Someone asked me the other day what that means. In a nutshell I responded that it means we believe, and expect, in the modern day supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and world.
The Rock is a PENTECOSTAL church.
Jesus told the early followers to wait and be filled with the Holy Spirit before heading out for ministry (Acts 1:4). They obeyed and guess what? God baptized them in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and immediately they were filled with boldness for evangelism accompanied by signs and wonders (Acts 2). So much so that scripture records that the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47)!
When asked about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues Peter responded that the promise was for every believer!
"Peter replied, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for YOU and YOUR CHILDREN and for ALL who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call" -Acts 2:38-39
We are a PENTECOSTAL Church:
*We believe in and practice the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the intituled evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2, 10, 19)
*We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit - Healing, Miraculous signs, Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Faith, etc. (I Cor 12)
*We believe in Spirit empowered boldness for evangelism (Acts 1:8)
*We believe in the laying on of hands, the anointing and the supernatural (James 5, I John 2)
Do YOU believe in PENTECOST?
Does your life reflect your belief in Pentecost? Have you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues? Do desire for God's Spirit to move in your life?
As a leader at The Rock does your ministry reflect your belief in Pentecost? Do you often speak of the necessity of the Holy Spirit? Do you allow time to hear what the Spirit is saying, lay hands on those you minister too and believe for the supernatural?
Paul has warned us about doing ministry on our own...
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit' s powered, so that your faith might not rest of men's wisdom, but on God's power" I Cor 2:4-5
We need what the early church prayed and waited for...
"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of you holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly" Acts 4: 29-31
Would you agree with me in lifting up this request to the Lord for our church family?
Funny, while many seem to worry about new people or unbelievers being offended or resistant to Pentecost that is not my experience.
Usually it is comfortable Christians that are the most resistant to the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to focus your energy and faith on those that are hungry and seeking...I promise...they're out there!!!
If we can encourage or help you in any way let me know!
Blessings,
Darren and Toyie
PS. - Did you know that there are over 600 million tongue talking Pentecostals around the world? Estimated 1 out of every 3 believers alive today!!
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The glory of the Spirit annointing us is His enabling us to be witnesses (e.g., the Acts 1:8 promise and Acts 2, see 2:39). In Acts 2 Peter (and others) were enabled to be bold witnesses and "about 3000" became a part of "The Way", Christ followers - the first mega-church! That is the fruit of Pentecost, human beings for the Kingcom. Blessings, Owen
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