on them. The Holy Spirit filled them and they began to
testify about Jesus in all sorts of different languages.
What an incredible day that must have
been. They woke up a small congregation
of disciples, they ended the day a group of over three thousand believers! Imagine the lines for the baptisms! And the buzz around town: “Did you hear what happened in the city?”
Church leaders (myself included) often
look back at Pentecost with wonder and awe, and draw from the early church
models for modern day Christians to follow.
The outline in Acts
2:42 is illustrative for us. It tells us that they spent a lot of time
focusing on God’s Word (delivered by the Apostles), the fellowship (not just
hanging out together, but caring for their brothers and sisters in Christ), the
breaking of bread (which from the time of the early church was understood as
receiving Holy Communion), and prayer (literally, the prayers, because they likely
included psalms and other liturgical style recited and memorized prayers,
including the Lord’s Prayer). Good
things for us to do too.
More important than this model, though,
is the reason they followed the model. God
was at work giving them faith and salvation.
God’s Law had condemned them (and us) of crucifying Jesus, but the
Gospel of Jesus’ resurrection testifies that this He has reconciled us to
Himself in the forgiveness Jesus won by blood, last breath, and new life.
We gathered around Word and Sacrament
because that’s where God meets us and the Spirit fills us so we become
witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, too! God
is at work there to give us faith and salvation.
Holy Spirit, fill me with your presence,
faith, and life. Make me a witness of
Jesus’ resurrection. Amen.
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