"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)
I do not believe in a repetition of Pentecost, but I do believe in a perpetuation of Pentecost - and there is a vast difference between the two. Pentecost did not come and go, but Pentecost came and stayed.
What is the eternal and abiding element in Pentecost? Was something given, was there a deposit made? What came to pass that was internal, heavenly, permanent and lasting?
In order to discover what this element was, we must find out what was promised. According to John 14:16, Jesus said, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter."
The wind, the fire and the appearance have never been repeated, as far as I know. But the Comforter came. He came and filled them. He came to abide in them. He came to make Jesus real. He came to give them inward moral ability to do right, and inward ability to do God's work. That stayed, and it is still here.
The humblest Christian is called to live a miracle, a life that is a moral and spiritual life with such intensity and such purity that no human being can do it - only Jesus Christ can do it.
~A. W. Tozer
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