Pentecost came when with one...
Illustration
Pentecost came when "with one accord (they) devoted themselves to prayer ..." The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was the empowerment of the Christian community -- the church -- and the affirmation of each person who participated. "They ... began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power ..." (v. 4, NJB)
The Holy Spirit came according to the promise of God to establish the church as the house of his continual presence and power among all. The Pentecost of that first century will never be repeated. However, the Holy Spirit remains, empowering and enabling the people of God.
The mandate for the churches, then, is to plan corporate prayer time. We schedule choir rehearsal, youth meetings, administrative and planning meetings -- all of which are necessary. However, to neglect, as an integral part of the church's calendar, a time for prayer is like planning a person's schedule excluding meals. No fuel, no fire.
The Holy Spirit came according to the promise of God to establish the church as the house of his continual presence and power among all. The Pentecost of that first century will never be repeated. However, the Holy Spirit remains, empowering and enabling the people of God.
The mandate for the churches, then, is to plan corporate prayer time. We schedule choir rehearsal, youth meetings, administrative and planning meetings -- all of which are necessary. However, to neglect, as an integral part of the church's calendar, a time for prayer is like planning a person's schedule excluding meals. No fuel, no fire.
