Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May 16/56

Contributor - J. W. Falkenburg

Title - Pentecost

Topic - Pentecost

It is indeed a sorry thing to see how little attention Pentecost receives from many churches on this continent. It is understandable that the world does not know what to do with Pentecost. But it is downright appalling that the church could come to the point where it ignored it's very origin: the descent of the Holy Spirit. Without the descent of the Holy Spirit there would be no church, no gospel, no true faith! How little we understand of the Bible when we fail to observe Pentecost! Pentecost is at least as important to the church as Christmas and Easter! A church that fails to see this has become a secular church. It has conformed to the world.

When we read the book of Acts we become impressed by the importance of the great event of the descent of the Holy Spirit. Before this event the disciples were puzzled and confused. To be sure they were praying, they were of one mind. But at the same time we read about the first speech of Peter, in Which he insisted on having the place of Judas taken by somebody else. There had to be twelve official "witnesses to his (Christ's) resurrection". And the best way to find number twelve was to cast lots, they thought! The lot fell on a certain Matthias. How confused Peter was! He thought that that was the way in which God's will was be done. To cast lots! But God had another way to provide for the twelfth apostle. His choice was a certain Saul, later to be called Paul. He would yet be made a witness to, Christ's resurrection on the road to Damascus. He would work "harder than any of them" (1 Cor. 15:10), although being "the least of the apostles."

God's thoughts are not our thoughts and God's ways not our ways. Without the Spirit of God we cannot understand God, we cannot do His will. "No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God" (1 Chr. 2:11). It is the same Spirit that "searches everything, even the depths of God". There is quite a gap between the first and the second speech of Peter, recorded in the book of Acts. In between the descent of the Holy Spirit took place. After this Peter is no longer concerned with matters like a twelfth apostle and casting lots. The descent of the Spirit prompts, him to preach, to proclaim the Gospel to "you and your children and to all that are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Him" (Acts 2:39). The Spirit of God is a "missionary Spirit". It is a Spirit of "teaching and fellowship", of "breaking of bread and prayers" (Acts 2:42).

Before the descent of the Spirit Peter, appointed leader of the disciples, is at a loss as to how to execute his office. He is concerned about the open place created by Judas' betrayal and death. Somebody else surely will have to take "his share in this ministry"! Do not the Psalms say: "His office let another take"? ! But after the descent of the Spirit Peter is reminded of other texts in the Old Testament. Things have changed; his interest in the Psalms has changed. He now applies David's words to the risen Christ, to the ascended Lord! And his embarrassment about his leadership is also gone. He now knows what to do! He now knows the will of God, no lots need be cast anymore! He is sure of his task: "standing with the eleven, he lifted up his voice and addressed them" (i.e. the people) !

What a difference the Spirit makes! When the day of Pentecost had come, everything was changed. May the church always be mindful of that day!

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