Abundant Life Apostolic Church
2220 Muirhead Ave SE
Olympia, WA 98502

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Letter written to the editor:

June 3rd, 2006

The Olympian
111 Bethel St NE
Olympia, WA 98506

Dear Sir:

Tomorrow, the church world celebrates the Day of Pentecost. Like Christmas and Easter; it has been pushed way back on the stove - of low importance in our walk with God.

The real meaning and purpose of these three events are of utmost importance to the people who really want to be Bible-believing Christians.

The Day of Pentecost is the birthday of the church that the Lord Jesus Christ told us he was going to build in Matthew 16:18.

His church was started with about 120 believers - men and women - receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

This experience was something they had read about in the Old Testament but did not understand. Like today, most church people do not understand, but millions worldwide are reaching out to receive their own Pentecostal experience.

The followers of Jesus obeyed the Lord and went to Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Holy Ghost.

When the Day of Pentecost arrived, they all were with one accord in one place. Suddenly, the Holy Ghost arrived and they all were filled with the Holy Ghost.

This event was talked about abroad, and a multitude of people came to investigate.

To their surprise, they heard that they, too, could have this experience.

That day, about 3,000 people received their personal Pentecostal experience.

As we read the word of God, we learn that the church grew by the thousands.

We are thankful for what God did in the early church. But, we wonder, can the same thing happen in our day?

I give you a resounding, "Yes!" The Day of Pentecost was the starting point.

It will continue to be celebrated by those who act upon it until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From my perspective, the reason so many people miss the real meaning and purpose is that they just do not understand the significance of the event then and now.

Each of us is encouraged, by the word of God, to have our own Pentecostal experience. Receiving the Holy Ghost was the event that changed my life. I am not the same person that I was on the other side of Pentecost.

Even if I felt it was not necessary to salvation, I still would want the spirit of God dwelling in me.

Some people are fearful it will make them radical. I have to admit, we do express ourselves i n styles of worship that are contrary to what the church world calls traditional worship.

One physical training teacher made this evaluation after visiting a Pentecostal church: "The way you conduct yourself is one of the best outlets for tension, anxiety and pressures that are in our lives. The lifting and clapping of hands, the dancing and running gives your body the exercise it needs to release that which harms the mind and body. Even the loud voices of singing, praise and worship are necessary outlets for a sound mind and body."

Going to the gym is good for the body and going to the church should be good for body, mind and soul.

Yes, the Pentecostal experience could bring the revival and changes to your life that are needed.

Then you can change your world. It was the birthdate of the church; now let it be your new birthdate for a rejuvenated life.

Pastor Franklin D. Simmons is with Abundant Life Apostolic Church in Olympia.

Ref: The Olympian June 3rd, 2006 Article.

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