Why Neglect the Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Stephen Selbourne, Cape Town – Jesus left us a “programme”, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Why in heaven’s name do we neglect such a gift?
God sent us his Son, and the Son sends us his Spirit.
“They all began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance,” the Acts of the Apostles recalls about the first Pentecost.
Fearful men were filled with confidence, determination, effectiveness, godliness, holiness and readiness to die. No other programme can be a replacement for God’s Holy Spirit. Teenagers and adults preparing for Confirmation must be in the “Upper Room”, praying and waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as the first disciples did.
It is definitely not a programme about receiving a certificate and feeling free to leave the Church, returning only to get married or rolled into church in a coffin.
Even Jesus received the Holy Spirit, as it were, and surrendered the Spirit only at the final stage of his missionary journey (“He gave up the Spirit and died”). When Jesus read the words of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”, his mission was confirmed.
The Holy Spirit is the action of God, and will activate and transform every person desiring his presence.
The book of Acts continues, the Christian mission and the mission of Jesus continue — and souls are saved.
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