The Glorious Disturbance - Understanding And Receiving The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

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THE MIRACLE OF PENTECOST

The disciples were regenerated, or born again, when Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20: 19-22). On that Easter Sunday, they received the inbreathed Spirit of the res urrected Christ; now they awaited the outpoured Spirit of the glorified Christ. Begotten by the Spirit, they sought the baptism of the Spirit. They followed the pattern of Jesus Himself, who, as the divine Son conceived of the Spirit, was later (at age thirty) baptized with the Holy Spirit. Their own baptism with the Holy Spirit would be the climax of Jesus' promised ministry to them. When would the Spirit come? Since Jesus had been crucified, buried and resurrected during Passover festivities, it would not be illogical for the disciples to think the Spirit might come on Pentecost. It was, after all, the first major festival since those critical days. And two of Jesus' clues had already taken place: They had returned to Jerusalem and several days had passed. But where would the Spirit come, and how? We will discuss both of these questions in the course of this chapter. The manner in which the Spirit came, though astonishing, is clear from the biblical record. The question of where the disciples and followers of Jesus were gathered is, however, a matter of some debate. Many Bible readers, accustomed to the "Upper Room'' idea, may be surprised to learn that other options are possible. I will discuss this in more depth later in this chapter, but consider for now that the location was a usual gathering place for the disciples, one in which thousands of people would have been witnesses, and one that they might have anticipated: the Temple. The magnificent Temple of Herod was an architectural wonder of that world. Conceived more for political influence than spiritual benefit, it was Herod's pride, Judaism's religious shrine-and a thorn in the flesh to the Roman government. Jesus spent much time ministering there, so every reader of the gospels is aware of the important place the structure occupied in His ministry. Since little is usually known of its grandeur and layout, it is worthwhile to pause and consider its construction. Numerous attempts have been made to reproduce this great building in model form. A recent book by Alec THE TEMPLE OF HEROD