“When they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Friends, what are we to do? ‘Repent’, said Peter,’ and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah; then your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far away, to everyone whom the Lord our God may call.’ ”
Acts 2: 37-39, The Oxford Study Bible, Revised English Bible with the Apocrypha.

What are we supposed to do? What do we do next? How many times have I heard those words! If it wasn’t from my brother and sister when they were children, it was from children in Sunday School, or from our own children, or from teens in youth group, or from adults in Sunday School or Women’s groups. And, I have asked those questions myself more times that I care to remember.

This is the part of the story of Pentecost (fiftieth) that I am the least familiar. Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter, or fifty days after Passover. It is originally known in the Hebrew scriptures as the “feast of harvest” or “feast of the first-fruits” and is now celebrated as the descent/visitation of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

In my experience, most of my learning and conversations around Pentecost have revolved around the story of that moment when the energy of the Holy Spirit became combustible and the apostles were filled with gifts that enabled them to “speak” and be understood. And not coming from a Baptist tradition, I was shocked to discover the “Repent and be baptized” part. I am so excited that I revisited this scripture!

And the interesting thing is that the more that I read this passage, the better that I like it. Peter is giving a wonderfully practical “how-to” answer to the question, “what do we do next?” After all the chaos and movement of the Holy Spirit in that gathering of the apostles, that energy has to have a focus, be perpetuated and move forward. Goal, objectives, and strategies in tandem with mission/purpose.

Here's how. Peter tells us to first, Repent and second, be Baptized. The results. Forgiveness of our sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a very simple formula.

The problem with formulas is that we expect them to be very difficult. We expect the test to be terrible. We expect Chemistry to be hard. We expect Algebra to be difficult. That is if one is as challenged in mathematics and the sciences as I am. If not, then it’s a piece of cake………or is it? What is it about repentance and forgiveness and receiving/acceptance that makes life and faith so difficult for us?

The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology states it this way: “ In scripture, however, repentance (metanoia) implies acceptance of the challenge to human beings to respond to God’s call in Jesus Christ that they ‘repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand’. This response consists of a turning away from a life of rebellion, inertia or perversity, and a turning to God in Christ with faith. In this context repentance is not a single act, but an ongoing responsiveness to the will of God, a continuous experience made possible through the gift of grace…The genuineness of one’s repentance is demonstrated by actual changes in actions, thoughts and feelings; through one’s evaluation of their life in the light of scripture, through honesty in confession, and through receptivity to forgiveness. Thus does repentance enable a person to grow ever closer to God in Christ? “(Lewis R. Rambo, The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1983, p.499.)

I think that it is the “receptivity” to forgiveness that makes life the hardest for us. Pentecost has to do with our hearts and the energy and receptivity and our capability for passion-for-God/Christ. Even when we are most closed and tied up with emotional rubber-bands, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that can blow through us and loosen up our hearts for God’s purpose. The most exciting thing is that the promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit is something belongs “everyone whom the Lord our God may call,” however we best understand or express that. Baptism is a promise not only of the Holy Spirit, but of the community of faith as well. We are all heirs of that promise. Pentecost is our legacy to share. We just need to discern how we best move forward, together.

We hope that you will enjoy this issue of ecumininet™ online! as our writers explore where their lives intersect in that movement of faith, of promise and of Pentecost. We are always delighted with your responses and suggestions, and continue to look forward to receiving them. Write to me and let us know what you would like to see in our next design and where you (or someone you know) would like to become involved!

Janine C. Hagan, Editor-in-Chief

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