by Alan Langstaff

For those churches that follow the Christian Calendar, together with those who don’t, the two most neglected Holy Days in the Christian year are:

1) Ascension Day – which is 40 days after Easter, and
2) The Day of Pentecost – which is 50 days after Easter.

Whilst some countries in Europe celebrate Ascension Day and have a public holiday, it is not normally celebrated in the USA, either as Christians or in the Media.

Let’s look at those two days.

ASCENSION DAY

This is the day Christ ascended to heaven 40 days after Easter.

In Acts chapter 1, we have a record of what happened on the first Ascension Day. Assembling together with His disciples, Jesus commanded them to do two things:

1) They were to remain in Jerusalem – once again, the significant events occurred in Jerusalem.

2) They were to prepare themselves. They were to wait for the promise of the Father: “for John [the Baptist] truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5 NKJV)

Then followed a short interaction regarding the time when the Kingdom would be restored. Jesus pointed out that it was not for them to know – the Father knows the times and the seasons.

He then goes on to declare the coming of the Holy Spirit. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)

Now, after He spoke these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
While they looked steadfastly to heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel. 

These men (angels) declared, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 NKJV)

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. They entered the Upper Room. Then they all continued in unity, in prayer and supplication. They were to prepare themselves to get ready for the promise of the Holy Spirit.

It is interesting that much attention is given in the church today to the coming of the Savior (i.e., Christmas time), but little or no mention is given to His leaving. One important lesson we can learn from all this is the need for “preparation.” Even when we, like the disciples, do not know exactly what God is planning to do.

DAY OF PENTECOST

So they continued praying and waiting for the next 10 days. Then the Day of Pentecost came, and they were still united in one accord in one place. They stayed together and waited and prayed. This is a lesson in itself.

Suddenly, then came a sound from heaven of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then appeared to them divided tongues of fire and one sat upon each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

This began the Church and their witness of the Gospel that would go out to the ends of the earth.

Thus, we have the original description of how and when the Holy Spirit is given to the disciples. A description of how and when the Holy Spirit fills people.

PREPARATION FOR WHAT’S NEXT

Next week, we will look at the 5 incidents in the Bible that describe people being baptized in the Spirit. All have given us ideas regarding how this happens. If you want to prepare yourself for this, then look at the 5 incidents:

  1. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)

  2. The Samaritan Pentecost (Acts 8)

  3. Saul (Paul) (Acts 9)
  4. The Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10 & 11)
  5. 
The Ephesians 20 years later (Acts 19).

We will look at two things in the story:

a) What was their spiritual condition when they were baptized in the Spirit?
b) What actually happened?

CLOSING THOUGHT

In looking at the incident in the book of Acts, it is obvious how people prepared themselves, even when, like the first disciples, they didn’t know for sure what was coming. The example of the first disciples that following the command of Jesus spent 10 days in prayer and preparation until it was all fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.

The call to preparation is important. It seems that God always prepares for what He has promised to do.

Noah spent years preparing for the flood to come. How he must have wondered all through that time, how long would it take, what was going to happen.

Likewise, in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, God prepared the way by sending John the Baptist to prepare the way. When God calls us to wait and prepare, let us do just that and be ready when God begins to move.

So in waiting and praying, they prepared themselves to receive the Holy Spirit.