The Pentecostal effect Week 23, 2014

“What a great outpouring of power there is from Pentecost. Imagine the signs and wonders; men and women speaking in different kinds of tongues...”

Is that what you see of the Pentecostal experience? I see more than that.

“Of course there is more! The church got 3, 000 more members overnight.”

Members? No; the Pentecostal experience does not produce mere members. If yours does then all you have said can be duplicated and faked by another spirit; the tongues, the miracles, the members. Can’t you see more?

“I read this Bible too. Tell me what you see. We so need the Pentecostal effect.”

Miracles plus a crowd does not necessarily add up to Pentecost. First I see a changed man who in the same circumstances he had fallen, had betrayed the Lord, now overcoming and triumphing. Peter who before a crowd denied Jesus thrice (Jn18:18, 25) now before the crowd openly declares Jesus is both Lord and Christ. This Pentecostal experience must first change you who seeks to manifest it, you who desire (and rightly so) to see signs wonders and miracles in your life. If that doesn’t happen but the miracles happen you have received a strange and deadly spirit. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'" Mat 7:22-23(ISV) 

“Well the point is taken. But what do you have against membership?”

They were not just members. They were formerly blind people, unable to perceive spiritual things. These formerly were mockers. Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, "What does this mean?" But others made fun of the believers, saying, "These people are drunk!" Act 2:12-13(GNB). Under the effect of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost they sought God to follow Him. When the crowd that had gathered heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Act 2:37(ISV).  What happened on the day of Pentecost was conviction and conversion driven recruitment, not jobbers eager for instant wealth whilst unchanged from bondage to sin. That is the second thing I see here. There is a religious spirit that pulls crowd which is not of God 2Pt2:1-2. Do not mistake that for the Spirit of Pentecost. The Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. Is 11:2(ISV) 

“But you believe in the tongues and the miracles?”

Of course I do. That is the number three item. Whenever the Holy Spirit shows up He does so with manifestations of power, and all that is for us today. For the promise is unto you, and to… as many as the Lord our God shall call Act 2:39(KJV). We must understand what He comes to do so Satan does not slip in fakes under our noses. Are these three effects manifest in you?