Recovering the Pentecostal Heritage

Sunday's service was the climax of the Church’s one-week Prayer Convention. Director of Evangelism for the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, ministered the Word of God to the congregation. The theme of his message to the Church was “Recovering the Pentecostal Heritage by Praying in the Holy Spirit”.
Apostle Jimmy Markin based the sermon on texts from Isaiah 28:11-12, Ephesians 6:18, Romans 8:26-28, 1 Corinthians 14:7-16.

As background to the sermon, Apostle explained that Pentecostalism had left with believers a heritage through prayer. He told of the Holy Spirit that led the beginning of the Church of Pentecost and has upheld it through the test of time. He went back in history to speak of the beginning of Christianity and the Universal Church which had stood tribulations and the threat of extinction, to survive a great revival results of which we see today. Apostle reminded the Congregation of the calling of James McKeown (Founder of the Church of Pentecost), which brought a new wave of Pentecostalism to Ghana and the world.

Pentecostalism has some characteristics including; 1. The experience of the Holy Spirit
2. Utter belief and dependence on the Word of God
3. The spirit of morality and uprightness
4. The attitude of life laid down, i.e. volunteerism/sacrifice
Apostle called on the Church to uphold this spirit of service and volunteerism to reap of the blessings thereof. It served the fathers of the Church and it will serve every young man/woman who commits to the service of God.
5. Prayer

The Church of Pentecost has always been identified with prayer and it remains the life wire of the Church. Apostle Markin condemned the practice of overreliance of Christians on prayers of men of God when they can equally pray for themselves. The power of prayer is the key to life and every believer possesses the ability to pray.

Apostle emphasised the need to recover the spirit of praying in the Spirit. He reminded the Church that in this uncertain world it is only prayer that sets the believer aside from the rest. From Isaiah 28:11-12, Apostle Markin highlighted the duty of prayer in refreshing the believer. With stammering lips (prayer), we are empowered and renewed daily (Romans 8:26), without prayer therefore the un-praying believer remains unrefreshed and quivers at the winds of the world.

Christians are challenged to pray and commit entirely to prayer to survive the fiery darts of the world. Prayer produces new wine for the Christian, it empowers and pushes the Christian to exercise scriptural authority. Believers must rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us in prayer (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Apostle concluded his sermon by reminding the Church that the potency of prayer is linked to the Word of God. Our prayers must therefore always be scripture-based.