Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/78

Contributor - Rev. John P. Drost

Title - Who Is The Holy Spirit?

Topic - Meditation

Before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 5)

The Holy Spirit is God in Christ POSSESSING us

To be baptized with the Holy Spirit is first and foremost a being possessed by Him. It is to come under His authority, under His control. Therefore the Pentecostal experience is not so much a demonstration as it is a consecration. It is true that the first Pentecost in a sense was a mighty demonstration, but those who were touched by the Holy Fire were those who had yielded, surrendered, consecrated their hearts to Christ. God's people are bidden "to yield themselves to the Lord". (II Chron. 30:8) They must be possessed by Him.

Paul commands us in Ephesians 5: 18 "to be filled with the Holy Spirit". That command does not imply so much that we should ask Him to fill us, but that command instructs us to yield to Him who already has taken possession of us.

And they were filled with new wine (Acts 2:13)

The Holy Spirit is God in Christ CHANGING us

Perhaps the most striking observations about the goings on that first Pentecost day was the change that had come over the disciples. In fact the transformation was so radical that it was misinterpreted. The disciples were beside themselves. Not because of strong drink but because of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convinces us of sin and righteousness: I come to see myself as I really am. At the same time He leads us into all truth. I am someone other than I was: I am beside myself, I am born again. The beauty of Jesus is seen in me: in my actions, my conduct, my commitment. The fruits of the Spirit have ripened.

And you shall be my witnesses (Acts 1: 8)

The Holy Spirit is God in Christ COMMISSIONING us

Pentecost is a deep personal experience but is also a universal experience. In the Old Testament the Feast of Pentecost was the Feast of the Ingathering, the Feast of the Harvest. In a new sense we call the time since Pentecost the Time of the Harvest. And the End when Christ will come in glory will not appear until the Gospel of the Kingdom has been preached throughout the whole world. Born at Pentecost, the Church, labouring under that commission, is constrained to fulfill the Lord's command.

May this Pentecost deepen our commitment to Christ and His Word under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and may the Church under His guidance deepen her commitment to the Harvest.

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