The Pentecost that shook Jerusalem

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I heard SteveMcMullen preach this message several years ago.

What are your thoughts, Elder?!

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Barb

What are your thoughts, Elder?!

It is a powerful and stirring message.

I agree that we have something missing among us in many places and in many respects.

However, I also think it is important that we recall that the Book of Acts covers a number of years. The miracles mentioned are certainly not every miracle that took place; but neither do I think we are totally bereft of miracle power.

I see miracles and healings at our church, not as often as we would like, but then, would it ever be enough?

I think the greatest difference between us and the early church is not in doctrine, or even im prayer and mireacles; but rather I believe it is in our attitude toward suffering.

They rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for His Name; we whine and beg for deliverance.

But then again, Calvary is a couple of thousand years old, and not real enough to us. Many of them saw it and were personally impacted by it.

Paul said this--

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

There is a cause and effect relationship between our attitude toward suffering, and the power of Christ's attitude toward us.

The power of Christ visits us, but often doesn't feel comfortable "resting" upon us because the element that bring brokenness, and that render us capable of being in the Presence of His glory without taking it unto our own selves, we reject.

You want my thoughts, there they are.

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I listened to a message today titled "The Pentecost That Shook Jerusalem". In it the preacher implied that the Pentecost of this day and age seems to be powerless compared to the Pentecost of the book of Acts. He said that their Pentecost was a powerful baptism that changed folks and causing them to stop sinning. He said that the Pentecost of that day gave folks power over the devil, power to heal the sick, make the lame walk, and make the blind to see. The Pentecost of that day took arrogant and haughty men and made them humble servants, full of Love.

I relate much to this message, as I continue to look for a city whose builder and maker is God. I am very disheartened by the American Church. Very little true Pentecostal power is present in most churches. Of Course, most will disagree with me, but I have seen the glory, and will not be swayed by the opposing views. Something is missing in our day.

Am I alone in my views?? Am I crazy?? Am I sadly mistaken?? Am I blind to the glory of God in the present church of America??

St. Matt,

Just go back to the prophetic promise and the days preceeding the Acts 1 outpouring and see what the precursor was to the promise of Pentecostal Power. You will easily see why we do not have the results today. There will be no post Pentecost power without pre-Pentecost sacrifice and consecration.

[scotty]

Bump

Originally Posted by scotty

Here is my question; Does the following verse apply just to the day of Pentecost or does this speak of the end days? Is there a revival coming like we have not seen?

Reply #9

[OneAccord]

Comparing the Pentecostal Movement of today to the Outpouring of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost is like comparing apples to oranges. They both have the same basic shape, but thats about it. The answer to whats the difference between Pentecostal and todays "Pentecost" is staring us straight in the face but, for whatever reason, we don't see it. Maybe we don't want to see it, or maybe we are spiritually blind to it. Or maybe its a combination of the two. So...whats different? Doctrine? No, by and large, the Gospel being preached today is very similar in many aspects to what was preached at Pentecost (At least in the Apostolic Movement). Holiness? A debateable subject for sure, but most everyone who believes in Acts 2, believes and practices holiness to some degree. Som emphasize the "outward appearance" while others place more emphasis on the "inner man", and rightfully so. Methods? No, the Apostles used the latest technology available to them (the written and spoken word) to proclaim the Gospel. We do, too. The Internet, radio, the printed page and, finally (at least among some), television.

So things are basically the same. So whats different? The answer is there in Acts 2:1. They were in One Accord. The were united (and not in name only) before, during and after Pentecost. Unity is what is missing. Look at us. We are divided. we are split. We are splintered. We have spots, wrinkles and blemishes. If you don't want to hear me, then listen to what Jesus said:

Jhn 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

The world does not believe our message, nor do they believe in Jesus because we, His representatives, are divided among ourselves. Pick a subject. Any subject. We are divided over it. Jesus also said Jhn 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Our love for one another has been replaced with a love of having preeminence over our brother (3Jo 1:9). "I'm right, you're wrong". "I'm more Apostolic than you" (Sorry, Bro. Dan).

Don't believe it? Look at the outpourings of the Holy Ghost in the Bible. What element is common among them? UNITY. Act 1:14, Act 2:1, Act 2:42, Act 4:32 and so on. Miracles, healings? The Bible speaks of a time when Jesus could do no mighty miracles because of unbelief. What is unbelief but when people are divided over what they believe? Division is killing us. Read what Paul says in 1 Cor. about the divisions that plague us. Specifically: 1Cr 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Go through the Bible, read what God says about the unity in His Church. I know, I know, some equate UNITY with ecumenicalism. They are of whom Paul speaks above. Watch the replies to this post. Some will probably denounce this as another attempt to unite people to sing "We are the world..." Now hear what Paul said, Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. UNITY comes from the Holy Spirit. Read Jesus' prayer in John 17. We are dying, we are committing spiritual suicide because we refuse to put our differences aside long enough to really hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

[Brother Price]

The state of the American Church is sadly found in these verses.

And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginning and Author of God's creation: [Isa. 55:4; Prov. 8:22.] I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [Hos. 12:8.] Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. [Prov. 3:12.] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). {Revelation 3:14-22}

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

It is a powerful and stirring message.

I agree that we have something missing among us in many places and in many respects.

However, I also think it is important that we recall that the Book of Acts covers a number of years. The miracles mentioned are certainly not every miracle that took place; but neither do I think we are totally bereft of miracle power.

I see miracles and healings at our church, not as often as we would like, but then, would it ever be enough?

I think the greatest difference between us and the early church is not in doctrine, or even im prayer and mireacles; but rather I believe it is in our attitude toward suffering.

They rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for His Name; we whine and beg for deliverance.

But then again, Calvary is a couple of thousand years old, and not real enough to us. Many of them saw it and were personally impacted by it.

Paul said this--

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

There is a cause and effect relationship between our attitude toward suffering, and the power of Christ's attitude toward us.

The power of Christ visits us, but often doesn't feel comfortable "resting" upon us because the element that bring brokenness, and that render us capable of being in the Presence of His glory without taking it unto our own selves, we reject.

You want my thoughts, there they are.

I hadn't seen your post when I posted but I agree with your assessment. We are no longer living sacrificial lifestyles... we are so Laodecian in our attitude and expression of God's blessing that He is often relegated to the stoop while we have "church" without him! How sad that the Father remains in the Foyer!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

It is a powerful and stirring message.

I agree that we have something missing among us in many places and in many respects.

However, I also think it is important that we recall that the Book of Acts covers a number of years. The miracles mentioned are certainly not every miracle that took place; but neither do I think we are totally bereft of miracle power.

I see miracles and healings at our church, not as often as we would like, but then, would it ever be enough?

I think the greatest difference between us and the early church is not in doctrine, or even im prayer and mireacles; but rather I believe it is in our attitude toward suffering.

They rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for His Name; we whine and beg for deliverance.

But then again, Calvary is a couple of thousand years old, and not real enough to us. Many of them saw it and were personally impacted by it.

Paul said this--

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

There is a cause and effect relationship between our attitude toward suffering, and the power of Christ's attitude toward us.

The power of Christ visits us, but often doesn't feel comfortable "resting" upon us because the element that bring brokenness, and that render us capable of being in the Presence of His glory without taking it unto our own selves, we reject.

You want my thoughts, there they are.

And great thoughts they are, Elder.

As I read them, my thoughts ran to the beginning of the Church...

There is something extraordinary about the beginning of something, be it your first day on the job, the first years of marriage, or whatever.

It's not always pleasant when the 'new' wears off and it takes great effort in most cases to keep it as fresh and alive as in the beginning, or to bring it back to where it was in the beginning.

Perhaps for some, the honeymoon is over and they are just existing in the place they are?!

I wonder...

Originally Posted by Brother Price

The state of the American Church is sadly found in these verses.

Again, I had not seen this post when I last posted but, Bro. Price, I agree with your assessment as well.

Could one of the problems be our depth of Knowledge of HIM? Paul said Oh that I might now him (level 1), AND the power of the resurrection (level 2), AND the fellowship of HIS Suffering (Level 3) being made conformable unto HIS death.

Oh that I might REALLY KNOW HIM!