A Powerful Presence

LIVE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

Fifty days after Passover was the celebration of Pentecost! Jesus chose this feast in the Jewish tradition to welcome the arrival of the Spirit. The symbolism should not be missed. Jesus became our lamb of sacrifice. His blood was shed for our covering in the Passover. His presence is felt in the festival of harvest, and the celebration of the giving of the Law, the Word given to humanity! 

Pentecost commemorated when Moses descended from the Mountain of God with the commandments that would guide their lives and bring justice for victims. It was also a time of thanksgiving for God’s natural provisions, through the offering of the first fruits of the harvest. With the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost a new symbol was offered. The New Covenant was instituted by Jesus and confirmed by the Spirit as followers of Christ received the Holy Spirit for the first time. Over 3,000 received the gift of the Spirit on that special day. 

The promise of God’s Spirit given to all people was a prophecy from Joel, “It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh” (Acts 2:17 NKJ). This was made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJ). His promise to disciples was, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19 NKJ).

The gift of the Spirit is the experience of the resurrection. From the deadness of sin in our lives we are resurrected to life in Christ. Paul declared that this experience makes us a new creation! It is a result of His Powerful Presence! All things become new in Jesus!


Theme passage:
“Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too. So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you” (John 14:19-20 TPT).