Pentecost: Plunging into the Depth of the Promise
Speaker: Pastor Caleb Chiu
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To be a disciple, there is a non-negotiable rhythm throughout God's Word. The order of death, burial and resurrection is the divine pattern that He has set.
Baptism is the means by which God uses to turn death to life; it is the public declaration that we make to choose the path of life and become a new creation. Not only are we taken out of the world when we are baptized, but we are, from that moment on, purchased to God.
Throughout scripture we see the power of water and the promise that God has declared - anything that goes through His water that is not nailed to the cross WILL die. The flood brings destruction to sin and marks a fresh start for humanity, with the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove, signaling new life. When God takes the Israelites out of bondage in Exodus, he parts the Red Sea and drowns out all the powers sent against His people so that they may be free. The stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jonah, Peter and David all echo the pattern of God using water to turn death into life and resurrection. Water is what God uses to cleanse and redeem His people, and change the physical for His purposes.
When Jesus came, He asked to be baptized to humble Himself and identify with all of us, who need baptism to be free. When the dove comes on Jesus, it is a signal of transition, a passing of the mantle to become the High Priest; His baptism fulfills all righteousness and sets the path for Jesus to baptize His disciples with the Holy Spirit.
When the disciples are baptized on Pentecost, it is again an echo of the promise that God intended from Genesis - only this time, they were baptized with fire from Jesus. Water cleanses, but fire purifies. Fire sets us apart, opens our eyes to Him and signals His presence. When we are baptized, we don't just obtain life, but become life-giving. As the disciples were plunged in the depths of their heart and given new life, they then set forth to spread His fire to the world.
Holy Spirit, may you baptize us. May the headwaters from Heaven break open and engulf our hearts today. In this season of transition, may we recognize that we are not only being redeemed, but also sent forth; we are consecrated so that we may partner with You to spread Your fire to our city and break the strongholds of the enemy. May we receive the Holy Spirit so that we may release life to those around us. Amen!