Pentecost - God's Spirit In You!
Christians collectively are the temple of God if they have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them (1 Corinthians 3:16).
The sure foundation is stone with Christ as the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-20). We, as Christians, should be lively stones, a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). To be a holy priesthood we must receive the word of God.
How can we receive the word of God?
In the same manner which was required of Zerubbabel.
"...not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).
The feast of Pentecost was known as the feast of first fruits and the feast of weeks in the Old Testament. The difference in the New Testament is the huge population upon which the Holy Spirit is poured compared to only a few individuals (prophets and leaders) in the Old Testament.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).
This was the first major outpouring of the Holy Spirit on such a large number of people. Prior to this time very few people had received the Holy Spirit.
An excellent analogy was made between physical water and living water when Christ spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well. "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13-14). On the Last Great Day (a feast day), Christ made the point that believers would be a conduit for the living water, the Holy Spirit, which would flow through them to others (John 7:37-39).
God warns his people not to forsake the fountain of living water, hewing out broken cisterns, which can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). Acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ is reconciliation with God, allowing us to be saved by his life (Romans 5:10). Christ was raised from the dead. He is the living Messiah. He is not just a good teacher, a good leader, or a prophet. He is the first begotten from the dead (Revelation 1:5).
How does one receive the Holy Spirit?
The sequence is:
Repentance
Conversion
Baptism
The Laying on of hands
Receiving the Holy SpiritRepentance (turning or changing) is first, followed by conversion and baptism (Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19). Next is the laying on of hands (hands placed on your head, applying a small amount of oil), and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15-17).
Ordinarily after baptism and the laying on of hands a person receives the earnest of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5), which is a small portion of a down payment of the spirit, similar to earnest money in a real estate transaction.
For the spirit to grow within us we need to pray, study the Bible, and apply what we learn in our daily lives.
The reason for the presence of the Holy Spirit is to change our character for the better.
The Holy Spirit is the active part of us that will cause us to do the works of God.
Which works?
Feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, helping the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison (Matthew 25:35-36).
To physically do all the above is certainly commendable. However there is a deeper spiritual work that is infinitely more important.
Feed the hungry:
Provide people with a knowledge of Christ because Christ is the bread from heaven that gives eternal life (John 6:51).
Give water to the thirsty:
The Holy Spirit is the living water, the only water that can completely satisfy the thirst. Disciples of Christ will become conduits of the living water (John 7:38).
Helping the stranger:
We should have hospitality to all without grudging (1 Peter 4:9). We should even love our enemies (Luke 6:27).
Clothing the naked:
If you convert someone to Christ you are making it possible for them to be clothed with white linen. White linen is symbolic of the righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8).
Visiting the sick:
We should eat with sinners and bring them to salvation. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick (Matthew 9:11-12, Mark 2:16-17, Luke 5:30-32).
Visiting those in prison:
In today's world many people lack direction and see no purpose in their life. Provide people with the truth. The truth will set them free (John 8:32).
"Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yes, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed [it]; I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:9-11).
-- wilyelder
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The Holy Spirit can work with us or be in us (John 14:17). Generally the Holy Spirit is in a Christian after receiving the laying on of hands (Acts 19:6). This takes place after baptism (verse 5).
The Holy Spirit is the presence (Psalms 51:11, Psalms 139:7) and power (Romans 15:19, Micah 3:8) of GOD, which establishes a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). It can be as much a part of you as your ability to read this page. The Holy Spirit seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Although the Holy Spirit is a motivating (moving) force (2 Peter 1:21), it does not push. It leads (Romans 8:14).
Symbolically, the Holy Spirit is living water and each of us should become conduits of that living water (John 7:38).
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