Page 11 - Grapevine 62 FINAL

The day the church was born NEW SERIES … THROUGH THE CHRISTIAN YEAR

The disciples of Jesus, with one instruction to go back to the city and wait. Then Peter stands up, raises his voice and influence. The wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit is still
exception, had deserted him. His When the Lord says ‘Wait,’ it can be one addresses the people. Yes, the same Simon Peter ours today. He empowers Christians to carry on Christ’s
crucifixion left them ashamed, defeated of the hardest things to do. These days, more who had promised his Lord that he would follow work in the world.
and fearful. His presence with them than ever, nobody wants to wait for anything. him everywhere. And then, under threat, had The Holy Spirit touches people’s hearts. He convicts
again, in his risen form, completely It has to be instant. But the disciples were sworn he had never known him. them of their need, He reveals Jesus and makes him
transformed the situation. obedient. They returned to Jerusalem from the How bitterly he had regretted that denial, real to people.
He restored them as his friends. He trusted Mount of Olives, a day’s walk. and how graciously the risen Lord had restored The Holy Spirit constantly brings new life to the
them. He led them to the point where they him. Now, filled with the Holy Spirit, he is church. Otherwise it is just going through the motions.
were no longer dependent on his physical Increased number addressing this great festival crowd.
presence. Then, 40 days on from that glorious The disciples by now were joined ‘by the They have never heard anything Spiritual unity
Easter Day, he was parted from their sight. He women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his like it. ‘They have We need to ‘keep the unity of the spirit in
returned to his heavenly Father, in glory. brothers’. Indeed the number altogether now He tells them of the Lord never heard the bond of peace’ as the Lord’s work can
They were left on earth. What did they was 120. Jesus Christ, his miracles and be spoilt by gossip and division. Where
do? Well, they could have simply gone back For nine days they were patient and signs, and how he was put to anything there is unity the Holy Spirit can work. But
to their everyday working lives with amazing obedient. They waited, prayed, reflected, and death on the Cross. He goes like it’ he can be ‘grieved’ and can be ‘quenched’.
memories. prepared for what lay ahead. on: ‘God raised him from the There is nothing we need more today
Or, full of enthusiasm they could have Then came the Jewish festival of Pentecost, dead because it was impossible for than a spiritual awakening, the reviving
plunged straight into the mission their Lord had a holiday of thanksgiving and celebration for death to keep its hold upon him.’ power of the Holy Spirit, to inspire the church
committed to them - but making their own the harvest. Thousands of people poured into He concludes a powerful and challenging and to transform every part of national life.
plans, full of their own ideas, acting in their the city. address: ‘God made this Jesus, whom you It has happened at times in history. Are we prepared
own strength. It wouldn’t have worked. It was when they were all gathered there crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ for it to happen again?
The Holy Spirit can that the moment of God’s timing came for How do they react? They are ‘cut to the Wallace Boulton
turn a congregation Special gift those waiting believers. heart’. Those who accepted the message
into a church family,
sharing the love We can be thankful that they didn’t take either We read, ‘Suddenly a sound like the were baptised and 3,000 were added to their Bexhill Evangelical
of Christ, growing course. Instead they remembered his promise blowing of a mighty wind came from heaven number that day. The church was born!
together in faith, Your
caring for and shortly before his parting from them. He would and filled the whole house ... All were filled local Book Centre
encouraging one send them a gift his Father had promised. with the Spirit. There were what seemed to be Personal terms
another and reaching What was this gift they would receive? It tongues of fire that separated and filled the Jesus always referred to the Holy Spirit in Christian
out to those in need. Book Established since 1986.
Photo: Ben Clayton was to be God’s Holy Spirit. They obeyed the whole house...’ personal terms, never as an ‘it’ or a vague
Shop Wide selection of cards
available and good
selection of new and
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• Christian Books Orders taken if we don’t
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Contact:
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stpaulsfreechurchbexhill.org.uk Bexhill TN40 1DX

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