Not Repeated, But Perpetuated

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4)

I do not believe in a repetition of Pentecost, but I do believe in a perpetuation of Pentecost - and there is a vast difference between the two. Pentecost did not come and go, but Pentecost came and stayed.

What is the eternal and abiding element in Pentecost? Was something given, was there a deposit made? What came to pass that was internal, heavenly, permanent and lasting?

In order to discover what this element was, we must find out what was promised. According to John 14:16, Jesus said, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter."

The wind, the fire and the appearance have never been repeated, as far as I know. But the Comforter came. He came and filled them. He came to abide in them. He came to make  Jesus real. He came to give them inward moral ability to do right, and inward ability to do God's work. That stayed, and it is still here.

The humblest Christian is called to live a miracle, a life that is a moral and spiritual life with such intensity and such purity that no human being can do it - only Jesus Christ can do it.

~A. W. Tozer~
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Despair - A Good Friend

"Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered" (Psalm 22:4-5)

The Christian who is seeking better things and who has to his consternation found himself in a state of complete self-despair need not be discouraged.

Despair with self, where it is accompanied by faith, is a good friend, for it destroys one of the heart's most potent enemies and prepares the soul for the ministration of the Comforter.

He will never leave us nor forsake us, nor will He be wroth with us nor rebuke us.

He will not break His covenant nor alter that which has gone out of His mouth.

He will keep us as the apple of His eye and watch over us as a mother watches over her child.

His love will not fail even while He is taking us through this experience or self-crucifixion.

This, indeed, is the true secret of sanctification and self-crucifixion: the expulsive power of the Holy Spirit's presence is the only true antidote to the power of self and satan.

~A. W. Tozer~