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