The Power of PentecostIhe Atụ

Pentecost had a purpose. Whenever God comes and manifests His presence and miraculous power, there is always a purpose. But it is not often the purpose we expect or even desire. When Jesus gathered His disciples together at the time of His ascension, He reminded them of the reason they were waiting. In addition, He described to them the purpose of Pentecost.

The disciples were focused on power, but it was a misplaced appropriation of power. They wanted to know if Jesus would now overthrow Roman rule and set up an earthly kingdom. They still understood Messiah as the one who would bring back the “golden age” of Israel, establishing a kingdom like that of King David’s. The Messiah was a descendant of David, so they thought He should rule Israel. The only way the disciples could understand Jesus’s reign was through an earthly kingdom. But just as Jesus explained to Pontius Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world, Jesus now told the disciples that the focus of the promise in which they were waiting was not about any earthly kingdom. There would be an earthly kingdom, and Jesus would reign over it, but the promise of Pentecost was about power—power for a different purpose.

Jesus said they would receive power. In fact, He told them the Holy Spirit Himself would come upon them. Imagine that for a moment… the third Person of the Triune God was going to come and fill them with His presence, and as such, with His power.

That is an amazing thought.

In the same way, it is equally amazing to realize that Jesus has promised to dwell in our hearts by faith and to continually fill us with the Holy Spirit as well. It is beyond comprehension to realize—and live out of—this incredible truth.

Sometimes we misunderstand the intent of this power of Pentecost—just as the original disciples did. We think—or perhaps hope—the purpose of God’s power at work in our lives is to enable us to fulfill our desires and accomplish our plans. We want a kingdom erected in which we will benefit and be significant. Jesus makes it clear the purpose of Pentecost is far different, however. The purpose of God's promise to receive power through the Holy Spirit is never “me-centered.” It is always “Jesus-centered” and for “those who need Jesus centered.” Jesus said the purpose of Pentecost was so His followers could be empowered as witnesses unto Him, all over the world.

This mission is the purpose of Pentecost.

It is why we receive power as the Holy Spirit fills us. There is a world full of people who need to hear and see the message of the Gospel. Some are right next to us and some are far away and hard to reach. The purpose of Pentecost is to fill believers with the Holy Spirit so we can testify—in effective power by what we say and how we live to people everywhere—the wonderful truth of our glorious Lord.