THE CHURCH’S BIRTHDAY

June 3

Bible Reading: Acts 2:1-13

Acts 2:1-2, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”

Few things are as precious and beautiful in this world as the birth of a newborn child.  Following months of anticipation, family members and friends rejoice in receiving the news of the baby’s entrance into the world, and rightly so, for life is a gift from God.  Nearly two thousand years ago, the church was born, and we’ve good reason to celebrate that!

God birthed the church in dramatic fashion.  It was in fulfillment of Jesus’ promises, for He had previously told His disciples of His plan to build His church (Matthew 16:18).  He had also repeatedly spoken of the coming of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 25; 15:26; 16:7, 13; Acts 1:4, 8).  It was through the miraculous working of the Spirit that the church was born.

It was not by accident that hundreds of thousands of Jews and proselytes, “from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5), were there on that day.  They had come from afar, from many nations, to celebrate Shavuot, a festival that happens exactly seven weeks after Passover (“Pentecost” is a Greek word meaning “fiftieth”).  The multinational audience would soon take the news of what happened to faraway places.

What happened on that day?  The Spirit came and filled the Apostles so that they could speak in other tongues, such that those hearing could hear in their own language. According to Acts 2:6-7, the crowd was “bewildered” and “amazed and astonished.”  The Apostles did not speak in gibberish, but in known languages, and they did not speak of mundane matters, but of “the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11).  “And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others mocking said, ‘They are all filled with new wine’ (Acts 2:12-13)?”

Thus, the Spirit worked to set the stage for Peter’s first sermon, in which Peter would boldly proclaim the truth regarding Christ.  Three thousand souls responded unto salvation, and thus the church was born.  And God has been working ever since to add to their number (Acts 2:47), just like He did with you.  That was also a work of the Spirit when He convicted you of your sins and opened your eyes to the glory of Jesus!  It was likewise a cause for great joy when you were “born of the Spirit with live above into God’s family divine.”  And made to be a dwelling place of Him (1 Corinthians 6:19)!

“When the great promise of the Spirit was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, it was fulfilled not in reference to the apostles only.” —Charles Hodge

HEAVEN CAME DOWN
O what a wonderful, wonderful day.
Day I will never forget;
After I’d wandered in darkness away,
Jesus my Savior I met.
O what a tender compassionate friend,
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy i am telling
He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus:
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.
When at the cross my Savior made me whole.
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day.

Born of the spirit from life of above
Into God’s fam’ly divine,
Justified fully through calvary’s love,
O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner i came,
Took of the offer of grace he did proffer-
He saved me, o praise his dear name! [Chorus]

Now, I’ve a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time;
I have a future in heaven for sure,
There in those mansions sublime.
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross i believed
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From his precious hand I received. [Chorus]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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