PENTECOST AGAIN!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised... John baptised with water, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5

Just before His ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised... John baptised with water, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5 NLT)

The disciples were told to stay in Jerusalem until they had been baptised with the Holy Spirit. They were not to leave Jerusalem until they received the power of the Holy Spirit. For ten days following Christ’s ascension, the disciples prayed with intense earnestness. They put away all differences and came close to one another in Christian fellowship.

“The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 37)

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached with boldness there in Jerusalem. “Those who believed what Peter said were baptised and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” (Acts 2:41 NLT) “The Holy Spirit did for them [on the day of Pentecost] that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 39)

Make no doubt about it! What happened in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, came about because the church was praying with intense earnestness for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Those first disciples of Jesus put away their differences, they came close to one another in fellowship, and they claimed the promise Jesus had given them— “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)

My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit, God stands back of every promise He has made.”— Ellen G. White

The good news for the church today is the Day of Pentecost is just ahead! “Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples.” (Desire of Ages, p. 672) “The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close.” (Great Controversy, p. 611)

This is why I say with conviction, “The best days of the Alberta Conference are just ahead!” Friend, will you join me in praying earnestly for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Pentecost 2025 is just around the corner. Please unite with others in earnest prayer for the return of Pentecost. Meet in homes. Gather online. Come together at prayer meeting. “My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit, God stands back of every promise He has made.” (Testimonies of the Church, vol. 8, p. 23.)

By Jeff Potts, President, Alberta Conference