iPads or portable computing devices seem to be all the rage nowadays. If you like technology, they can sure be a fun and beneficial device, enhancing our lives and work in amazing ways.
I love this brief video clip (in German but easily understandable in any language) about a daughter asking her father how the new iPad she bought him for his birthday is going … enjoy đ
Last Sunday was âPentecost Sundayâ (8th June), a significant day on the Christian annual calendar, yet one that tends to receive little attention, compared to Christmas and Easter. Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter and is a celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church of Jesus Christ. Just like your personal story is much bigger than the time between your birth and death, in that you have roots and heritage reaching further back in time and hopefully a future legacy lasting beyond your lifetime, so our story as a church reaches back to our beginnings and into the future beyond our time as each generation continues to carry out the purposes of God. It is important to remember our faith tradition not merely with a sense of nostalgia about the âglory daysâ but rather as a foundation for the dreams and visions God desires to give us for today.
The word âPentecostalâ is not used much in our contemporary culture and due to peopleâs various backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, there can be many stereotypes and caricatures about Pentecostals. For instance, one recent visitor to one of our church services told me they didn't find CityLife very Pentecostal. Initially, I thought maybe they didn't sense enough of the activity of the Holy Spirit but I discovered that what they meant was that they didn't find the service âemotionally manipulativeâ. As you can imagine, I was glad!
The word âPentecostâ comes from the Greek word pentekostos, which literally means âfiftyâ. Pentecost was one of three pilgrimage festivals or feasts celebrated by the nation of Israel in the time of Moses and it was celebrated 50 days after Passover (Lev.23:16). It was also known as the âfestival of weeksâ (in Judaism it is called âshavuotâ which means âweeksâ). It was primarily a harvest festival and a time of great joy. It is first mentioned in the New Testament on the occasion of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Jesusâ disciples, which was 7 weeks after the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:1-4). It became an important day for the church, marking its birth.
Modern Day Pentecostalism emerged in the early 20th century fuelled in part by a revival at Azusa Street in Los Angeles that began in 1906. It was primarily a renewal movement within Christianity with a special emphasis on personal experience of God, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Unlike many Evangelicals (some of whom are referred to as âCessasionistsâ), Pentecostals believe that all of Godâs work as recorded in the book of Acts is for today, including speaking in tongues (other languages), healing, and prophecy. Today there are over 500 million Pentecostals and Charismatics (evangelical denominations or believers who have embraced the work of the Spirit since the 1960s) around the world.
10 Characteristics of Pentecostal Churches
Here are some general characteristics of Pentecostal churches. It should be noted that some of these aspects are not limited to or the exclusive domain of Pentecostals.
1. An Emphasis on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings the church into existence and gives it life (Acts 2:1-4). The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, is really the Acts of the Holy Spirit done through the followers of Jesus in the first century. The entire Christian life (as well as church life) is meant to be done with and through the Holy Spirit. All people (men and women, young and old) can receive and minister the gifts or abilities that the Spirit gives for the benefit of others. This requires continual awareness (look) and attentiveness (listen), hence the importance of a prayerful life. Both the Spirit and the Word, as contained in the Scriptures, are vital to spiritual life.
2. A Passion for World Evangelisation. The Holy Spirit came upon those early believers to empower them to be witnesses for Jesus, not just to give them a personal experience (Acts 1:8). The Spirit enabled them to carry out the great commission (Matt.28:18-20) of taking good news of Jesus to the world, whether through personal evangelism church planting, social action or foreign mission work. Unfortunately, those first believers were slow to embrace this priority of outreach. It actually took persecution to get them out of Jerusalem and to other places (Acts 8:1-3). Eventually, they took the gospel to the then known world, with churches at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3) and Ephesus (Acts 19:26) leading the way.
3. A Heart for Compassion Ministry. In the first church, there were no needy ones among them, as people reached out in practical acts of compassion (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37). Helping the poor and needy was a high priority (Gal.2:10). Modern day Pentecostalism began among the lower socio-economic strata of society with many uneducated and marginalised people being filled with the Spirit. Over the decades, it has spread to more middle and upper class groups of people. Thankfully, there has been a shift recently, with a growing heart for the poor and needy emerging in Pentecostal churches. The Gospel is to be shared both in word and deed. Jesus himself went about âdoing goodâ (Acts 10:38).
4. Expressive Praise and Worship. The first believers praised God with joy (Acts 2:46-47) and singing was a regular part of their church services as an expression of the life of the Spirit (Eph.5:18-20). Modern day Pentecostalism has been characterised by joyful praise and intimate worship, with voices raised, hands lifted up, and with a sense of celebration and vibrancy in the singing, which is less formal, liturgical or sombre than some church traditions. God is with us and we can experience him through the Spirit.
5. Cultural Relevance. From the very moment of the Spiritâs arrival, believers were empowered to speak the good news of Jesus in languages that the listeners understood (Acts 2:5-13). The core Gospel message doesn't change but our language, as well as the methods and means of communication we use, need to adapt to each audience. The apostle Paul even quoted local Greek poets as a means of connecting with philosophers and pagans in Athens in order to build as bridge to share the Gospel with them (Acts 17:16-34). Each new generation has different ways of communicating, including language, musical style, church facilities, and use of technology. Pentecostal churches have often been on the forefront of communicating the Gospel in culturally relevant ways.
6. Visionary Church Leadership. Although the Spirit filled all the first believers, he also used leaders such as Peter, James and Paul, along with elders, to provide leadership and direction to the churches. Pentecostal churches are often led by individuals with strong vision, as well as the ability to motivate people, rather than by bureaucratic structures. They are willing to take risks to advance the cause of Christ and tend to embrace a pioneering mode (âletâs create the futureâ) rather than a maintenance mode (âletâs preserve the pastâ). Of course, accountability and proper governance is vital. Isolated authoritarian leaders cause dysfunction, often leading to abuse and hurt and disillusioned people. Jesus calls us to a servant leadership style that empowers others and understands the wisdom that comes from many counselors. Character (fruit) is the vital foundation of Charisma (spiritual gifts).
7. Generous Giving. The feast of Pentecost included the bringing of a voluntary offering to God in proportion to the recent harvest. In the same way, the first church was characterised by generosity, something that pleases God (2Cor.9:7). Many Pentecostal churches have taught and modelled generosity. Or course, our motive is not to âgive to getâ but one that sees blessing as a âby-productâ of generosity.
8. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals believe that the baptism of the Spirit is available for all followers of Christ and is an experience that can occur at or subsequent to conversion. In the narrative of the book of Acts we read that the primary evidence of this infilling was the ability to âspeak in tonguesâ or other languages. This personal prayer gift is for the benefit of personal prayer and building oneself up (1Cor.14:1-4. Jude 20), as well as boldness to witness (Acts 1:8). This experience is not necessary for salvation, it is not a mark of spiritual maturity (1Cor.13), and is not for use in public church services when outside guests are present (1Cor.14:22-25). All Christians have the person of the Holy Spirit living within them but the baptism of the Spirit adds another powerful dimension to the believerâs life and ministry. The apostle Paul spoke in tongues frequently, showing its benefit (1Cor.14:18).
9. Prophecy. Another indicator of the Spiritâs infilling is the ability to prophesy, which is a speaking out of the heart and mind of God, as prompted by the Spirit. This was a normal part of the life of the first church (Acts 2:17; 19:1-7) and of Pentecostalism around the world today. To prophesy literally means to âbubble upâ, indicating the movement of the Holy Spirit on our spirit, either in the form of a whisper, a prompting, an impression, a vision or picture, or a word. God still speaks today â to individuals and to churches. Prophecy today is not authoritative on the level of inspired Scripture, but must be taken seriously by both testing and responding to it accordingly (1Thess.5:19-22). Generally speaking, prophecy is for personal encouragement, strengthening and comfort (1Cor.14:1-4), not direction or rebuke.
10. Prayer for Healing and Miracles. The first church was born in an environment where God healed and did supernatural things (Acts 2:43; 3:1-10, etc). Pentecostals believe that God still heals and does miracles today. He sets people free from the work of the enemy (deliverance from demonic strongholds). God intervenes in human situations, bringing about change. Not everyone was healed in New Testament times (1Tim.5:23. 2Tim.4:20) nor is everyone healed today. This is not necessarily an indicator of a lack of faith or sin in a personâs life. We live between the ânowâ and ânot yetâ of the kingdom. Already (ânowâ) Jesus has conquered Satan, sin, sickness and death but ânot yetâ do we see the full enactment of that victory, which will occur at the return of Christ, when there will be no more crying, pain or death (Rev.21:4). Pentecostals need a theology of suffering to allow for those âif not âŚâ moments (Dan.3:17-18), while believing that Godâs grace and comfort are always more than enough for whatever we may go through. Our job is to pray and believe; Godâs job is to heal and to move by his power.
Pentecostalism is part of my story and it is important to remember our roots and our faith tradition. Embrace that unapologetically, while walking with humility, understanding that none of us has all the truth. We all see and know in part (1Cor.13:9-12). I love the entire church â ALL of Christâs body, including anyone who calls Jesus âLordâ (1Cor.12:3), be they Baptist, Anglicans, Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists or Presbyterians. We are not in competition with each other! Thankfully, we are living in a time when âlabelsâ are less important and relationships (with Jesus and each other) are becoming more important.
Fresh Empowerment
King David was anointed with oil three times – as a shepherd boy, as king over Judah, and eventually as king over all Israel. Each anointing involved a further empowering of the Holy Spirit in his life. The author of Psalm 92 (possibly David) said, âI have been anointed with fresh (or fine) oilâ (Ps.92:10). Sometimes we need an oil change. We need a fresh touch of the Spirit on our lives. The apostle Paul would later write to the church at Ephesus, âBe filled with the Spirit âŚâ (Eph.5:18). The present continuous tense of the Greek phrase âbe filledâ literally means âbe continually filled âŚâ Position yourself to continually receive the ongoing infilling of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry. After all, it is impossible to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is really the life that Jesus lived back then lived now by His Spirit through me. May each of us experience a fresh Pentecost in our lives at this time!
Reflection Questions
1. When did you first hear the word âPentecostalâ? What did it mean to you?
2. What has been your experience of Pentecostal Christians or churches? Think about both positive and negative experiences, if there have been any.
3. Itâs been said that if we have âthe Word without the Spirit we will dry up, the Spirit without the Word we will blow up, while with the Spirit and Word we can grow up.â Reflect on the importance balance between the Spirit and the Word.
4. The natural tendency of every church is to become inward focused. How can we continue to fuel a passion for evangelism and outreach in our personal lives?
5. There is a lot of âend timesâ hysteria around today in some circles, with a focus on the immanent return of Christ. How can we live ever ready for Christâs return yet with the wisdom and foresight that he may not return in our generation (and therefore being busy with the work of the kingdom, which includes creation care and social justice)?
6. Reflect on your experience with different forms of church services, including various styles of singing.
7. Consider the concept of âcultural relevanceâ. How can irrelevant cultural packaging hinder the reception of the Gospel by the listeners?
8. Much has been made about the âprosperity gospelâ â the belief that God wants everyone to be rich and that if people would give generously God will make that a reality for everyone. How can we develop greater faith to be generous givers while not degenerating into a giving that is only motivated by personal gain?
9. What has been your experience with church leadership over the years? Reflect on the different approaches that different cultures have in the way they relate to leaders. Take time to pray for the leaders of your church, that God will watch over them and their families, as well as give them wisdom, courage and faith to lead the church forward in Godâs way.
10. What has been your experience of the baptism in the Spirit?
11. What has been your experience with prophecy (either giving a prophecy or receiving one)?
12. Read 1 Corinthians 13:9-12. How should this affect our attitudes with Christians from other churches and denominations?
13. In what ways can your small group live out and express all of these aspects of Pentecostalism?
14. Which characteristic are you personally most passionate about?
15. Take time to pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit in your own life.
Recommended Reading
The Century of the Holy Spirt by Vinson Synan
The Beauty of Spiritual Language by Jack Hayford
Pentecostal Theology: A Theology of Encounter by Keith Warrington
Pentecostal Spirituality: A Passion for the Kingdom by Steven J. Land
Pentecostalism: A Very Short Introduction by William K. Kay
Jeremiah 2:25. Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? MB
A good friend of mine baked some bread a few weekends ago and forgot to put the yeast in on the first attempt. It didn't rise, even though all the other ingredients were there. One missing ingredient can prevent everything from working well together.
In life and ministry, that ingredient is faith - full trust and confidence in God. No matter what you are facing or going throuygh right now, add some faith to it. God is with you and he is at work in ways we dont often see at the time.
Hebrew 11:6. It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. NLT
Life seems to be getting busier, faster, and more complex. Before you know it, you can feel tired, stressed, exhausted, and just plain out of breath. Thatâs why itâs so important to pause frequently – just to breathe. Maybe you feel âout of breathâ (exhausted or gasping for breath) or even winded. Take some time to âcatch your breathâ (which means to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one). Learn to âbreathe freelyâ, experiencing relief from tension, anxiety, tension or pressure. Breathe in Godâs Spirit. Be refreshed.
Breathe
No one I know really takes time to stop and think about his or her breathing. Yet, each day we take about 26,000 breaths. Thatâs about 14,000 litres of air. We should breath from our stomach not our chest ⌠but when we are stressed, distracted, or moving too fast we donât breath properly. We need only around 4-6 breaths a minute but most of us take around 16-20. Experts tell us that 99% of our energy should come from our breathing BUT most of us only access 10-20% of that available energy. [See Nooma 014 Breathe for more]
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters (Gen.1:1-2). The Hebrew word for âSpiritâ is ruach and it literally means breath or wind (see John 3:6-8). God is Spirit â breath, in contrast to idols who have no breath, because they are lifeless. God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into him and he became a living being â a soul or person (Gen.2:7).
Every human being is made of (1) dust (Hebrew adama from which we get the name Adam) and (2) divine breath. We are both dirt, and therefore fragile and vulnerable, and sacred breath, crowned with glory and honour (Ps.8:5). Divine dirt clods â what a paradox! You are a sacred creation of God and so is everyone and everything around you.
When God sends his Spirit, life is created. A baby takes its first breath and life begins. The breath you just took, the one you are taking now, and the one you are about to take â all come from God. The last thing we do is take our last breath. When God takes away ruach (breath) all living creatures die and return to dust. Life is breath and its absence is death. We are totally dependent on God – for breath, for life (see Num.27:15. Job 12:10; 33:4; 34:14-15. Ps.104:29-30).
In the new creation, Jesus breathes on his disciples and they receive the Holy Spirit â the breath of God (John 20:22). The church is the gathered people of God, coming together in relationship, with the Spirit of God breathing His life in and through them (Ezekiel 37:4-5). On the day of Pentecost, the church was born, as God breathed into his people the life of His Spirit (Acts 2).
Breathe IN Breathe OUT
God himself gives life and breath to everything and he satisfies every need ⌠God is not far from anyone of us. For in Him we live and move and breathe (Acts 17:25-28). Physical breath is a picture of divine reality. Naturally, we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. What do you need to breathe OUT? Are there some things you need to leave behind? What do you need to let go of? Whatâs going on inside of you today? What are you: angry, anxious, concerned, bothered, or stressed about? Breathe OUT â worry, fear, discouragement âŚ
What do you need to breathe IN? Let God in â the Spirit without limit! The Spirit of God can live within us bringing us life (Romans 8:9-11). The Spirit sanctifies us – purges, cleans out. What we need is as close as our breath. God is here right now and all the time. We are on holy ground. Breath in Godâs life, joy, peace, faith âŚ
On Mission
Sometimes people pit the contemplative life against the active life. But both are important – who we are and what we do, breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in is about spirituality and character formation while breathing out is also about mission with Christ. Our being and our doing should not be separated. Robert Mulholland says that following Christ with no application to mission is like inhaling and not exhaling. Likewise, if we are constantly doing without being we run out of breath and are forever exhausted.
Spiritual formation and mission are to be connected and complimentary. Our greatest priority is the cultivation of a personal spiritual intimacy with Christ. This is the only way to maintain vitality and the endurance needed to continue successfully in work of God. Spiritual disciplines such as solitude, silence, study, prayer, including praying in the Spirit, and reading Godâs Word releases a rich flow of the Spirit into our life. There are many changes that happen in life of believer and one of the most important is the shift from being self-centred to God centred. Our hope is that we can be transformed by the grace of God and in turn be instruments of change and transformation in the lives of others. As we do that, we will see our vision of 10,000 stories of transformation become a reality.
The apostle Paul speaks of us carrying a fragrance with us wherever we go (2 Cor.2:14). What is our breath like? Does our daily life draw people to Christ through an attractive aroma of grace? Or do we have such a bad breath that people are put off and turned away?
Sample Reflection Questions
1. How is the pace of your life right now? Do you feel adequately challenged, over-challenged or under-challenged? What adjustments could you make?
2. Reflect on a time when you were âout of breathâ. What did it feel like? How did you deal with it?
3. When you feel tired, drained or down, what replenishing activities do you find most helpful to fill you up again?
4. What are some things you need to breathe OUT right now? Things that are weighing you down or that you need to let go of?
5. What are some things you need to breathe IN right now? What aspects of Godâs Spirit could you do with a greater experience of in your personal life? Is it peace, joy, love or courage?
6. God calls us to be thermostats not thermometers. In others words, we are to influence our environment not just react to it. In what ways can we display the aroma and attractiveness of Christ in our daily lives, especially around those people who don't yet have a relationship with Him?
7. God created the world to run with a rhythm of activity and rest, work then Sabbath. How well is this rhythm outplaying in your life right now? What adjustments do you need to make?
8. Take some time to pray around any of the above reflections and some breathe Scriptures.