On June 7-8, 2025, Singapore Immanuel Church held its Pentecost Retreat with the abundance of Holy Spirit through the in-depth study of John 14 and 16, as well as on Acts 1 and 2.
Intern Pastor Deborah preached the opening service on Acts 1:6-8, which was entitled, “You Will Be My Witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the Ends of the Earth”. The sermon explained the meaning of Pentecost in the Old Testament as one filled with thanksgiving to God and presenting Him the firstfruits of the harvest. Jesus Christ is the firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20) which Christians have received and can always rejoice in the precious gift of Salvation. Apart from receiving the fulfillment of God’s promise for the Messiah to come, Christians are promised to receive power of Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and be the ones where God will continue the work of building God’s Kingdom.
Encouraging all attendees to listen carefully to the Bible lectures explicating on the Holy Spirit, Intern Pastor Deborah shared the Holy Spirit will be the Spirit of truth leading all attendees and to be the ones to be transformed by the Holy Word of God. The first Bible lecture was delivered by Intern Pastor Deborah on John 14:15-26, which was entitled, “I Will Not Leave You As Orphans; I Will Come to You.” In explicating the trinity of explaining the reason Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit each are necessary for Christians to understand the nature of God, the attendees were exhorted to deeply meditate on the precious gift of Holy Spirit given and not to quench the power of Holy Spirit, but seek to become holy temples that always seek to retain the gift of Holy Spirit.
After a fruitful lunch, the attendees gathered for ice-breakers. The ice-breakers began with looking at the Oxford definition of ‘comfort’. In considering the different ways that attendees seek comfort physically and emotionally, it was explained the gift of Holy Spirit brings more than just comfort only. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth that reminds believers of the deepest comfort in knowing God’s love (John 14:26-27), and the active work of sanctification of Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13-15). The final part of the icebreaker calls on the attendees to share one instance of the work of Holy Spirit in their lives.
The second Bible lecture was delivered by Pastor Leah primarily on John 16:7-15 and Romans 8:1-17, explaining the role and significance of the Holy Spirit. She explained that Pentecost marks the beginning of a new era in which the Holy Spirit was sent to dwell in believers. The Spirit convicts people of sin, reminds them of Jesus’ words, comforts, and sanctifies them. Pastor Leah emphasized the importance of repentance, recognizing spiritual warfare, and relying on the Holy Spirit for true transformation. She encouraged all believers to seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and to live with the identity and dignity of those saved and led by God.
The first day of Pentecost Retreat was concluded with a praise and prayer session after reflections were shared. In the Pentecost Sunday Service, Intern Pastor Deborah preached on Acts 2:1–13 for Pentecost Sunday, emphasizing the coming of the Holy Spirit as the birth of the Church and the fulfillment of God’s promise through Jesus. She explained that while Jewish Pentecost celebrates the harvest and the giving of the law, Christian Pentecost marks the outpouring of the Spirit to all believers, regardless of background.
The sermon highlighted that the Church is not a building but a people filled with the Spirit, called to be holy and renewed. The signs of wind, fire, and tongues signify life, power, and the universal reach of the Gospel. She concluded by urging believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit, live as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), and walk in victory each day through God’s power.
May God lead all attendees to be deeply renewed by the grace of Jesus Christ in delivering all from sins and deeply receiving the Holy Spirit to be empowered and sanctified of their sins, becoming His bold witnesses for the gospel to the ends of the earth.