Affirming Pentecostals

Not One Word

affirmingpentecostals — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:38:20 +0000

“So far as I remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.”

Bertrand Russell: English philosopher and mathematician (1872-1970).

Jesus!

affirmingpentecostals — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:13:52 +0000

” God in the types of the last dispensation was teaching His children their letters. In this dispensation He is teaching them to put all the letters together, and they find that the letters, arrange them as they will, spell Jesus, and nothing but Jesus! “

Why Is It So?

affirmingpentecostals — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:51:17 +0000

Australia was better off for the presence of Professor Julius Sumner Miller. His effervescent enthusiasm for knowing the answer was infectious. Julius migrated from the USA and for over twenty years blessed our tv screens with science Q&A. His catch cry was “Why is it so?” and from there he discussed science mysteries.

Imagine how excited the disciples were at the authority that Jesus displayed as He answered the unanswerable questions of all time. He told them that they would know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:11).

In Revelation there’s the mystery of the Seven Stars (1:20), the mystery of God (10:07), the mystery of Babylon the Great (17:05) and of the Woman and the Beast (17:07).

Then there’s your mystery. The changing of life from despair to hope in the grace of God — the greatest mystery of all.

Paul said that “we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7 KJV). This is the “power of God” (2:5) and it is revealed in you!

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to [the] Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began… to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”" (Romans 16:25, 27 NKJV).

The mystery is the power, and the power is in you.

Amen indeed!

In the Nick of Time

affirmingpentecostals — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:04:57 +0000

The British express train raced through the night, its powerful headlamp spearing the black darkness ahead. The train was carrying Queen Victoria.

Suddenly the engineer saw a startling sight. Revealed in the beam of the engine’s headlights was a weird figure in a black cloak standing in the middle of the tracks and waving its arms. The engineer grabbed for the brakes and brought the train to a grinding halt.

He and his fellow trainmen climbed out to see what had stopped them. But they could find no trace of the strange figure. On a hunch, he walked a few yards further up the tracks. Suddenly he stopped and stared into the fog in horror. The bridge had been washed out in the middle and had toppled into a swollen stream. If he had not heeded the ghostly figure, the train would have plunged into the stream.

While the bridge and the tracks were being repaired, the crew made a more intensive search for the strange flagman. But not until they got to London, did they solve the mystery.

At the base of the engine’s head lamp, the engineer discovered a huge dead moth. He looked at it a moment, then on impulse wet its wings and pasted it to the glass of the lamp.

Climbing back into his cab, he switched on the lamp and saw the “flagman” in the beam. He knew the answer now: the moth had flown into the beam, seconds before the train was due to reach the washed-out bridge. In the fog, it appeared to be a phantom figure, waving its arms.

When Queen Victoria was told of the strange happening she said, “I’m sure it was no accident. It was God’s way of protecting us.”

So it is in the believer’s spiritual walk… warnings and pointers sent by God protect and direct us, just as Moses brought Israel into safety for Jehovah: “keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel” (Num 3:38 ESV).

Whatever the curse set against us, whatever the obstacle in our way — whether prejudice, famine or the devil himself — the promise of God’s care is sure. “For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us” (Ezr 9:9 KJV).

Let us pray for one another. And to our Lord God and Savior, who lifts up His face to shine upon us and give us His peace, be all glory and honor and power and majesty.

Jesus, the Father of Eternity, keep you and bless you.

Truth is truth

affirmingpentecostals — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:41:24 +0000

For reasons known only to the accusers, many have judged Pentecostals of gay, lesbian, trans gender (and many other) dispositions as wandering from Biblical, doctrinal truths. But is it really so?

We’re aware of many, many, many Spirit-filled brothers and sisters who mainstream Pentecostals consider estranged from the elect. Yet they’re traditional, fundamental and Bible preaching believers both filled and empowered by the Spirit of God.

It’s worth noting that, whatever your personal opinion about people whose life differs from your own, “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29 KJV) or “irrevocable” in most other translations (i.e. NKJV, ESV, NRSV, NIV).

As with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8), the gospel of God is all inclusive to today’s social eunuchs – whether male, female, re-assigned gender or other group that doesn’t quite seem to fit into the mainstream.

So, just like the eunuch, we come to worship Jesus. Join us as these words well up from within, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know, fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go”.

Believe

affirmingpentecostals — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:48:46 +0000

Welcome to Affirming Pentecostals weblog, dedicated not just to affirming Pentecostals around the world but to those who have gone before, who believed that God’s grace and promises are for “whosoever”.