Saturday, January 1, 2005

A Fresh Experience of Pentecost

Here is something I came across while researching for my book Miracles and Manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the History of the Church.

This item is an entry from John Wesley’s journal concerning a “watch night” service on New Year’s Eve 1738. The event he describes has sometimes been called the Methodist Pentecost.
Mon. JANUARY 1, 1739. — Mr. Hall, Kinchin, Ingham, Whitefield, Hatchins, and my brother Charles, were present at our love-feast in Fetter-Lane, with about sixty of our brethren. About three in the morning, as we were continuing constant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, in so much that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of his Majesty, we broke out with one voice, “We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
This was a powerful move of the Holy Spirit which, as it turns out, ignited a time of Great Awakening and revival in England and Wales, and was carried over to the American colonies, chiefly through John Wesley and George Whitefield.

May the Lord give you a fresh experience of Pentecost in this new year, the power of God coming mightily upon you, overfilling you with His joy. May you never recover from that experience but from henceforth be inebriated with His praises and a bold, powerful witness to His name everywhere you go. Happy New Year!

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