Third Person, Perfect

On Saturday, our church hosted a party for the neighborhood.

Saturday was also the day before Pentecost Sunday.

I arrived at the party a bit early and several members of my church family were already there.

I greeted everyone and joined a group of my friends.

Our discussion turned to Pentecost Sunday.

A friend shared an observation that churches, generally speaking, have their largest attendance on Christmas and Easter.

He added that Pentecost Sunday is also an important day in the church calendar, but attendance is not as large when compared to attendance on Christmas and Easter.

Of course, the next logical question to ask is, "Why?"

"Why?" is one of those questions whose answers are typically subjective.

They are often based on people’s observations.

That said, I offered my response, but before I share it, let’s take a look at the other two days first.

On Christmas and Easter, we celebrate the birth and resurrection of Jesus, respectively.

I once heard a minister refer to these days as the "annual Christian pilgrimages" simply because church attendance is higher then.

Pentecost Sunday, however, celebrates the Holy Spirit.

I personally believe that He is the least understood Person of the Trinity.

Generally speaking, when you ask people about God, the first Person of the Trinity, they can usually tell you about several of His attributes,

Similarly, when you ask them, about Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, they can usually tell you about a few of His attributes as well.

Ask them about the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, and the results are noticeably different.

A majority of the time they can tell you very little in comparison.

So, who is the Holy Spirit and what is Pentecost?

On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and other followers (Acts 2) and some remarkable things happened.

There came a sound from heaven like a violent wind that filled the entire house.

Next tongues spread out like a fire that came to rest upon each one of them.

Then each was filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in different human languages.

This was the beginning of the Church.

Devout men from every nation were nearby.

They came and were amazed because each heard them speak in his language.

Even then, just as today, there were many who misunderstood the Holy Spirit and what He did among the believers.

Acts 2:7-8 (NET) - Completely baffled, they said, "Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that each of us hears them in our own native language?"

Today, many still are unfamiliar with the attributes of the Holy Spirit.

What are some of His attributes?

The Holy Spirit helps us to recognize both our sinful nature and our need for salvation.

The Holy Spirit then leads us to Jesus for that salvation.

The Holy Spirit helps us accept Jesus as our savior.

The Holy Spirit then assures us of our salvation and transforms our lives.

The Holy Spirit helps us lead fruitful lives and also helps us witness to others.

The Holy Spirit helps us comprehend the truth and also provides us with a combination of comfort and strength.

These are but some of the ways that the Holy Spirit influences our lives.

The Holy Spirit, like the Father and the Son, cannot be completely understood by human minds.

We should, however, be receptive and responsive to His leading.

This will not only enrich our lives, it will help us to enrich the lives of others.


Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 7, 2013.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 14, 2013.
Schedule subject to change.