Pentecost

PRIZED PENTECOST PROTECTION (May 14, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)
Robert and Maureen McQuillan share some important reminders…

Pentecost Sunday tomorrow!

Many churches, both Pentecostal and mainstream, will be remembering, even celebrating that Acts 2 Pentecost when Jesus’ promise of being ‘equipped with power from on high’ (Luke 24:49 Mge) by the Holy Spirit was fulfilled.

The all-powerful third person in the Trinity fell in an incredible way at Pentecost, releasing the original church in spontaneous praise and worship glossolalia (tongues speaking) and immediate evangelism.

Sadly, some people still foolishly believe this free gift and the 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 nine supernatural gifts of the Spirit ceased (Theology calls this ‘cessationism’). (more…)

IS YOUR CHURCH ‘BODY MINISTRY’ EQUIPPED? (Apr 17, 2016)

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)Robert and Maureen McQuillan raise an issue…

Ministry…some Christians foolishly think ‘That’s only the minister’ but 2 Corinthians 3:6 states we’re all ministers – competent servants!

It was great to catch up recently with dearest ‘old friends’ Hans and Ellie Rutgrink,  who almost 40 years ago faithfully assisted us in planting/establishing a new church.

This was immediately after our Bible college days and we will never forget Hans’ joyous melodic phone call: ‘Hallooo, friends. We’re coming to join you…’

Connect!
With their commitment, our church grew as we concentrated on teaching Bible truths, avoided time-demanding programs, and relied on the Spirit’s anointing to build the church by building people, Ephesians 4:11ff style. (more…)

THEBUZZ (Apr 9, 2016)
  • MELBOURNE – Proliferation of sexualised and objectifying images
  • MACCLESFIELD – Boots and All
  • USA – Brains recognise the reality of God
  • LA – Celebrating the Arrival of Modern Pentecost (April 9, 1906)

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MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA
All this and more in 30 minutes

 Coralie AlisonCoralie Alison throws a curveball question: ‘What will 30 minutes at a major shopping centre tell us about our pornified culture?’

Recently I headed to Chadstone Shopping Centre to catch up with some colleagues. It’s a typical large suburban store and, as I was a little early, I decided to browse while waiting for my friends.

Overwhelming sexualised proliferation!
I had expected to see the odd front window or billboard using the same old tired exploitation of women, but the proliferation of sexualised and objectifying images right throughout the centre was quite overwhelming. (more…)

THE SPIRIT AND MISSION: TWO RIPPLES OF PENTECOST

Dr Wonsuk Ma 3

Dr Wonsuk Ma shares…

In its short history (slightly more than one hundred years) Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity has not only grown, but has made a significant contribution to Christian mission.

At the time of the 1910 Edinburgh Missionary Conference, which presented a master road-map to world evangelisation ‘in our [their] generation,’ the movement was only four years old (if we count from the 1906 Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles, California). (more…)

PENTECOST – ‘TONGUES’ AND MORE!

Dr-Robert-&-Maureen-McQuillan_PhotoRobert and Maureen McQuillan share:

It’s Pentecost Sunday this weekend!

This used to be a yearly highlight in most denominations, let alone Pentecostal ones – a celebration of when the Holy Spirit fell on the first Christians as described in Acts 2. That was when Christians were filled with the Spirit and joyfully worshipped God in ‘new tongues’ – untaught languages or glossolalia (V8-11). (more…)

RESPONDING TO PENTECOST

Murray Capill

Murray Capill, author and Reformed Theology College’s principal, challenges…

There are three ways we can respond to the central themes of the narrative in Acts and especially its focus on the Holy Spirit.

1. Seeking repetitions
One way is to continually seek repetitions of the day of Pentecost. Charismatics and Pentecostals treat the events of that day as normative and so they look for spectacular signs as manifestations of the Spirit today and for the baptism of the Spirit as an experience subsequent to conversion. (more…)

THE BUZZ

TEXAS
Ebola update

Aimee HerdBreaking Christian News’ Aimee Herd emails:
Three times now, Ebola survivor Dr Kent Brantly has donated his blood to a patient suffering with the deadly disease—the latest recipient being Texas nurse, Nina Pham, who contracted Ebola from caring for Thomas Eric Duncan who died last week.

The first person who received a blood transfusion using Dr Brantly’s blood was fellow humanitarian aid doctor Nick Sacra, who has recovered from Ebola and been released from the hospital. (more…)