God is very much charismatic and supernatural. That is His nature, from beginning to end (which we have yet to reach). You cannot find a stop to His powerful characteristics at work in and through people. Human reasoning has tried to explain that side of Him away, but it cannot be done. Unfortunately, however, many in Pentecostalism have not truly helped solidify or confirm God's powerful nature. What do I mean? We get too caught up in making Pentecostal or charismatic thugs about an individual or self when that has never been the ideal. Yes, we find men and women throughout Scripture having charismatic encounters with Almighty God, but we do not find them making those encounters about them. Suddenly I see these words of Paul in a much different light.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (I Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV)
I for one have been guilty of this very thing. It is not that I have not loved or been loving toward people in and from an emotional sense. However, I have been guilty of not displaying the love and compassion toward people that supernatural encounters with God are designed to cause in and through me. These words of Paul follow an entire chapter devoted to gifts, ministries, and workings of Holy Spirit in and through the lives of people. These words declare that it is to be love for others that motivates the manifestation of he supernatural. Jesus Himself was constantly moved with compassion toward others, causing Him to act supernaturally toward them. If I have a supernatural encounter with Holy Spirit I must understand it is not about me. What God does in a person is intended to be done through them for the benefit of others. When we reduce Pentecost to a personal encounter, we become denominational. When Pentecost flows through us to impact the world, we become biblical.
Think about a few examples.
- Abraham was "slain in the Spirit" and was brought into covenant with God. That covenant is still a powerful benefit to you and me today.
- Jacob wrestled with God and had a nature change that propelled God's plan forward in a way it was not able to go prior.
- Moses turned aside to see a burning bush, and there he received a commissioning from God to lead His people out of bondage. God worked supernaturally in him and through him to bless His people and to destroy the enemy.
- Joshua came face to face with The Captain of the Host and was given battle plans and insight for a victorious march that brought down walls.
- I could go through the book of Judges, the life of Samuel, the accounts of kings and prophets to continue my point. God met with individuals in a charismatic, supernatural, or Pentecostal way in order to manifest Himself to people - and not just that person.
All of these are Old Testament examples. I am not even referencing John the Baptist or his dad's angelic visit. I am not referencing Joseph's dreams or encounters about the Son that would join his family. I am not even a "good" Pentecostal taking you to Acts 2. What I am saying is that GOD IS SUPERNATURAL. He always has been and He always will be. But His supernatural activity has never been about an individual. It has always had broader impact as it's intention.
All of the references and mentioned thus far have dealt with certain individuals at certain times. That has led us to isolate Pentecostal or charismatic experiences to a select few. The most we can wrap our heads around is the 120 on The Day of Pentecost. Yet, God is not in His nature a respecter of persons. He has not limited His supernatural. In fact, one of His own prophets declared that very thing about Him.
“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:28-32 NKJV)
He promises "on all flesh." God desires to give His Spirit to everyone. Not so that we can have an encounter or mark of distinction. It is so that we can be a demonstration of His love and Kingdom power to a lost and dying world. So that as we demonstrate the fullness of God it will lead to many whosoevers calling on His Name and being saved. Being Pentecostal, charismatic or Spirit filled is not about drawing attention to me. It is about drawing attention to Christ and His passion for people.
As such I say again. I am sorry that I have been denominationally Pentecostal. I vow to be biblically Pentecostal. I am not giving up the power and fullness of God that I am fully confident I have experienced. I am, however, giving up the selfish connotation that far too often accompanies the experience. This promise is for you. The prophetic word of Joel began to be fulfilled in Acts 2, and it continues today. Perhaps when we as Pentecostals begin to display the proper purpose of Pentecost again we will begin to see a second wave of Pentecost sweeping God's people once again.
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