Church Alive May 23, 2011 Issue

The following was written in support of Church Alive, a focus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, that explores the meaning and possibilities of awakening to the spiritual basis and impact of Church.

Pentecostal momentum

By Melanie Wahlberg

Shortly before he ascended, Jesus prophesied that his disciples would encounter the Holy Ghost (see Acts 1). We read further that “when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1, 4). The disciples amazingly were able to impart the truth to the multitude so that all could truly understand, “each in his own language.”

The experience must have been reassuring and awe-inspiring. Jesus had ascended and was no longer with them, but the Christ was still tangibly supporting and directing their ongoing ministry. And clearly it impelled the church forward as well, because “. . . the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

Since this holy occurrence caused both individual healing practices and the church itself to prosper, I ask myself, “How can modern-day Christians experience this Pentecostal-type momentum? Is there a way I can help it take place?”