In the Christian church calendar it is the third great Christian festival after Christmas and Easter. The name "Whitsunday" came to be attached to it in Europe because of it being a major occasion for baptisms and confirmations, when the candidates were clothed in white. Churches termed Pentecostal emphasize the baptism of the Spirit as an experience separate from water baptism, and evidenced by speaking in tongues.

What importance does Pentecost have for us today? Jesus promised his disciples that he would send another Counselor, Comforter, or Advocate, to take his place after he had ascended. Peter told the people in Jerusalem, "Exalted to the right hand of God, Jesus has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." (Acts 2:33)

What did they see and hear? They heard what God had done in Jesus. "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep his hold on him... God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact.... Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:22-24,32,36)

All those present were confronted with the claims of Jesus as Lord and Christ, evidenced by his resurrection and victory over death, and the compelling testimony of the disciples who appeared empowered and transformed by their experience of the Spirit.

The Spirit did his work, not only on the disciples but many who heard their testimony. Jesus said that when the Spirit comes, "he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me." (John 16:8,9)

When the people heard what Peter and the others had to say about Jesus they were cut to the heart - they were convicted of their unbelief, of their indifference, of their rejection of Jesus, and their complicity in his death. They said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

"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.' With many other words he warned them; and pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.' Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:37-41)

The message is still the same today. Jesus still comes amongst us in the power of his Spirit, and we must make a decision about him. Will we receive him as our Lord and Christ or reject him, or be indifferent to his claims? Do we see ourselves needing forgiveness? Do we see the world in which we live as corrupt, and are we part of it? We seek power to control our own lives, many seek power to control the lives of others. And we know that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

To be corrupt is to be dishonest, without integrity, infected, tainted, made bad by errors or alterations, or depraved. The Greek word used here is skolios, crooked, from which we get scoliosis, curvature of the spine. Isn't this a good description of our culture, our society - it is out of kilter, not in good working order. We are curved in upon ourselves - narcissistic. We need a redeemer. We need a new creation. We need the rejuvenating power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter tells us that we can be saved from this corruption, that we can be straightened out, put in good working order. It requires us changing our mind about Jesus, and accepting him as our Lord and Savior. It means changing our lives to follow him as his disciple. Repent simply means change, transformation.

We may already be baptized in the name of Jesus. We may have been baptized in our infancy. Our parents and godparents took our vows for us. Today we need to reaffirm those vows for ourselves. On the back of my Baptismal Certificate of August 12, 1941, when I was baptized in All Saints Church, Hokitika, there is this prayer:

"Heavenly Father, grant that this Thy child, having been received into the Family of Christ's Church, may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning, and may continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus' sake. Amen"

Some fourteen years later, after my confirmation, I came forward to the communion rail, at the end of a service, to commit my life to Christ on my own recognizance. I believed I received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and which changed my life for good. I re-enlisted into the army of God as Christ's faithful soldier and servant, and have been fighting the good fight, running the race and keeping the faith ever since.

What about you? On this Pentecost Sunday, why don't you commit your life to Christ, rededicate yourself to his service anew, and pray for the gift and filling of the Holy Spirit. If you haven't joined the church, this is a good day to do so - the birthday of the church. Join the thousands who accepted the message and were added to the church that first Pentecost Sunday in Jerusalem nearly two thousand years ago. Millions have done so since. Join the multitude which no one can number, whose names are written in the Book of Life, Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto their life's end.

END