Photograph of Christ Anglican Church, Stellarton, NS. Taken the morning of October 28, 200
On the first Pentecost, a sound came from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, filling the house where one hundred and twenty believers waited for something to happen in Jerusalem. Then, divided tongues of fire sat upon each person.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
The one hundred and twenty believers walked outside, still speaking in tongues. Devout Jews heard these believers and thought they were drunk.
Peter said, “These are not drunk, but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. (Acts 2:17-18)
What happened at the first Pentecost was only a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. The Spirit was not poured out on all believers nor did every son and daughter prophesy. It only fell on one hundred and  twenty believers.
Even the Azusa Street Revival and the Charismatic Revival – as great as they seemed at the time – were only partial fulfillments of Joel’s prophecy. The Spirit was not poured out on every believer.
My prayer today:
Lord, help the American church to believe and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on every believer; thus fulfilling Joel’s prophecy.
Join me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for the American church.
Larry Who 