Pastor’s Corner “We Experienced the Spirit-filled Life”

Last Sunday, I suggested a new name for Pentecost: God’s Family Re-Union. This was the day God fulfilled his promise to reunite humanity with himself and create a new, diverse community united in Christ. Forgiveness made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus, and union made possible by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The result is personal renewal flowing from

re-union with God and resulting in caring, barrier-dissolving community. I pointed to the conclusion of Acts 2 as true evidence of the Spirit-filled life:

And [the 3120+ baptized believers from all nations] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:43-47)

Later, as we ate together in the Nave, I realized we were experiencing the Pentecostal, Spirit-filled life described in these verses! After two worship services devoted to the apostles’ teaching (Scripture and preaching), breaking of bread (Holy Communion), and prayers (liturgy, music, and prayer), we enjoyed fellowship and received our food with glad generous hearts. What a genuine, spiritual joy!

And I want to point out that our lunch together was a wonderful example of “having all things in common.” Thank you to everyone who brought food and drink to share, and for your gracious flexibility as we pivoted from an outdoor to indoor picnic. All of this was made possible, of course, by the excellent hospitality of Kathleen Harding and the Fellowship Committee and the hard work of Scott Ankers and the Set-up Team. I am so grateful to all the volunteers who brought this event to life.

This upcoming Sunday, Trinity Sunday, we will celebrate another aspect of unity as we honor the communal nature of our Triune God. Our Creator is revealed in Scripture and creed as an eternal, interpersonal, divine community, each person distinct, yet an undivided union – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, loving, listening, responding to each other. And being created in the image of the Triune God means that we also are created for community. We cannot be fully human apart from communion with God, and communion with others. This communion is made possible by the Pentecostal reality of last Sunday – re-united to the Father by the Son’s sacrifice and through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Join us this Sunday as we “worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, or dividing the Substance” (The Athanasian Creed).

Your Pastor in Christ,