Pentecost Sunday

This morning in our meeting we sang William Booth's well known song, "Thou Christ of burning cleansing flame, Send the fire!" One of the lines says, "We want another Pentecost, Send the fire."

Another Pentecost? It set me thinking - is this possible! Can we expect God to repeat in our church the scene in the Upper Room where the Holy Spirit came upon the group of praying followers of Christ as seen in Acts Chapter 2. I believe what happened that day was unique - it happened only once, like 'tongues of fire that separated and that came to rest on each them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.' Specific features of the outpouring of the Spirit never again occurred again in the Scripture precisely in the same way at Acts 2.

In another sense, we can expect another Pentecost. It is not the repeat of the primary happening we need but a repeat of the outpouring and infilling power and presence of the Holy Spirit whatever the form or method. God does not confine to one way of bestowing His blessings. God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.

It was William Booth's longing that is expressed in that song, "Thou Christ of burning cleansing flame."

Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost;
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!

God of Elijah, hear our cry:
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!

’Tis fire we want, for fire we plead,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight,
For pow’r to walk the world in white,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!

To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To live a dying world to save,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
Oh, see us on Thy altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day;
To crown the off’ring now we pray,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!