Pentecost Anticipated (John 14:16-17).

The Day of Pentecost was fifty days after the resurrection of the. Lord Jesus Christ. This was the day the Holy Spirit came from Heaven to Jerusalem to begin the formation of the  Church. The Lord Jesus foretold this event to His disciples just before His crucifixion.

“I will request the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may be abide with you forever; the Spirit of truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him  not, neither knows Him; for He dwells with you and shall be in you”. (John 14:16-17).

The three Greek prepositions are used to describe the relation of the Holy Spirit to believers. He is “with” them (meta) in verse 16.  This indicates the relation of their fellowship.  He dwells “with” them (para), that is along side them. This statement refers to the period when the twelve disciples of Jesus accompanied Him during His public ministry of three and a half years. “In” them (en) in verse 17 implies the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit from the time of conversion.