The Day The Church Was Born

 Jesus promised baptism of the Holy Spirit, forty days after His Resurrection: "You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, in just a few days," they were told. What joy and expectancy must have filled their trembling hearts. Just before Christ ascended into heaven, He told them to wait in Jerusalem for this momentous occasion. He had already appeared to many believers after His Resurrection, one here, a couple there, and one occasion He showed Himself to 500 at one time, but ten days after He ascended to heaven on that special feast of Pentecost, 120 faithful followers were waiting together for the momentous occasion when Christ would "baptize them with the Holy Spirit.
 That first day of Pentecost was The Day The Church Was Born. The Holy Spirit was given, they were all baptized into one Body, the Body of Christ. Until that point they were quite fearful, but on that day the Church was born, they were all filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and began to witness with great authority and joy.
 On that first Pentecost, it was Christ Who baptized that little group of believers with the Holy Spirit Who became an indwelling reality. Paul tells us that from this point forward, it is the Holy Spirit Who baptizes every new believer into the Body of Christ the moment they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Our United Prayer:
Loving Father, thank you for Your Word and for Your understanding. Thank You that we have been baptized into the Body of Christ by Your Holy Spirit and that He now lives in us forever. What a mystery that You should take up permanent residence in our weak and frail bodies, but we praise Your name for all Your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all Your children. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN.