Celebrating Pentecost!

Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the release of His power. The Holy Spirit came to make Jesus real in our lives, manifest the power of heaven, Bless us, and meet our needs (1 Samuel 10:6; Acts 1:8; Revelation 3:20). It isn’t enough to only believe in the Holy Spirit or to learn about the Holy Spirit, but to experience the Holy Spirit and His visitations in our lives, i.e., prophecy, dreams, and visions, healing, tongues, etc.

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.’ Acts 2:17 – 18 (NKJV)

The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word for fifty, but the Hebrew name is Shavuot meaning weeks or sevens (Exodus 34:22). Shavuot is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Christ’s resurrection, which is the fiftieth day after the waving of the firstfruits, which coincided with the feast of unleavened bread (Leviticus 23:15 – 17). Pentecost was celebrated for hundreds of years before it’s fulfillment in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended, manifesting with tongues of fire and power, and the church is born (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4). Pentecost is the second of three great biblical feasts called feasts of the LORD and God’s appointed times. It is where God meets with His people to do some significant things in their lives, i.e., appointments with God.

1. Passover is for God to redeem His people. Jesus is our Passover lamb (Exodus 12; John 1:29).
2. Tabernacles is for God’s glory to dwell with His people. Jesus came to us and dwelt or tabernacled among us (John 1:14). Many Bible scholars believe that Jesus was born at Tabernacles.
3. Pentecost is for God’s provision. There are three levels of provision.
   1. Physical provision – firstfruits of the wheat harvest (Leviticus 23:10-14)
   1. Provision of Revelation – the Torah was given at Mount Sinai
   1. Provision of the Holy Spirit – poured out in Acts 2.

Pentecost is a time to be thankful for the past provision and secure a new harvest by faith. It was celebrated by praise and offerings, i.e., burnt, grain, sin, fellowship, and free will. The key offering was firstfruits because of the wheat harvest, and it secured His provision for the year. We are also thankful for God’s Word and the open heavens that pour out His blessings (John 1:50-51; Malachi 3:10). For the church, Pentecost is the feast of the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in a variety of ways. He can come as a gentle dove (Matthew 3:16) or gentle wind blowing, a breath of God breathing on us (Genesis 2:7; John 20:22). He can come as a forceful wind, as in Acts 2. The wind of God is invisible yet tangible and blows into our lives to bring hope and transformation (John 3:8). He comes as peace. He comes like a river with life, healing, power, and provision (John 7:38-39). He may come as fire (Acts 2; Isaiah 64).

We don’t get to choose how the Holy Spirit manifests Himself, but we need to recognize Him however He comes, so we don’t miss what He has come to do and wants to do. Don’t miss His visitation. We open our hearts to Him and welcome Him. He displays the presence of God during times of prayer, worship, ministry, and whenever He chooses! He will come when we ask Him and wait upon Him (Luke 11:13). When you sense His presence, welcome Him, thank Him, enjoy Him and respond to Him.

The Holy Spirit wants you to experience the pleasure of His company so you can get to know Him intimately. He gives us revelation, brings physical or emotional healing, encourages and refreshes the weary, assures us of the Father’s love, and empowers us to be victorious in our lives and witnesses to those around us! We have been given a Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18), and a great harvest of souls is coming. We need the Holy Spirit’s grace, anointing and power as we partner with Him to carry this out.

We can still experience the fulfillment of Pentecost by receiving the Holy Spirit into our lives (Acts 2:37-39; 8:12-17; 19:1-6)!

Check out the following blogs for more information on the Holy Spirit:

Holy Spirit – Spirit of God – Living the Abundant Life (alexiscarucci.com)

Holy Spirit – Indwelling Presence – Living the Abundant Life (alexiscarucci.com)

Holy Spirit – Promise of the Father! – Living the Abundant Life (alexiscarucci.com)

Holy Spirit and His Gifts – Living the Abundant Life (alexiscarucci.com)