ⓒ 2017 WATV

Jesus Christ was resurrected three days after dying on the cross. After forty days, He went up to heaven in front of His disciples. The saints of the early Church, who witnessed such amazing work of the Ascension following the Resurrection, gathered together and prayed hard. On the Day of Pentecost which came ten days later, they received the Holy Spirit and boldly testified about Savior Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of the Holy Spirit Movement of the early Church; thousands of people received the forgiveness of sins in one day, and the gospel was preached not only in Israel, but even in foreign regions.

On May 25, 2017, the Ascension Day Service was held in the Churches of God worldwide to commemorate Jesus’ Ascension. Ten days later, the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost was held on June 4.

Ascension Day: grace of ascension in complete rebirth

The Ascension Day originated from the work of Moses in the time of Exodus. After keeping the Passover, the Israelites were freed from Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. On the 40th day after crossing the Red Sea, Moses went up to Mount Sinai in obedience to God’s will. This is the history of the Ascension Day in the copy. Mother gave thanks to Father for giving hope of ascension to mankind who is bound in the chains of death by setting an example of Ascension. Mother also prayed that all the children would be changed and reborn to become humbler and have more beautiful characters as heavenly citizens.

ⓒ 2017 WATV

The members at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple on the Day of Pentecost

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol’s sermon was in accordance with Mother’s prayer: “Just as Jesus put down His heavenly position and glory, humbled Himself, and sacrificed for the salvation of mankind, we can achieve perfect love with no hatred, jealousy, or disrepute, and be clothed with the grace of resurrection, ascension, and salvation, when we humble ourselves and serve one another.” He added, “Let’s have hope for heaven and cheer up, even though we have hard times living our lives, because eternal life and blessings are waiting for us in heaven. Let’s have confidence as the ones who will enjoy all the blessings recorded in the Bible. Let’s preach the amazing news of salvation to all nations,” (Ac 1:6–11; Ro 12:9–21; Mt 20:26–28; Lk 14:7–11).

From that day evening, the Prayer Week of the Pentecost began. The brothers and sisters asked for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit every morning and evening, and strove to preach the gospel, headed by the working young adults who had started carrying out preaching festivals nationwide before the feast began.

The Day of Pentecost: humility clothed with the Holy Spirit

The brothers and sisters throughout the world, who prayed earnestly and preached passionately during the Prayer Week for ten days, had the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost in joy and excitement, hoping that the work of the Holy Spirit in the times of the early Church would reoccur.

The Day of Pentecost is the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. It was the fiftieth day after crossing the Red Sea, when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament by pouring down the Holy Spirit on apostles on the fiftieth day after His Resurrection.

ⓒ 2017 WATV

Through the morning service, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol wished that the Holy Spirit would come upon the whole world abundantly on the Day of Pentecost. He explained why Jesus poured down the Holy Spirit 2,000 years ago that it was to let the disciples fulfill His words which He left when He ascended, “Be My witnesses in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” “Just as vines can bear fruit when the branches receive nutrients from the roots, we must also be clothed with the Holy Spirit which God gives us in order to get the prosperous gospel results that are prophesied in the Bible. Let’s preach the word in season and out of season with the power of the Holy Spirit, and go toward the blessings that are prepared for us,” he said with emphasis (Ac 2:1–41; Jn 15:1–5; Ps 19:1–6; Jer 3:17–18; Isa 60:1–5).

Mother Herself delivered a sermon for the afternoon service. Mother emphasized that humility is an essential virtue for God’s people who will enter the royal priesthood in the kingdom of heaven: “Love, reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity come from a humble heart. Being clothed with the Holy Spirit God has given us today, let’s get rid of pride and stubbornness, and be reborn with humility and beautiful faith, so that we can receive a rich welcome into heaven” (Mic 6:6–8; Ecc 3:12; 1 Pe 5:6; 1 Co 12:12–27; Php 3:19–21). The members, who renewed their faith while keeping the feasts and received the blessings of the Holy Spirit, expressed their determination: “We will humble ourselves and work together in unity just as the apostles in the early Church did, so that we can accomplish the work of the Holy Spirit.”