Anticipating Pentecost

There was a real diversity of nationalities present and of languages spoken in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit enabled the believers in Jerusalem to engage with the diversity that they found in Jerusalem. As the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit they all began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. The Holy Spirit embraced the diversity of Jerusalem and gave the believers the tools they needed to communicate in and through that diversity.

But those diversities – of nationality and language – aren’t the only diversities mentioned. In explaining what God is doing at that time in Jerusalem, Peter speaks about a diversity of age and gender. Look at the passage that he quotes from the Book of Joel in Acts 2. 17-21 – there we find the Holy Spirit being poured out on everyone, young and old, men and women, so that all see visions, dream dreams and proclaim God’s message. This diversity of nations, languages, ages and genders speaks to us of the gates of heaven being flung open enabling all peoples to come in. Pentecost is the sign that God was pouring his Spirit on everyone and that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Now think about our situation here in Seven Kings and in London. Doesn’t it seem similar to the situation in Jerusalem? It certainly is if you think about the history of London. London has always been one of the world's great cosmopolitan cities. Throughout history, people have come from every continent and corner of the globe to live, to visit, and to mix. Today the city brings together more than 50 ethnic communities of 10,000 or more people. More than 70 different national cuisines are available and a staggering 300 different languages are spoken. That same diversity of ethnicities and language is also here in Seven Kings just as in London. The world is right here in Seven Kings and in London just as it was in Jerusalem.

Just as, at Pentecost, God poured out his Spirit on old and young, men and women, so we see a diversity to our congregation here at St John’s and also among the Churches of Redbridge. That diversity is given to us so that we can proclaim the message of God to people of every ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexuality and religion. And we need the Holy Spirit’s power, gifts and enabling to make that happen.

As the Early Church grew and as God’s message spread there were people who tried to restrict this wonderful new diversity. In the same way today, there are those in our society, like the BNP, who want to place restrictions on this diversity. The BNP are currently trying to convince people that they are persecuted like Christ. This is the ultimate irony because their message is the absolute reverse of all that Jesus taught and lived out in his ministry and death. In the coming European elections we must clearly reject the racist policies of the far-right in order to reflect and live in the diversity of Pentecost.

The Bishop of Barking says:

"On Saturday 7th March at the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod the strongest message possible was delivered to the residents of Essex and East London. We will not tolerate racist politics from the British National Party or any other party. We will co-operate with all organisation intent on ridding our society of racism. We call upon our major political parties to do all in their powers to address the social issues which provoke voters to vote for the BNP. We are proud to be members of the one human race with all its ethnic diversity which contributes to our rich and varied society."

For more on the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod resolution click here. Ekklesia reports that:

"UK Churches have issued an election pack, highlighting the threat posed by the BNP and urging community mobilisation to combat extremist parties ahead of the European Elections.

It comes after advertisements were produced by the BNP which featured Jesus Christ. There have been ongoing efforts by the racist party over the last few years to mobilise support around ‘defending Christian Britain.’

A briefing from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church highlights the ‘importance of citizenship’ and urges Christians to vote.
A new toolkit has also been produced by the three churches specifically ‘to help equip and affirm local church leaders to take action to counter far-right and racist politics’.

Methodist President, the Rev Stephen Poxon said: “Voting isn’t just a right - it is a privilege that carries great responsibility. A high turnout at the ballot box is good for democracy and society and will make it harder for extremist parties to succeed.

“The European Union directly influences many aspects of our lives,” added the Rev John Marsh, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church. “The European Parliament is the only EU body elected by its citizens, and it is a powerful and important legislature for all 27 member countries.”

The Rev Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said, “The toolkit for local church leaders is designed to help equip ministers and lay people alike with ideas and information about what they can do to counter racist politics. The appropriation of Christian language and imagery by the BNP is deeply offensive – we need churches across Britain to live out a faith that is open and inclusive, rooted in a commitment to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.”

The briefing and toolkit are available online at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/jpitpolitics."

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The Specials - Doesn't Make It Alright.