My Experience
Many people might expect that someone raised in a Pentecostal church would be very familiar with Pentecost Sunday. This was not the case for me. About 13 years ago, I stumbled upon the liturgical church calendar. I often heard friends mention Advent and Lent; however, when I asked about these observances, I was informed that we do not practice them per se—that we only celebrate Christmas and Easter. No reason or explanation was given, neither did I seem to need one at the time. I felt satisfied celebrating Christmas and Easter. As I grew older, I discovered that Lent is a season of fasting, and I was grateful we did not participate in it. That would be a lot of fasting coming off the heels of the “21 Days of Prayer and Fasting” initiative in the COGOP!
In 2013, I left my home church to lead a new group, which allowed me to grow and connect with people from different backgrounds in the Christian faith. Talking with these individuals helped me recognize that the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to explore my own faith history and to ask about the experiences of others. I suppose faith can be handed down, but it takes openness to the Holy Spirit to help make sense of it. This was the case for me.
For many in liturgical churches, the church calendar has been a simple way to share the Christian faith year after year. For me, there was nothing simple about this calendar. It was an enormous learning curve. I had many questions as well as judgments. I truly wondered if it even mattered, yet the Holy Spirit kept stirring my curiosity. I learned about Advent and introduced it to our congregation over the next few years. Next, I introduced the season of Lent, and then Pentecost Sunday. Who knew the color to wear on Pentecost Sunday was red? Filled with excitement, we dressed in red and even brought red balloons. I had years of missing out to make up for! This was indeed a wonderful day—Pentecostal people celebrating Pentecost Sunday.
As great as this was, I felt ignorant and even a little disappointed. How could someone who was raised in a Pentecostal church not know about Pentecost Sunday? Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, is where we trace our roots. This is what we celebrate as Pentecostals. My questions continued, but the judgments once directed toward people who knew about and understood the church calendar were now projected on my own people. I would like to say this was resolved quickly, but it wasn’t. I can say that I began to wrestle with God on many issues that surfaced because of my questions. I did not need to wrestle with my family or question how I was raised. I did not need to wrestle with church folks or other ministers in leadership. God was inviting me to wrestle with Him; I only hoped that He would win. And He did!
Today, I make no judgments on whether or not someone chooses to celebrate Pentecost Sunday. I realize many Pentecostals do not celebrate a specific day because they celebrate Pentecost every day. The fact that I am writing this article on the topic of Pentecost Sunday for the White Wing Messenger tells me more about the Church of God of Prophecy that I did not know! We do celebrate it! Has this always been the case? I do not know, nor does it matter. What does matter is that we believe in the empowerment, embodiment, and mission of the Holy Spirit. When we are completely united in purpose, the Spirit of God moves mightily.
Scripture
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4 KJV)
“When the day of Pentecost was fully come. . . .”
To me, this phrase signifies it was time. A mother bird instinctively knows when to nudge her chicks out of the nest, knowing that keeping them there any longer might expose them to significant risks. For the disciples, it was time to fly. They had their wings. All they needed was the sound of a rushing mighty wind.
“One accord, in one place”
Sadly, when people come together for worship, prayer, or the Eucharist, they are often not completely united in purpose. The same was true at the Last Supper; chaos surrounded this meeting. Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray Him, leaving them to inquire among themselves as to who would do such a thing (Luke 22:23). There was also strife among them about who was greatest (Luke 22:24). Jesus told Peter he would deny Him, but Peter did not believe Him (Luke 22: 31–34). They were all in one place, but they were not fully united in purpose. This was evident when Jesus was arrested and the disciples scattered. Even after the crucifixion, the disciples met behind locked doors because they were afraid (John 20:19). They were in one place, but still not in one accord.
After the resurrection, they began to unite in purpose more frequently. Each time they gathered, they shared the news that they had seen Jesus. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary ran to tell the disciples that the tomb was empty, and Jesus was alive (Matthew 28:8). The disciples on the road to Emmaus hurried to tell the others that the Lord was risen (Luke 24:34). Each encounter caused them to draw closer to one another in unity. Each time they shared the good news that Jesus was alive, Jesus appeared. Such is the case when we share good news with one another.
“Suddenly”
The period from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday is known as Eastertide, or the Easter season. This is the season I encourage others to look for the miracles of God—the ones that happen all around us. One simple way to do this is by hanging a small crystal in a sunny window or in a car’s rearview mirror. Once the light strikes the crystal, it refracts, creating small rainbows. It is common to see rainbows dancing in my car. The sudden, unexpected appearance of rainbows never ceases to amaze me. It beckons me to pause and become more aware of God’s presence in the moment.
I imagine that the intentionality of the disciples to gather with one accord and in one place was quite an experience. They encountered the resurrected Jesus and shared these stories. They saw the resurrected Jesus ascend into the sky. And now they remained together. They were no longer scattered or in chaos. “And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God (Luke 24:52–53).
Conclusion
I am often struck by how God appears in everyday moments. Even when I feel scattered and distant, a small shift can bring clarity and a renewed sense of God’s presence. This is a miracle. Gaining insight into my inherited faith is a miracle. To wrestle with God is a miracle. To be open to the Holy Spirit is a miracle. To wonder is a miracle. To be in awe and to be speechless when God’s glory is revealed is a miracle. To witness creation praising and worshipping God is a miracle.
Whether one celebrates Pentecost every day or as part of the liturgical church calendar, God will show up!
Unexpectedly.
Suddenly.
As the sound of a rushing mighty wind.
As a warm fire.
In another tongue.
And you will know.
