In my previous post, I asked whether we have been faithful to fulfilling the responsibility and to achieving the potential of being Pentecostals today. I think we can refer to history to get a glimpse of the answer.
The history prior to Pentecostal revival in 1900s reminds us of our roots in Fundamentalist and Holiness Movements. These movements started during a period when the society was facing political-economical corruptions and moral deteriorations; new ideas arising which jeopardized the orthodox Christianity; and churches were in the state of complacency, lack of earnestness and vitality to meet the changing needs of the society. God in His faithfulness has raised groups of Christians to pray earnestly for spiritual revival, and hence sparked the Pentecostal revivals.
Does the condition of the society where Pentecostal revival began resemble ours today? Our society is facing corruption and moral decay; postmodernism as a worldview and lifestyle is moving globally; and yet churches are regressing in setting the standard for holiness. I would like to see the church making effort to be relevant to society, but a lot of damage has already been done in the name of relevance. A recent Hollywood music video by a pastor of a fast growing Charismatic Church makes me wonder how far a church can go to reach out by compromising their moral standards. Although evangelism is part of the church’s main responsibility, it cannot and should not be done by forsaking the demand of the holiness of God.
Bearing in mind our responsibility and potentiality as Pentecostal Christians, we really have to humble ourselves before the Lord and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for creative ideas on how to reach out to the changing world in a biblical ways. It has to be done on God's way, not our way.
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