In the United Kingdom, there are what are called Professional Institutes. These Institutes are formed originally by qualified and experienced people in their respective professions. Over the years, some over a hundred years, they became very popular and respected in the UK and the former colonies.

For instance, there are The Institue of Commercial Accountants; The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants; The Institute of Chartered Accountants; The Institute of Certified and Corporate Accountants, and The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators to name a few. One becomes a member of an Institute after a series of exams and after a period of practical experience on the job, they become members of that Institute and can use their letters.

Even with all the training and exams and experience, the Institutes still print magazines to further encourage the development of members in their professions and are there to help their members if needed and can also offer pieces of advice, if necessary.

Leaving their members on their own puts them in positions where some members become outdated and inefficient and their performance may damage their reputation.

It is so with doctors, nurses, electricians, lawyers, and numerous other professions. They all have their Professional Institutes or Associations.

One can rightly allude that the disciples were being trained by Jesus. My mind goes to The Sermon of the Mount for starters. The many lectures by our Lord, the many miracles He performed, not forgetting the raising of the dead, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension.

One will think that the disciples had been well trained to perform the duties Our Lord had given them. They, eleven of them, were, as recorded in Luke 16:15 to “go out to the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.”

Our Lord, however, knew better. It was obvious to our Lord that the disciples were incapable of carrying such responsibilities. Jesus knew the world was largely a dark place with bribery and corruption the order of the day; man inhumanity to man was rife. Even the chief priests were shamelessly in on the act. Leaders were dictators and some like Caeser were regarded as Gods and worshipped.

The disciples needed help. So in John 14:26, Jesus promised, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

On the Day of Pentecost, God fulfilled His promise. The Lord Almighty worked wonders. Thorns of fire came down and rested on His disciples' heads and the frightened men were emboldened with Per, who denied our Lord there times, led the pack. Just that morning, after Peter`s wonderful sermon, a witness the world had never seen. That day, reports Acts 2:41, about three thousand were added to the believers.

From that day things were never the same. The disciples boldly went out to preach the Gospel and to baptize men and women everywhere who believed.

We on this side of history know how much the world has changed but looking at what is happening now, we who are believers know we have a lot more work to do. There is too much hatred in the world today, too many people cannot afford the basic necessities of life. The rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer. Rampant dishonesty and corruption to the extent that many look at evil with relish. Satan seems to be having a field day - but alas, all these are for a short time.

Today, Pentecost, reminds us, however, that our Lord assured His disciples then and all those down the ages in John 16:33, “In the world, you may have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Are you worried and anxious?
Are you afraid?
Are you sad?

Many things going on now – the hatred that can drive a person to strangle another innocent human being with glee in broad daylight; the devastating effects the coronavirus disease is having on our world today; the forty million people who are unemployed; the effect of the lockdown on people and in general the uncertainty of the future.

With all these going on, it is natural to be anxious, worried, and afraid; but be of good cheer, the Holy Spirit He sent on Pentecost will give you the peace which passes all understanding and by His Grace, all will be well. Amen.