Shavuot

HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERMENT

(June 16, 2025) Dr Richard Winter reminds us of a special day…

June 8 saw many churches celebrating Pentecost— rejoicing about that first outpouring of the powerful Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter as recorded by Dr Luke in Acts 2.

Pentecost
Now Pentecost was originally a Jewish celebration observed 50 days after the first day of Passover. This harvest festival celebration was also called the Feast of Weeks and Shavuot.

For Christians that Acts 2 Pentecost is significant because it marked the beginning of the Christian church and our Holy Spirit empowerment to spread the message of Jesus… and to move in spiritual power (1Corinthian 12:8-11).

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ALL OF A SUDDEN— WITHOUT WARNING!

(June 06, 2023) Robert McQuillan shares… and challenges!

‘Without warning’ sounds like some disaster has happened suddenly! No… I’m not going to tell you about something terrible about to occur, but remind you of something wonderful that came out-of-the-blue and is still changing the lives of so many. Something that happened suddenly— and in the most unusual way!

It’s Penetostal Sunday tomorrow, a day that is traditionally recognised and celebrated with joy by many churches worldwide, particularly Pentecostal and charismatic ones. Indeed pastors of these churches and their congregations use to expect ‘fresh moves of the Holy Spirit.’ Sermons would highlight the gift and blessings of the Holy Spirit… prophetic words would flow, people would be prayed for, healings would occur, reassurances would come to trouble hearts… and more! Sadly such prominence and expectation for Pentecostal Sunday has dwindled.

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PENTECOST’S FIVE ‘C’S

(June 3, 2022) Robert and Maureen McQuillan bring a challenge to both Christian leaders… and so-called ‘ordinary’ Christians.

Shavuot or Pentecost, the Hebrew celebration of the Festival of the Weeks, is here. As mentioned in Christian Pentecost-the Feast That Never Ended  it was initially a special time of remembrance and celebration for Israel.

We Christians celebrate (or should) our Pentecost this Sunday! Our celebration is the good news that God’s love continued beyond that extraordinary Passover event we call Easter.

Our thoughtful God had a further free gift to giveto all who believe in His Son Jesus – the outpouring of His Holy Spirit! That powerful Acts 2 infilling of God’s Spirit as promised by Jesus meant (and still means)…

  • Enablement – praising God in that special prayer language called tongues.
  • Empowerment – serving Jesus in powerful ways and touch the world.
  • Enthusiasm – caring for/generously sharing with fellow Christians, ministries and missionaries needs (See Pentecost Sunday-Shavuot).
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CHRISTIAN PENTECOST – THE FEAST THAT NEVER ENDED

(June 1, 2022) Ed. Note: Honouring the late George Forbes, highly respected former missionary statesman, we rerun one of his special messages on Pentecost …

This weekend many churches and indeed countless Christians around the world will be celebrating Pentecost Sunday!

The Feast of Pentecost (also known as the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks) was observed by Israel over many centuries. It was an important time each year to celebrate the beginning of the early weeks of harvest with thanksgiving to God. Also a time to celebrate God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt.

After His resurrection from the grave, Jesus had given His followers a command to not depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. He told them: ‘John truly baptised with water; but you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’ (See Acts 1:4-5).

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‘UPPER ROOM’ GATHERINGS

(June 1, 2022) Brian Bell shares some precious and pertinent points regarding that first  Pentecost Sunday prayer gathering…

This short meditation is drawn from my recent re-reading of Luke’s Holy Spirit-inspired record in Acts chapters 1-2.

For those from a Jewish background, prayer was a regular and disciplined practice – often using ‘standard’ or written prayers – and this is a practice with which I would not disagree, while often we tend towards ‘spontaneous’ prayers.

Many years ago, I worked with a colleague from the Anglican tradition (Church of Ireland, based in Willowfield Parish, Belfast). In conversation one day he explained the ‘rationale’ for their prayer book, which among other things was to try and prevent error. I could not argue or disagree with anything he shared and indeed, having attended several Anglican services, I’ve found the practice of reciting or even using responsive prayers, quite refreshing.

I believe Luke, guided by the Holy Spirit, recorded for us the first prayer meeting of believers following the ascension of the Lord Jesus; and I share five pertinent reflections relative to ‘Upper Room’ Gatherings…

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