Pentecost and the Church- Acts 2:41-42

Traditional calendars emphasize the importance of Pentecost by providing propers for Monday and Tuesday of Pentecost week as well as including the early summer Ember Days on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. In thinking about Pentecost, many have called this feast "the birthday of the Church." Although one might trace the birth of the Christian Church to the beginnings of  Jesus' ministry and the calling of the Twelve, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples really marks a new beginning. We see this in the first verses of Acts 2 read at the Communion service on Pentecost. 

Unfortunately, we sometimes forget or ignore the rest of the story as it continues in Acts 2. There we see that Pentecost has specific and tangible results, not just for individuals but also for the community of believers, the Church. Peter as spokesman for the apostles and other disciples preaches a sermon. He proclaims the gospel of the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. He calls for repentance, faith, and baptism. The responses to this sermon are individual, but the results are manifested in the believing community. In Acts 2:41-42, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Thus, we see several basic characteristics of the Church, characteristics which have continued and will continue through history. These characteristics are preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian Baptism, apostolic teaching and fellowship, the Eucharistic meal, and basic and daily prayers. In these verses and the characteristics they describe, we really have a basic Christian catechism. We see the concrete results of the descent and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We see what the Church is and what it does. Of course, there is much to contemplate, and there are innumerable applications. There are many sermons, discussions, written volumes, and personal developments, but the basics are clear. So during this week, let us recall the basic workings of the Holy Spirit and renew our dedication to be open to them!