The Bible reports that on Shavuot, the day on which the Jewish people remember the receiving of the Torah, the followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit. What does this mean?

On the fiftieth day (Pentecost), the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot, is to be celebrated. The number 50 stands for union. According to rabbinical tradition, on the 50th day after the first Passover, Israel received the revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai. They promised to do everything that the Lord had commanded them (Exodus 19:8). They were to be a people of priests for the living God (Exodus 19:6).

Just as God appeared to the people of Israel in fire when he gave them the law (Exodus 19:18), God’s new law (Jeremiah 31:31-33 / Ezekiel 36:26-27 / Romans 8:2) was made visible on Shavuot in Jerusalem through tongues of fire.

Peter explained to the astonished spectators that the prophecy of Joel 3:1-2, 5 was being fulfilled, in that all could receive God’s Spirit.

This enabled them to live a holy, Spirit-led life and to be His witnesses.

God’s Spirit gives us a new perspective on God and our fellow human beings. We are in a constant process of change.

God is not distant, but works in and through us.

Jesus’ disciples now understood God’s work and told of God’s great deeds (Acts 2:11).

The Bible describes how people experienced God and what he showed them. It does not philosophise about what God might be like.

Faith without biblical history becomes philosophy instead of theology.

The different perspectives make the picture more complete and therefore more credible.

Peter puts it in a nutshell in 2 Peter 1:16: ‘We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.’

Paul writes to Timothy: ‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’ (2 Timothy 3:16).

The understanding of church has changed. Alternative models are currently being proposed. But church is more than just a meeting place for generations. In our church, we have discussed what motivates us to attend church services.

First and foremost is the presence of God. Jesus promised in Matthew 18:20 that he is among us. Something in the church service speaks to us. We are encouraged by conversations, singing together, prayers and friendly encounters.

For us, the focus is the Bible. Looking at the contexts and backgrounds opens up a new perspective on God, the world and ourselves.

The third point is the exchange after the service. Seeing each other regularly, asking questions or praying for challenging situations is a help for everyday life. Sometimes you get a advice on who you can turn to. Continue reading What motivates the church service →