John 19:30 says, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit.” At that point, the price for our redemption was paid. Nothing else would ever be needed. NOTHING. Not our good works, thoughts, ideas, or theology. The price was paid for eternity!
Yet, today in Christian circles, as well as other religions, we often still try to add to what Jesus has done for us. We often couch it in religious-sounding phrases that, I suppose, makes us feel better about ourselves.
Just Believe it.
We first must know what this Scripture says and then we must believe it. Believe it enough to act on it. Live by it. Believe it enough to quit trying to add to what Jesus has done for us. Trust Him enough to obey it.
Two Great Events.
There are two great events in the New Testament that never have to be done again. Jesus dying on the Cross and the Day of Pentecost. Just as the Cross provides total redemption for those who believe and trust Him, so Pentecost is a one-time event where the Holy Spirit was poured out to empower God’s people to be able to work with Him and extend His Kingdom to the ends of the earth. Each believer can have his own personal Pentecost by receiving the outpoured Spirit today.
Each believer has the Spirit of Christ in his regenerated spirit (Romans 8:9). At the new birth, the Spirit came to live in him and he was placed in the Body of Christ in unity with those who were already in it. But that does not mean that he automatically received the Baptism in the Spirit.
Before He ascended back to Heaven after His resurrection, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Which was fully manifested on the day of Pentecost. Both of these experiences have life-long effects on our lives by changing us and enabling us to have a relationship and fellowship with Jesus as we are doing His work on the earth.
Even though these are one-time events their results last a lifetime and for eternity!
Have you experienced both of these?