Joel the prophet told of a day that God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people. The Lord promised that when the people return to Him and repent of their sins, He will forgive them: “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” (Joel 2:12-13). This attitude of reconciliation and repentance is followed by the outpour of the Spirit: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” (Joel 2:28-29).
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28)
The Spirit’s manifestation as prophesied by Joel came into fulfilment in the book of Acts: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”(Acts 2:1-4). On the same day, the church was born. Peter in his speech reminded the people of Joel’s prophecy and told them that, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”(Acts 2:21) as Joel had mentioned.
The message of Peter was received with repentance: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:37-41)
Pentecost day cannot be overemphasized. Do take part in the activities of your church to mark this day. May we be filled to the overflow even as we engage in the celebration of Pentecost day (the day the Holy Spirit arrived to lead the church). Guess what? He is still here. He is in you and He is in me. What a wonderful privilege.
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