Pentecost in Kalimpong, India
It was Pentecost Sunday, so I preached on “Why Pentecost?” As I explained that Pentecost in the Old Testament commemorated the giving of the Law and that the New Testament experience was the parallel of the giving of the Holy Spirit, I followed this point by explaining a number of the reasons that the New Testament gives as to why it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come. I then expounded on the truth that Pentecost in the Old Testament represented the grain harvest and paralleled that truth with Jesus’ statement in John chapter four that the harvest of interest in the New Testament was the gathering of human souls into the kingdom of heaven. I then discussed several New Testament passages that confirmed that believers need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to bring in this spiritual harvest. My final point was that participation in Pentecost was listed as an obligation – not an option – in four different passages in the Old Testament. At that point, I concluded with Jesus’ command – not a suggestion – that we be filled with the Holy Spirit. Of course, such a message might not seem so unusual unless you are aware that out of the three churches where I preached this message only one was charismatic. The other two were historic traditional churches who were totally unaccustomed to the modern move of the Holy Spirit.
As the prophet Isaiah promised, the word did not return void, but accomplished the purpose for which it was preached. The members of the congregations responded that they realized that they needed to know more about the Holy Spirit and remarked that they appreciated the challenge to get out of their traditional mindset. Even though I can’t say that a Pentecostal revival swept through the city, I can say that I believe that a few sparks were ignited and there we’ll soon see flames begin to be kindled.
Speaking of the fire of Pentecost, Kalimpong did experience an outpouring of the Spirit while we were there in that Peggy had the opportunity to minister at a three-day conference sponsored by the Women’s Aglow. As she taught and prayed for the almost two hundred delegates at the meeting, the Holy Spirit manifest Himself mightily as many were filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of their new prayer languages. Peggy excitedly described how many of the ladies spontaneously began to shake under the influence of the Holy Spirit as they were baptized in the Spirit. Many others fell under the anointing of the Holy Spirit when they were prayed for, and some even collapsed without anyone even touching them.
Whether it was the rushing mighty wind of Pentecost at the Women’s Aglow or the awakening of the spirit of revelation in the staid churches, we definitely experienced a new Pentecost during our visit to Kalimpong, India.
One other special blessing during our visit to the city was the release of my book Israel – the Key to Human Destiny in Nepali.
