Receiving a gift is exciting. One of the biggest gift-giving days is Christmas. We focus on giving gifts as we celebrate, regardless of our beliefs.

God’s gifts are the blessings we so often need. His gifts come as a miracle or an unexplained happening. They can happen to you, me or anyone.

But there is a gift that God will only give to those who confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God hath raised Christ Jesus from the dead.  

For Christians, Pentecost is a reminder that the power of God is given to every believer. The gift is the Holy Ghost.
In the second chapter of Acts, Peter quotes the prophetical message of Joel 2:28-32 as being fulfilled on the 50th day after the death of Jesus.  

Now, Peter and the other 120 men and women in the upper room were of the Jewish faith. Jesus came to unite all nations to God regardless of them being Jew or gentile, bond or free, male or female.

God’s plan is still working to bring every believer in Christ Jesus to their full power through receiving the Holy Ghost.

This power is meant to help everyone who believes in Christ become a follower of His teachings, be a witness for Him, have the power to endure as a Christian and have life more abundantly.

When we examine the event of Pentecost, one thing is apparent: There were no gentiles in the upper room at the out pouring of the Holy Ghost. God however did intend for gentiles — non-Jewish believers — to receive this same power from the Holy Spirit.

In the 10th chapter of Acts, God dealt with Peter about receiving those whom he would never thought to be worshippers of God.  God is no respecter of persons; there always was a place for non-Jews in God’s plan and has included gentiles throughout the Bible.  

In the 10th chapter, we see all limits being done away with and Cornelius and the gentiles of his household receiving the preaching of the gospel, the Holy Ghost and water baptism. What a marvelous gift from God.

All nations, all people, everyone can truly be a part of God’s family and receive the gift of power to live an amazing and abundant life.  Everyone can receive the power to fulfill their destiny and answer the call of God.    

The challenge is to come to know the fullness of God when we receive His gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit of the Old Testament is the Holy Ghost of the New Testament. God is a spirit, and every believer who will truly worship Him will worship Him in spirit and truth.

Ayala is pastor of the Christ Tabernacle of Faith Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance