During the last three hundred years there have been powerful manifestations of the Holy Spirit in Europe, Asia, America, and in other places throughout the world. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in America during the opening years of the twentieth century has been of particular interest to the writer because of his having been acquainted with people who either were active during the early days or were associated with Pentecostal pioneers of that period. Their testimony carried a savor of Divine grace and power that could not be denied.

One of the American Pentecostal pioneers of the early twentieth century was Frank Bartleman. A book written by Bartleman describes the Azusa Street (Los Angeles) outpouring (Frank Bartleman, What Really Happened at Azusa Street. Northridge, Calif.: Voice Christian Publications, Inc., edited by John Walker, 1962).

Bartleman's account is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in examining the nature of the new covenant counterpart of the feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and in seeking to understand the significance of the Azusa Street outpouring in its relationship to the whole of church history (see also Carl Brumback, Suddenly . . . From Heaven. Springfield, Mo.: Gospel Publishing House, 1961).

Frank Bartleman's narrative abounds in inspirational moments. However, some disquieting facts emerge. As one reads the book, the impression is gained that the church leaders and people were so anxious to return to a conventional form of worship that they fairly drove the Holy Spirit of God from their midst.

Bartleman's account of people driving away the Holy Spirit by resisting the patterns of worship, prayer, and ministry taught to them by the Spirit saddens those who understand the Holy Spirit is God and is to be obeyed implicitly and in detail. One need look no further than Holy Writ to discover Israel always resists the Holy Spirit. The actions of the Christians at the time of Bartleman is a dreadful commentary on the actual state of multitudes of church-attenders.

The writer believes that the Pentecostal "rain" has been available throughout the Church Age, and that the Holy Spirit of God is present in small amounts in our assemblies because that is the way we want it.

Perhaps it is not that we do not want the Spirit Himself. The problem is that walking in the Spirit requires moment by moment cross-carrying obedience to Christ. Men insist on retaining control of the activities of the Church of Christ. The Lord's people never have been content to trust Him and lean not on their own understanding. Throughout the history of the nation of Israel, and of the Christian Church also, the leaders have refused to allow the Spirit of God to direct the building of God's Temple.

To be continued.