The three outstanding pillars of Christianity are the miracles of the Incarnation, the Resurrection and Pentecost.
The three outstanding pillars of Christianity are the miracles of the Incarnation, the Resurrection and Pentecost. We commemorate the incarnation at Christmas, the resurrection at Easter and Pentecost is celebrated 50 days following Easter.
The crucifixion, the resurrection and Pentecost are inseparable. Each of these events was required for man’s complete redemption. Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the remission of sins; He was raised from the dead for our justification; it was Jesus who, “being at the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this [Pentecost], which ye now see and hear.”
Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples several times following His resurrection and they witnessed His ascending into heaven, assuring them of the promise of the coming Holy Spirit. [The Apostle John in chapter 7: 39 says that the gift of the Spirit could not be received until our Savior was glorified.] The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the 120 disciples on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2, and from that moment on the Apostles gave a prominent place to the resurrection in their preaching.
The cross opened the way to Pentecost by providing a basis for reconciliation and this qualified them to receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:17). Therefore, Pentecost is the greatest day between Christ’s resurrection and His return. Those who witnessed this wonderful out pouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost were so amazed they “said one to another, what meaneth this?” [Acts 2:12]. Experientially it meant that the disciples’ hearts were purified by faith [Acts 15:8-9].
Practically it meant that they had received the Holy Spirit to live, love, and labor [Acts 1:8]. Dispensationally it meant that the Holy Spirit had come to administer the provisions of Calvary. “He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; ….He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you [John 16: 13-14].
Both Easter and Pentecost have spiritual significance in the life of a Christian. Easter refers historically to the resurrection of Christ, while Pentecost refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit. Easter symbolizes life, while Pentecost speaks of purity and power.
In the fall, man was deprived of the Holy Spirit and became depraved in his heart. Man is “dead in his trespasses and sins” [dead means separated] and his nature is defiled and corrupted. Man’s deprivation resulted in his becoming more and more depraved, as matter of cause and effect. He stands in need of a double cure because deprivation and depravation both need to be dealt with. When God pardons we are justified; we are glad recipients to the life and light of God, and we are no longer separated from Him.
Man’s depraved, carnal and corrupt nature needs cared for as well. For this need God has provided cleansing and purging. This is the significance of Pentecost. Easter always precedes Pentecost, never follows it. So justification always precedes sanctification. We must be pardoned before we can be cleansed. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” [I John 1:9].
Sins must be forgiven; Sin must be purged; it cannot be forgiven. A sinful condition of the soul cannot be pardoned; it must be purged. Transgressions or acts of sin are forgiven when repented of but the unrepentant carnal nature must be cleansed.
Let us not find ourselves living between Easter and Pentecost. Those who would know the reality of being risen with Christ must first know the reality of being crucified and buried with Him. This is the price of one’s own cleansing, followed by a life of glorious victory as Jesus exemplified throughout His earthly life. May we enjoy the power of risen life in Christ [Col. 3:1-3].
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