The Daily Refresh
a blog for christian mums
health - nutrition - faith - lifestyle
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit,That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,That I love but what is holy.
- St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
- Acts 2:1-4
The coming of the Holy Spirit marks a significant shift from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Holy Spirit has always been with God's people, but this was the first mass outpouring of the Spirit. Before this, the Spirit was poured out on individuals for specific purposes (Moses, Joshua, Samson, David, Elijah and others) but not en masse. The Holy Spirit was poured out in the Upper Room to allow the continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ and the birth of the Christian faith. This outpouring has a specific purpose, and it isn't about us as individuals. The Holy Spirit was poured out to give God's people power to continue Jesus' ministry and to be witnesses to the Gospel, bringing the message of hope and salvation to the ends of the earth. This promise continues with all believers today (Acts 2:17-18). But we must be careful not to treat the Holy Spirit as a magic trick. Miracles and signs become possible through the Holy Spirit, but this is not for our glory, this is for the glory of God! We must treat the Holy Spirit with reverence and respect. He is not a novelty; he is part of the Trinity and must be treated with the same respect as we treat the Father and the Son.
