By Dr F.L.K. Howard-Browne (1905 – 1998) PhD, ThD, DD
Dr F.L.K. Howard-Browne was my uncle – a preacher, a teacher, a theologian and a fiery Pentecostal pioneer. He was a wonderful man of God and a great inspiration to me. This is one of his many inspiring messages.
What’s in a name? Some say that “Pentecost” means fifty. Technically they are correct, but to every Spirit-filled child of God it means vastly more than a mere technical definition. There are words in our language that mean more to us than mere technicalities. For instance, the word “Sterling” stands for a certain quality in silverware.
When we buy Sterling silver we know that we are obtaining a certain definite standard of silverware. We are assured of its genuineness. We know it will stand the test of time. We know it has value. We also know there are cheap imitations on the market, and if we are looking for quality we know enough to let such spurious articles alone.
Pentecost! What does it mean? It represents a pattern – a standard. It signifies, in its spiritual significance, an empowered church. It represents a Spirit-filled experience. It stands for revival fires. It holds within its inner meaning a burden for the lost; conviction for sin; repentance and faith toward God.
The early church walked in the light of Pentecostal fires and these were the results that followed. Not only was the Gospel preached uncompromisingly, but also signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the Word. Pentecost meant something more than a name to the early Church. A Spirit-endued people aroused opposition from unbelievers.
Persecution not only meant glory and shouting and great joy; it meant also being despised by the world – hated – stoned – being beaten with stripes – imprisonments – and many other trials.
Pentecost! What does it mean today? From a Scriptural standpoint it means as much as it ever did. It is a proven fact that those who are truly Pentecostal, with a Pentecostal message and a Pentecostal experience backed up with a Pentecostal life of holiness, will have Pentecostal results in Pentecostal meetings in a Pentecostal way.
Instead of putting the soft pedal on Pentecost, let us magnify the work of the Lord as manifested in Pentecostal power and glory.
Pentecost has meant something wonderful to us. It has meant the mightiest revival the world has ever seen since the days of the apostles. It has meant the conversion of hundreds of thousands.
Likewise untold thousands have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and have been set on fire of God. The sick and deformed have been miraculously healed. Restitution has been made in numberless cases. A life of holiness has been the experience of those who have come under the blessing of Pentecost. Churches have been revived. A great evangelistic movement at home and in foreign fields has been established. Sadness and sickness, sin and shame, half-heartedness and indifference have given way before the mighty God-sent avalanche of Pentecostal revival.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 NKJV
1 Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
