The Spirit of Pentecost
Revival in our hearts
I am constantly surprised by how often I find people with Pentecostal heritage in places that are not actively seeking the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. By this, I do not mean strictly speaking in tongues, but rather an openness to hear from, be empowered by, and operate in gifts to the church, not merely attend church programming.
I asked a group of pastors from my fellowship if their churches were celebrating Pentecost Sunday (this coming Sunday) with the same amount of energy and planning as their Easter celebration this past spring. Over 75% said their church highlighted Pentecost with less than half the energy, programs, and money as their Easter celebrations.
Pentecost is largely forgotten or briefly mentioned even in many Pentecostal churches. It is not malicious or intentional, rather, it's a simple evolution caused by failing to identify and retain the distinctions of our heritage.
This is not to say that Pentecostals hold the key to ideal or authentic Christian praxis (practice). Rather, it’s simply an observation that Pentecostals gained prominence in the last century to fill a need present in the current state of the world. A need that has not yet been eradicated—the need for power to reveal the light of God in a world that is rapidly changing.
Many will highlight the diminishing of the Holy Spirit’s role in our churches, with fewer people practicing the gift of tongues. I think this is a gross generalization of a broader issue.
Pentecostals have abandoned their identity as Pentecostals to associate with the broader Evangelical culture. With non-denominationalism on the rise, many Pentecostals are doing all they can to look, sound, and act like these growing evangelical mega churches. Since the mid-1900s, the Assemblies of God has associated with broader Evangelicals and to date is rapidly becoming synonymous in many of its autonomous churches as another evangelical church that may at certain times reflect an emphasis on the Holy Spirit and his work in our lives.
Pentecostalism is not the perfect form of Christianity, but it does meet a need we find present in our world… we need power to advance the gospel.
The West is hostile to the gospel. Not to the level of physical persecution (as it is with many across the world), but this hostility affects the emotional and mental confidence of the people of God. It is hard to talk about the Gospel in most contexts across time and place.
We need the power of the Holy Spirit as outlined in Acts for the purpose of being equipped and empowered to witness for Jesus.
I have been focusing a lot on the Holy Spirit in 2025, and since Easter, our church has been teaching and preaching on the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost.
Yesterday morning, we saw the Spirit of Pentecost really begin to take root in our church. After months of prayers and expectations from our leaders, we saw the Spirit pour out in new ways at our church. Our worship had an unplanned extended reprise before Communion. We have been having the gifts of the Spirit operating in our service more often.
During our ministry time, our Pastor felt the need for some to linger in the presence of God. We prayed our weekly prayer of Commissioning, but 25-30 people stayed behind to continue to seek out God and pray for another 30 minutes. This is not something that happens at our church.
I do not believe it was the result of a decent message or the leadership of human leaders. I fully believe that it is the Spirit of Pentecost sweeping through our congregation, working in our hearts and spirits.
This week, I pray that the Spirit of Pentecost would meet you as you seek him expectantly.
May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you again today!
Well said, Abram!!