“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” Acts 2:1.
“They were all with one accord in one place – It is probable that the All here mentioned means the one hundred and twenty spoken of Act_1:15, who were all together at the election of Matthias. With one accord, this word is very expressive: it signifies that all their minds, affections, desires, and wishes, were concentred in one object, every man having the same end in view; and, having but one desire, they had but one prayer to God, and every heart uttered it. There was no person uninterested – none unconcerned – none lukewarm; all were in earnest; and the Spirit of God came down to meet their united faith and prayer. When any assembly of God’s people meet in the same spirit they may expect every blessing they need” (Adam Clarke’s commentary on the Bible courtesy of e-Sword).
“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered” Jeremiah 8:22 ?
We have the great physician and we have the healing power of the Holy Spirit, then why are we not healed? Could it be that we say we need no physician. Could it be that we say we have our own physicians? Could it be;
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes” Rom 3:10-18.
A spirit of rebellion in the midst of our Christian ranks and even the ones who are working so hard to further the Kingdom of God could be in danger of harboring some of this spirit? I will confess that I am one who entertains this spirit and how, by the denial of believing, believing that Jesus will give us this same Pentecost explosion for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of God.
I am reading again the book, Azusa Street by Frank Bartleman, his record of the revival in Los Angeles, birthed by the revival in Wales. Now most attribute this revival to the birth of the Pentecostal movement and the controversial teachings about the Holy Spirit. But if you would, just look at the beginnings of this great movement of God and the spirit of the people at this time.
There was a desire for the Holiness of God’s presence. This in turn caused the brokenness and humility of the believer which in turn allowed the Holy Spirit to move freely in their midst because of the Christ like spirit they were expressing,
“There is much need always of heart preparation, in humility and separation, before God can consistently come. The depth of any revival will be determined exactly by the spirit of repentance that is obtained. In fact this is the key to every true revival born of God” (Frank Bartleman).
Contrary to most of the writings on this movement, there was a true spirit of repentance and prayer. What we instead dwell on is the biased writings by those opposed to the Pentecostal movement as well as those who follow the Pentecostal movement.
This is of course the hardest obstacle to overcome in the Christian camp today. Yet, my purpose is not to unify the different factions of Christendom; it is to bring a warning from the Lord, a prospective possibility for the healing of our land, and most of all, glory to God.
There is a greater focus than our own spiritual circles of influence. We may not want to admit it, but we are of one salvation that has grafted us into one branch making us part of the one body of Christ. If we fear the devil and his ability to disrupt and twist the workings of God, then we are in danger of anathema,
“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” 1Corinthians 16:22.
In other words, we do not love the Lord as we proclaim. We may look like we do, we may act like we do, and we may tell ourselves we do, yet we doubt the ability of the Holy Spirit to work as God wills it and allows it. This is a peculiar love to say the least. Who or what or when did we develop a new way to Love the Lord apart from trusting in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit of whom the Lord said would come when He left,
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” John 16:7.
Lord, help us to love You, truly and not half way. Help us to devote our abilities and our resources to the healing of this land, no matter what is said against us or no matter who resist us. Help us to trust in You with no reservations or fear of man or the devil. Bring our spirits into subjection to thy Holy Spirit and let us not look back but forward to the repentance of our sins, the renewing of our faith, the salvation of souls to thy Kingdom, and the glorification of our great Father God Almighty.
Send us a revival, and if it is Thy will oh Lord, let us come together in a Prayer Pilgrimage to seek Thy forgiveness for our sins and the sins of this Nation, amen
