In one of the great ironies of the modern Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, the historic Pentecostal denominations like the Assemblies of God that were the inspiration and fuel for the modern Charismatic movement which swept through all Christian denominations in the 1960s and 70s have retreated into a kind of "institutional Pentecostalism." There are now little manifestations of the spiritual gifts(at least in the American church)which distinguished it immediately from mainline denominations after the Azusa Street Revival at the turn of the 20th Century and the Charismatic movement that blew with new winds starting in 1960 that brought so many people of all races, faiths, and ethnic groups into the body of Christ. It was not done in a lecture series on the validity of Christianity. It was demonstrated in power, experienced, and proclaimed to millions.
Now, on any given Sunday after the choruses, some raised hands and Amens, the services have retreated into times not much different than a Presbyterian service. The denomination that was from the "other side of the tracks, has become the church in the suburbs off the Interstate. Many are now "seeker friendly," instead seek Him friendly with prayer and supplication. In an attempt to make Christianity more palatable to a post-Christian world, churches have implemented a kind of top-down marketing strategy. The church has removed the power of the Holy Spirit as not to offend anyone for the packages of man. The purpose driven life model for the church has some merit, but when the Holy Spirit and His full manifestations are left out of equation, the church is left to be little more than than one more option in the shopping mall mentality of the church. It's just one more option, and many are choosing not to make that option.
Is it any wonder this generation of A/G kids are leaving so called "Pentecostal Power" because they see little power and have never really seen any manifested. Church is just one more option in the "food court" of American life. The secularism and religion of so called "tolerance" has crept into this generation's way of thinking. The only absolute anymore is that there are no absolutes and we must tolerate all lifestyles, practices, and mores.
When the Holy Spirit is moving, though, people are confronted with their sin and the absolute necessity to repent. "There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved." The reality of this idea that is so, so different from our modern world's acceptance off all belief systems as equal cuts through all generations when the Supernatural power of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated in our midst in church, home, or street.
I challenge anyone out there who has never read or has not read it in a long time to read John Sherill's "They Speak with Other Tongues." The stories in this book of incredible supernatural occurrences to people of all walks of life are absolutely incredible! They can only be called supernatural. Their manifestations led to radical changes to individuals, families, communities, and ethnic groups.
It can happen again, and I am convinced it will if people truly call out to God in fasting and prayer. He has promised to draw close to us if we draw close to him. Recently, I have seen it manifested in my own family. On Halloween,a Sunday,while worshipping the Lord in a usual Sunday service, I was prompted by the Lord by one word- "fast."
It had been a long time since I had done this, but I began to do this the next day. My wife and I have been burdened for a long time to see the Holy Spirit move, and I truly cried out for this. Some incredible things began to happen in a short time. My college son raised in the Church but not really fervent began to have a yearning to experience more of an "edge." He said before leaving for college again after Thanksgiving break that he would fast with us on the next day, Monday. He went into a quite room, fasted, prayed, and read the entire Book of Acts for four hours. This is not my son who reads. He learned most of his World History by playing video games. Reading the entire Book of Acts was quite radical.
The next week he texted me about what were the requirements to be a Nazarite. I've never heard that one from anyone. We told him he'd have to live a separate, holy life. At that moment, I felt prompted to text him: Be filled with the fire from Heaven. Speak! You will be filled. At that very moment, he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues!
He immediately began to go out and tell others on his dorm floor what had happened. Some believed but some did not. The next day he laid hands on another student, and he was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Since that time his life has changed radically.
Returning home for Christmas break, he wanted to pray instead of playing video games; he wanted to praise, instead of listening and praising his usual secular music. In one incredible moment, he called me over the other day, and we began to intercede for out families with spiritual intensity. Side by side we both prayed in the Holy Spirit
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