Last Sunday I got up in church and excitedly proclaimed to everyone that today is Pentecost. However, just as one of my friends had wished me happy birthday a week to early this year, so too did I remind my church about Pentecost a little too early this year. So, to be clear: This Sunday, the 23rd of May 2021, is the day of Pentecost.

Since this day marked the birth of the church almost 2000 years ago, I thought it would be appropriate to write a short blog about its meaning and significance for us as Christians today. Before we can fully appreciate the significance of Pentecost we need to first consider some key feasts and promises leading to Pentecost.

Christ’s promise to send the Holy Spirit

The Jewish people celebrate many feasts throughout the year. One of those feasts is the “Feast of Tabernacles.” During this feast they live outdoors for seven days to identify themselves with their forefathers and to remember God’s provision in the desert for forty years (Lev. 23:33-44).

Before 70 AD, when the temple was still standing, the priests would carry water from the pool of Siloam to the temple each day. This was done to remember God’s miraculous provision of water for the Israelites from the rock at Horeb (Ex. 17:1-7). On the last day of this feast, Jesus cried out to the multitudes and offered Himself to them as the Messiah, the fountain of living water (Jn. 7:37-39).

In case anyone was left to wonder what Jesus meant by “living water,” John inserted a parenthetical comment to clarify the meaning of Christ’s words. The living water was a reference to the Holy Spirit. Even though the Spirit had been actively at work through God’s people in the Old Testament, He had not yet come to permanently indwell His people (Jn. 14:17). According to Jesus, His indwelling ministry would only happen after His death.

Christ’s promise fulfilled at Pentecost

Jesus died during the Feast of Passover. Then, seven weeks later (50 days to be precise), came Pentecost. In Hebrew, this feast is called ‘Shavuot.’ This feast marked the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest. More importantly, the first Pentecost marked the beginning of the church. This is why we refer to it as the birthday of the church. Jesus established the New Covenant with His blood (Lk. 22:20; Heb. 8:8-12) and God the Father sealed it with His Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26).

Listen to how Spangler and Tverberg beautifully tie Passover and Pentecost together: “On Passover, God had redeemed them [Israel] from Egypt. Fifty days after their departure, God enacted His covenant on Mount Sinai to form Israel into a nation. The death and resurrection of Christ on Passover brought redemption to all who believe. And fifty days later, God poured out His Spirit to seal a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins.”

So, the fulfillment of the New Covenant as well as Christ’s promise to send the Holy Spirit took place on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Since space and time do not permit me to expound on all the details in this passage, I encourage you to go read Acts 2 in your own time this Sunday. However, I’d like to show you two reasons why Pentecost is still significant for you and I today.

We have equal position and privilege in Christ

The first reason why Pentecost is significant for us is because it reminds us of a key pillar of our identity in Christ. We are members of the church, Christ’s body (Col. 1:18). Regardless of whether you are married, divorced, or single, all Christians are members of His body (Eph. 5:30). At Pentecost 3000 Jews believed the gospel and received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Just as they freely received the Spirit, so to have we received Him as a gift through our faith in Christ.

We have all experienced Spirit baptism into the church (Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Cor. 12:13). Therefore, each one of us has equal position and privilege in Christ, irrespective of the color of our skin, our gender, our social status, or our title in church! Listen to what Paul told the Galatians, “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:27-28).

Every Christian has equal position and privilege in Christ, irrespective of the color of their skin, their gender, their social status, or their title in church!

We have enabling power to witness for Christ

The second reason why Pentecost is significant for us is because it reminds us of a key purpose for our salvation. God saved us in order for us to show and tell the world about Jesus. Yes, unbelievers can come and see what the church is like, but we have the responsibility to go out and tell others the good news so that they too can become members of Christ’s body. Thankfully, we have not been left alone to carry out the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus again promised His disciples that He would send them His Spirit. However, He also stated a clear purpose for sending Him to earth. In Acts 1:8, He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." So, one of the primary reasons that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit was to empower us to be on mission for God.

Remember your identity and mission today

As we come to the end of this blog, I want to challenge you to reflect on the significance of this year’s Pentecost for your own life. If you’re struggling in your walk with the Lord right now, let this Sunday be an encouragement to you. Remember that you have been given a precious gift in order to be part of the church and to serve God as His ambassador. Don’t grieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to use you to bring glory to God’s name and to further His kingdom here on earth.