Most of us think of Pentecost as the event that brought tongues into the church. However, what first happened in Acts 2:1-4 needs to be seeing as PROPHESYING POWER.

Here are some eye-opening truths:

1- If  tongues is all you think about when you remember Pentecost, what Peter explained might help you. Peter said this about Pentecost: “These men are not drunk as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning.” He then quotes the prophet Joel: “In last days, God says, ‘ I will pour my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy’”…( end of verse 18) They will prophecy! What they were doing in tongues was prophesying; that is, praising, glorifying, singing,declaring the wonders of God…SO, TONGUES IS NOT SIMPLY SOME PENTECOSTAL, CHARISMATIC THING AS IT IS  SO OFTEN LABELED. IT IS GLORIFYING GOD and DECLARING THE WONDERS OF GOD.

2-Peter cites the Prophet Joel saying: “…your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,” referring to those 10 days from the ascension to Pentecost, and “They  will prophecy.” Prophesying  ignited the power of Pentecost for the purpose of witnessing. WITHOUT PROPHESYING THERE IS NO POWER.

3-When Peter cites the prophet Joel, he is saying that as you prophecy, young and old, men and women, God will established in those who prophecy the power to call things that be not as though they were.  You create out of nothing the will of God for your life and some one’s life. Prophesying  is always good, positive, uplifting, encouraging.  It is never negative, legalistic, or selfish.

4-Prophesying, then, is not some pentecostal expression, charismatic junk, or even an Assembly of God thing, it is the way the Holy Spirit responds to the direction of God. Notice that the quotation from the prophet Joel then begins referring to the coming of Jesus. Verse 32: “AND EVERYONE WHO CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”  Saved  how? Saved as a result of  prophesying.

5-The secret of Pentecost is this: SALVATION COMES WHEN YOU PROPHECY.  WITHOUT PROPHESYING  THE POWER OF PENTECOST IS NOT IGNITED.IF YOU PROPHECY, GOD WILL SAVE.

6- Never again refer to tongues as if it is futile and unimportant. RESPECT THE HOLY SPIRIT IN WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO AND HOW HE WANTS TO ACT.  It is the POWER to declare the wonders of God and to CALL FORTH SALVATION through PROPHECY.  Tongues is not f oolishness to anyone who wants to be a witness and see the lost saved. IT IS ONE OF THE WISEST THINGS YOU CAN DO!

Rick Bonfim

I became so excited that I lost my voice at the conference. If any more fire came upon me, I would perhaps burst into flames. The ministry of Elizabeth Wolfe, Benji Mallory, Craig Green, Bill Sammons, John Freeland, and Bishop Swanson was enough to filled me to the brim.

Most of you are getting home and wondering: ” Lord, can You do this again?” I want to answer for Him: ” YES.”

If you have never heard Myron Crowe lead a praise team you are missing something supernatural. His style of playing, arranging, putting music together is anointed to every note. Most of us who heard the eleven-piece praise team from Valdosta United Methodist Church, ” The Gathering,” will never forget the song: ” Let the Worshippers Arise.”

I am preaching this week in Brazil in the state of Rio and am working with a group who has come to the mission in Niteroi, Brazil. My energy level is high. My voice is back and my disposition to teach and pray is high. I have been rekindled!

At this very special “Rekindle the Flame’ conference, our attendance was around 350, and we depended on special people to get the work done. Clate and Bell Ralston were in charge of the committee. Pre-Conference was managed by Linda Hood, altar teams by John Freeland,  the stage manager was Rev. Jim Hood, logistics were handled by Jim Marshall, stage design was done by Robin Marshall, sound was brilliantly done by Gene Pearson, Rusty Williams and Matthew Pearson, and those in charge of registration were  Mary Lucy Bonfim, Patrick Cook, Nikki Cook, Jerry Ziegler and Pam Williams.

It would be good for you to make a comment about the conference as to the leadership above. They would be blessed to hear from you as to how you were blessed by them. Besides them there were others who managed the tables. On Friday we were treated to the best “pulled bar-b-que in this side of Mississippi”. Lane Tucker cooked assisted by David Bleakman. What a blessing they were. We met at Gateway UMC in Athens. Rev. Jerry Varnado blessed us.

Speakers for next year? Many are in line. Pray for the committee that will decide much about REKINDLE THE FLAME- AUGUST 2010. We are studying dates in August when the kids would be out of school. But one thing we already know: The Lord will bless that conference like He blessed this one. The altar was filled for hours, miracles happened, souls were saved, healed and forgiven.

Don’t forget. COMMENT about our leadership.. They were a blessing!

Rick Bonfim

The 23rd REKINDLE THE FLAME CONFERENCE is history. It is 7:00 am in the morning here in Athens, Georgia, and I am waiting for the next one. Many things happened in this conference that will remain in my mind for years.

1-Benji Mallory. Her word on Thursday night brought 120 people to their feet. Just like in the Upper Room, she spoke a word that clearly was anointed. United Methodists and others alike saw a display of the prophetic ministry that was accurate and filled with power. This pre- conference will stay in the minds of many.

2-Bishop Swanson. I have never in my entire life heard a word about witnessing more powerful than what I heard from Bishop Swanson. God spoke to us in a powerful way. The way to Rekindle the Flame is to allow God’s power to be expressed.

3-Bill Sammons. This pig farmer who became a preacher is touching the hearts of many.  The word on Saturday morning was one of the most clear and precise words I have ever heard on the power to witness. Bill’s new book, ” From the Pig Pen to the Pulpit” will tell you a story of a deep call to the nations and to the state of Delaware.

4-Robert Burnette. His testimony brought an anointing that still lingers in my heart this morning.  When he was saved in Brazil this last March little did I know that it would touch hundreds of hearts. Our attendance this year passed 300, we expect over 500 next year  to hear this testimony again. His family was present and we heard one of the most compelling testimonies of salvation I have ever heard in my life.

5-Reuel McFarland.  If you have never met this young man, you are missing a blessing. His violin and his faith is contagious. God is preparing him for a great call to the nations and will make him a great blessing.

6-Joseph Tillman. There is fire in his heart, fire in his eyes and fire in his mouth. God has great things for him.

Hallelluia!

Rick Bonfim