Being a Pentecostal in faith and practice requires one to be living and serving differently.
The New Testament Christianity is birthed on the Day of Pentecost with the historical and experiential outpouring of the Holy Spirit as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ ( Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4). The sound, sight, and speech of that Day have initiated and impacted the recipients and the hearers alike and made a lasting impact upon people of all walks of life. The 21st century has witnessed the influence of the Pentecostal movement and continue to do so in many parts of the world.
Let us note the following distinctions, expected in the Pentecostal men and women and in the communities:
- The Pentecostal Worship. (John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19, 20). The Spirit-filled person worships differently. He does not depend on ceremonies, rituals, legalistic religious observances, or liturgies that do nothing to the inner man. The Pentecostal worship has an element of the worshipper engaging in the act with his/her whole being surrendered and offered at the altar of God. It is a God-centered, Spirit-empowered, and Christ-honoring exercise with the glory of the Lord as the ultimate goal and motive. Usually, it is lively, vocal with singing, psalm, teaching, tongues, revelation and prayers, and intercessions in unison.
- The Pentecostal Witness. (Acts 3:12-20; 4:8-12; 8:26-40). The Holy Spirit baptism is poured out upon the early followers of Christ for empowerment and expansion in the witness of Christ among nations. Every opportunity is used by the Pentecostal believer to share the Word of God and the testimony to exalt Christ and extend the invitation to the Kingdom of God. Unusual boldness, authority, wisdom, and clarity is expressed in the witness for the Good News. The Spirit-filled believer depends on the leading of the Holy Spirit for the means of the communication of the message and the conviction and conversion of the Holy Spirit.
- The Pentecostal Walk (Galatians 5:16-17; 25;1 Peter 2:11-12). The Pentecostal man or woman is called and chosen to reflect the life of Christ in their lives. Their conduct and character are expected to be above reproach and Christ-like. Living and walking in the Spirit is natural for a person who is constantly in communion with the Holy Spirit and whose paths are directed by the Scriptures. A believer in Christ should walk the talk and bring glory to Christ through his/her daily life and work.
- The Pentecostal Warfare (Hebrews 12:4; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Each believer is placed on a battlefield from the time he/she has accepted the Saviour and became born-again. It is spiritual warfare and the believer is not expected to fight with fleshly weapons against the forces of darkness and wickedness. The Pentecostal believer is equipped with the spiritual armor and is called to stand against the wiles of the devil and to stand firm in the battle. The battle is persistent and it is from the wicked forces that war against our soul and our spiritual progress and destiny in Christ. In our struggle against the principalities, powers, and the forces of darkness the supernatural enablement by the Holy Spirit of God always aid us and lead us to victory. We are more than conquerors through Christ.
Pentecostalism is not a Church or denomination, but it is an experience and empowerment (Luke 24:49) promised by the Lord Jesus Christ and is poured upon the Upper Room gathering (Acts 2:1-4) on the Day of Pentecost 50 days after the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
The pouring is already done and the power is available today to all who ask and have prepared themselves spiritually and are obedient to the Word of God.
May we be truly Pentecostal in our walk, work, witness, worship, and warfare as we live and serve to glorify the Lord?
God bless you.
Pastor Joe Kurian
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