THE PENTECOST EXPERIENCE

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)

PENTECOST What’s That?
The day of Pentecost was observed in Jerusalem fifty days after the celebration of the Passover, which commemorated Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt. It is significant that this day was chosen by the Lord to begin the fulfillment of Joel 2:28: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh….”

The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples in an overwhelming manner. Their complete commitment to Christ and His commission evoked a mighty baptism of God’s power. This was evidenced initially by their speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4). The Spirit was resident in their lives from that moment. The Spirit-filled early church witnessed many outstanding miraculous happenings (Acts 3:1-7; 4:31). They were able to lead victorious lives as a result of their Pentecostal experience. Two baptisms were disclosed on the day of Pentecost. There was a baptism in the Holy Spirit, and in the Apostle Peter’s message that followed, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was commanded (Acts 2:38). This outward, physical baptism mysteriously merges with that of the Spirit, and is the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5. This is what Jesus referred to as being “born again” in John 3:3-7. And how wonderful to be born into the family of God-changed, transformed, and made a “new creature in Christ Jesus”. No, Pentecost is not a denomination. It is a new birth experience. It is primitive Christianity made relevant to today’s world. The people referred to as Pentecostal simply believe, teach, and receive all that transpired on that birthday of the church…Pentecost, 33 A.D. Calvary Outreach embraces these basic Christian truths and experiences. You owe it to yourself to attend-and see what Pentecost can really mean to you!

Is the Pentecostal Experience Necessary to the New Birth? The Pentecostal experience is as necessary to the New Birth as breath is to the body becauseit is the Breath (Pneuma) of the Body of Christ. The Pentecostal Experience is likened to the Genesis account when the Lord created man, he was not a living soul until God Breathed the breath of life into him. Likewise, before the day of Pentecost the Church was a concept and finished work in the mind of God. Remember when Jesus told Peter “Upon this rock I will build my Church” (Matt. 16:18), Jesus was revealing His ultimate plan of the birth and establishment of the Church. Yet it was not a breathing, moving organism until the Breath of Pentecost was breathed into it, which is validated by Acts 2:41 where we see the Church again, but empowered by the Holy Ghost “and the same day there were added unto them (the Church) about three thousand souls.” Secondly, it is necessary to the New Birth Experience because it corresponds to the third order of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is The Resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5). Just as Repentance corresponds to the Death, the Baptism Corresponds to the Burial, the Pentecostal Experience or the Holy Ghost, corresponds to the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many have died to sin by repentance, been buried by baptism, but have been left in the grave because they have not received the resurrecting power of Pentecost which is the Holy Ghost. What differentiates Christ Jesus from the others that claim to be the “Christ” is that Our Lord Jesus GOT UP FROM THE GRAVE. Had he not gotten up from the grave, He would have been no different than Buddah or Muhammad. But our Savior Got Up; HALLELUJAH (Rom. 8:11)! So beloved, it is not enough to experience the death and burial, but we must have the Pentecostal Experience, which is the quickening power of the Holy Ghost if we want to experience the resurrection.

Do the Events of Pentecost Still Happen Today?
Yes. The Bible states in Acts 2:39 “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” The message of the Pentecostal Experience is resounding louder and being embraced more readily now than in our previous contemporary years. Denominations that once denounced or under emphasized the Pentecostal experience are now coming into the knowledge of the Power that comes from the this experience (Acts 1:8), and are coming out of the closets to embrace this supernatural phenomena as a ecessity. As a result, the prophecy of Joel 2:28,29 has been, and is still being fulfilled.

How Can I Experience Pentecost?
“and they were all in one place on one accord” Acts 2:2-4
The Holy Ghost fell on those that were gathered together in the upper room. It was the Promise of the Father that Jesus talked about (Acts 1:4). Now that the promise is in the earth, we no longer have to wait for it, the Holy Ghost is now a gift, just waiting for us to receive it! The Bible states that they were all Filled with the Holy Ghost and began to Speak with other tongues as the SPIRIT gave them the utterance or the language (Acts 2:4). This is the initial evidence of one being filled with the Holy Ghost in scripture. Notice the it reads “As the Spirit gave them the utterance”. Not as the preacher or any human influence dictates, but as the Spirit dictates. Receiving the Holy Ghost is a Supernatural phenomena, which means that it is given by God and Him Only! Many have been influenced to speak in their Holy Language as they are taught. But this is not the scriptural way to receiving the Holy Ghost. It is erroneous in it’s process and weak in the flesh, because it is taught by flesh, and not inspired by the Spirit. Beloved, please do not be deceived, no one can give you the Holy Ghost, or teach you how to Speak in another tongue, only the Spirit can give you the Utterance to Speak in tongues. If you desire the Gift of the Holy Ghost, just Ask! For the Bible states “Ask and it shall be given”. God is So ready to fill you up with His Spirit! After you’ve asked Him, begin by faith to believe that you are going to receive it, and begin praising Him for it. God will begin to take over your lips and your tongue (Isa. 28:11), and before you know it the Holy Ghost will Rush in on your soul just as it did on the Day of Pentecost and you will begin to Speak in another tongue! My God, what a refreshing! The Holy Ghost is REAL! You owe it to yourself to experience the refreshing breath of Pentecost. This is not a denominational thing, it’s a God thing; prophesized in Joel and revealed in Acts: “and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:17). You need the Holy Ghost, come and Receive it!