How to be a Good Pentecostal

The Pentecost season begins now... how should we think about it?

When we celebrate Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, we are celebrating very confrontational manifestations. It’s like walking one day into a palace and telling the reigning king: “Hey, your time is up. Please kindly step down and serve me as your new king!” In any ancient scenario, you would lose an arm or head for saying such a thing. John the Forerunner once made outspoken statements about Herod, and his head got cut off. Jesus made similar accusations in his earthly ministry. Were it not for the Father’s providential protection, the religious leaders would have murdered Jesus early on in his ministry.

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were public events. The Ascension of Jesus was a very public announcement, but it was given to a particular group of people, his disciples. But Pentecost is a worldwide event. Pentecost took place amid people from every nation and tongue—Galileans, Parthians, and Elamites.