[deacon blues]

...was not the Day of Pentecost. It was the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pentecostal folks, we have relegated the Gospel of Jesus Christ to also-ran status compared to the outpouring of the Spirit on the DoP. But there would have been no outpouring if Jesus had not died and rose. Too often in PC circles we are trying to recreate the Upper Room experience. We preach about the "power" of Pentecost. We identify with Pentecost. We believe that the DoP is the epicenter of the Scriptures. But I contend it is not. Important? Absolutely! A key moment in God's plan? No question! But should it be the epitome of who and what we identify with? I say that there is a more excellent way.

The power of God is the Gospel. The seminal moment of all history is Jesus Christ on the cross, his burial and his resurrection. Jesus is the most important person who ever lived, not the Apostles. Our identity has to be, must be, can only be Jesus Christ and Him crucified. There is no language in the Bible that says "power of the Holy Ghost". The power is not in the experience of Pentecost---its in the truth that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures. It is the power of God to everyone that believes.

But you say, "Jesus said that they would receive power AFTER the Holy Ghost came upom them." You are correct. But what was that power? Is not the Holy Ghost God Himself? Yes! You have language that says "power of God", but not "power of the Holy Ghost". Why? Jesus said that the Spirit would testify of Him. The purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was to testify of Jesus! What did they do? They spoke in the languages of the people who were unbelievers as a sign to unbelievers---"we do hear them speak the wonderful works of God."

What did Peter do? He stood up and preached a Gospel message! He shared with them the death, burial and resurrection. What happened? They were pricked in their hearts---convicted---by the Holy Spirit, because of the power of the Gospel! What happened? They gladly received Peter's words and were baptized and 3,000 were added to the church.

As Pentecostals let us be careful to not elevate the DoP above the cross. Do not confuse speaking in tongues or the gifts of the Spirit as the power of God---it is the Gospel that is the power of God! The enemy of our souls does not tremble at the gifts of the Spirit---he trembles at the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, the power of the Good News!

I've been preaching and teaching the Gospel almost exclusively these past 6 months and we are seeing conversions, and healings and lives being changed. This month of January has been an exciting time! There's an expectancy in the air. There is greater unity. Broken friendships and past hurts have been repaired. There is a sense that our church is moving forward. Why? I believe its because we are intentionally focusing on Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The power of God is in our midst. It's not hyped up, conjured up, phony-baloney so-called "moves" of God, it is genuine, real and impacting.

I'm not ashamed to call myself Pentecostal---but even more so, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!