God's Grace, Mercy, and Peace are yours through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
The text for today's sermon is found in the second reading, Acts 2 6-8, and 12: "And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each us in his own native language?'...And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?'"
"So how do you know that you really have the Holy Spirit?" This question came up in one of my many conversations with Pentecostal friends over the years. Pentecostal churches believe that in order for someone to prove they have the Holy Spirit, they have to be able to speak in tongues. To prove a person is a "true believer". It seemed simple for my friend. When the Church began, people spoke in tongues to prove the work of the Holy Spirit. So the Church should speak in tongues today to prove the work of the Holy Spirit.
Now, there is no doubt about the fact that Pentecost was a spectacular event. There was a mighty rushing wind that everybody heard and felt. Fire which didn't consume rested on the heads of the disciples. And they were able to speak in languages which they didn't know. Languages which the Jews who had gathered for the festival DID know and could understand. It was an amazing event. It's the beginning of the Church, when Christ's promise that the Holy Spirit would fill all those who believe in Him comes to fulfillment.
This does make us wonder if something so amazing didn't happen to me, does that mean the gift of the Holy Spirit wasn't given to me? Shouldn't my experience look the same as those first Christians? Shouldn't all Christians be able to share that experience of the first Christians? Because, otherwise, how can we truly know that we, too, have the Holy Spirit?
God promises it. To all who believe and are baptized as Christ commands. He promises it.
After the speaking in tongues, Peter proclaims the death and resurrection of Jesus. And the people are cut to the heart; convicted by the sermon. So they ask Peter what they could possibly do. And Peter tells them what goes does. He says, "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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. God calls them to Himself in baptism. He promises them forgiveness. He promises them the gift of the Holy Spirit. For them and their children, and generation after generation. How can we truly know that we, too, have the Holy Spirit? Because God promises it.
There are churches out there which are very spiritual and talk a lot about what the Holy Spirit does for them. Speaking in tongues. Giving them visions about what the future holds. Breaking out into uncontrollable dancing and laughter. But just because something looks spiritual, doesn't mean it's necessarily from the Holy Spirit. There are many spiritual forces working in the world today. Many are the work of Satan designed to lead us astray; away from Jesus.
A better question to ask is how do we know the work of the Holy Spirit compared to all the other spirits out there? Because the Holy Spirit has a unique purpose. True, that first Pentecost was spectacular. But look at the end goal. The end goal wasn't the spectacular rushing wind or fire or speaking in tongues so that everyone could understand. The people are left scratching their heads wondering "What does this mean?"
The most spectacular part was that people were brought to faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, crucified and risen for the sake of the world. That the mighty works of God in Christ Jesus were proclaimed. That the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were proclaimed. And the Holy Spirit brought sinners to saving faith in Jesus.
In the same way, we have the Holy Spirit because God promises this to be true. He made this same promise in your baptism. God saved you through the washing of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit. By baptizing you into the death and resurrection of Jesus. Burying your sinful nature into death with Jesus. Raising you to new life in the resurrection of Jesus.
And the Holy Spirit is still working because the Gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is still proclaimed. Here and throughout the world. Wherever the Holy Spirit is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in its purity and truth.
And we pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to shape and mold us to bring to completion the Faith that God began in us so many years ago. Not for our own glory and good. No, to point to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Because Jesus is Lord! To Him be all glory, honor, and worship now and forever! Amen!
May the peace of God which surpasses all worldly understanding guide your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting! Amen!