pentecost
2009 June 3
this past sunday marked the day of pentecost in the Christian church. i think the lack of celebration or discussion about it could liken it to such american holidays as earth day, groundhog’s day, and arbor day. i am surprised at how “un-celebrated” this day is on Christian calendars, in sermons, and among the community of believers. it is, after all, the day the disciples were “baptized with the Holy Spirit, (acts 1:5). maybe the phrase “baptism with the Holy Spirit” causes most denominations to stray from speaking about it because who wants to be associated with charismatics? (that was sarcasm for all you charismatics that feel offended.) anyway, random thought of the day.
Good point, Calhio. Pentecost certainly is a red-letter day in the history of the Christian church. Could it be that it isn’t well understood in connection with its Jewish roots (Shavuot)? Or just not well understood in general?
I agree with Bex. It’s simply not well understood within today’s church. I discovered this when I tried to hold a discussion on the significance of this particular day, but then realized that you cannot really discuss that which others have no base knowledge to build upon. So I gave up (which, looking back, I wish I hadn’t). It is simply difficult to hold a discussion like that, because it turns into a borderline lecture.
Perhaps you can help me, how can we take connections and incorporate them into discussions without simply taking over and lecturing? Can it be done?