And when the day of Pentecost had fully come - Pentecost 2009

And when the day of Pentecost had fully come. This is how the amplified Bible translates Acts 2:1 where the Greek word has the meaning of: when the day of Pentecost was completed. It was in Jerusalem 50 days after the resurrection that the disciples were all together in one place. Since the day of the Ascension they had been eagerly waiting for the for the Gift which Jesus had promised. "And suddenly" is how St Luke in Acts 2:2 decribes what happened next. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples had a great effect not only on them, but also on all those gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. There were Jews gathered for the feast from every nation under heaven and these people formed a multitude wanting to know what had happened.

The group of about 120 believers suddenly found themselves centre stage in the public realm because of what God had done in sending the Holy Spitit. There have been times in the history of the Church where the belivers have been compelled by the Holy Spirit to take the message of the Good News in Jesus out among the multitude. The late 1980s and 1990s were such days. This was the period when Graham Kendrick was composing his 'Make Way' marches. Two songs which we regularly use from the Songs of Fellowship book at our Sunday services are 'Make Way' and 'Shine Jesus Shine'. The 'Make Way' marches led on to the March for Jesus which took place in many towns and cities throughout the world.

For several years there was March for Jesus in Leeds. These really were days when we experienced something of a new Pentecost as we took the proclamation of Jesus out of our church buildings onto the streets of our cities. Led by our musicians and carrying our banners we went down the Headrow proclaiming "We call you now to worship Him as Lord of All". These words were taken from the title song of the first Make Way march.

We no longer have a March for Jeusus in Leeds, but the Holy Spirit is still coming to those who believe and compelling them to take the Gospel to the multitudes. The day of Pentecost did fully come in Jerusalem as recorded in the Acts chapter 2. However the work which results from the coming of the Holy Spirit is still being completed since we are commanded to proclaim the Lord's death (and this includes the resurrection of Jesus) until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).