The Whitsun Witnesses

21 Apr 2024 • Articles

Ascension Day this year is on Thursday 9th May, and the Feast of Pentecost, or Whit Sunday, will be celebrated on 19th May.

The first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, which is the fifth book of the New Testament, describes how Jesus spent forty days from Easter Day completing his teaching of the disciples, showing them that he had really risen to new life and preparing them to become apostles, people sent out to complete a special mission. At the end of the forty days of his resurrection appearances, Jesus ascended into heaven, returning to his place at his Father's side. The disciples might have been afraid to face the future without having the presence of Jesus with them, but Jesus had promised that he would send God's Holy Spirit to encourage them.

At that time, Pentecost was already a festival, marking fifty days after the Feast of the Passover. Every year crowds of pilgrims visited the temple in Jerusalem, making their early harvest offerings to God. On the day of Pentecost the disciples were in the Upper Room, probably the same room where Jesus had shared his Last Supper with them and where he had spoken to them again on Easter Day. They were talking about how Jesus had offered himself to God on behalf of everyone on earth as the one perfect gift, and how the only sacrifice which would ever be necessary now was the offering of grateful hearts full of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As the disciples talked and prayed together, wondering how they could tell others what they had learned from Jesus, suddenly they were filled with the courage and inspiration which only God's Holy Spirit can give. They went out into the busy streets, letting their burning love for God supply the words as they explained to all the people they met how much God loves all the people of the world.

Spend time talking and praying with other Christians, and Jesus will show you that he truly is alive. Share with your fellow-believers your thoughts about how faith in Jesus can be brought to others, and you will find that your life is open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.Read the Acts of the Apostles and discover more about the disciples as they worked bravely to bring thousands to believe and be baptised.

May you be filled with God's Spirit in this season of Pentecost,

Ann