6/12/11 Pentecost- Spirit of Holiness

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Pentecost- Jean Restout 1735

Thoughts: On Pentecost (which we are celebrating today), Peter was telling the people what Jesus had taught him- time to repent and be baptized.  When the Spirit comes, we want to get right with God- repenting of our sins.  We do not need to separate Spirit from the Law.  When we want to get close to God- through the Spirit, repentance is a key ingredient.  If you want to experience God in your life, it is not all about trying to experience God mystically- if we do not at the same time experience God as the Holy one who requires holiness.  The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit. His people are called to be a holy people.  Holy means separate; different; called out (ecclesia).  We are called to leave the world and to follow Him and his holiness. 

Prayer: Help me to leave my sin, inspired by your Holy Spirit.  Keep me from dry, dead law without your Spirit.  Keep me also from deceptive, misguided mysticism without your holiness.