(I posted these "50 Days of Pentecost" on my Facebook wall for the 50 days between Easter and the Day of Pentecost in 2010 as a reminder of the powerful spiritual DNA that the Foursquare Church carries. Each entry was taken from the book, "This is That", written by Aimee Semple McPherson describing the working of the Holy Spirit in her ministry. )
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 1 "Great joy filled the hearts of the Christians as the big waves of God's glory rolled in. There was shouting and singing, and weeping. Many strong men and women were prostrated under the power of God ...and some were swept by gales of holy laughter (and spake with other tongues). "This is That" pg. 196
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 2 “I (Aimee Semple McPherson) prayed for others when they needed prayer. Now I needed someone to pray for me and help me get back the blessing and fire of God upon the altar of my heart.” “This is That” pg. 83
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 3 “Outside the tent, two brothers shook hands with each and said: 'Praise the Lord.' As they spoke the power of God struck them both; one fell one way, and the one the other, and lay stretched out under the power shouting and glorifying God.” “This is That pg. 87
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 4 “The effect of all this on an audience is hard to describe They may sit stiff and unyielding through songs and prayer and preaching; they may even hold back during altar call..but when they see and hear such miracles...they are jolted from their indifference and complacency as though a stick of dynamite had exploded beneath them.” “This is That” pg. 321
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 5 “Then it was that Mrs. John Lake, who had risen from the altar...suddenly fell under the power, with her head upon her husband's shoulder. In alarm the people said, 'She has fainted.' But I knew she hadn't fainted, and I kept on praying: 'Lord send the power. Baptize her just now'”. “This is That” pg. 91
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 6 “Then two brothers who had not been on speaking terms with each other for over a year were seen talking to each other in the center of the church. One had asked the other, with tears in his eyes, to forgive him, and immediately fell back in his brother's arms under the power of the Holy Spirit” “This is That” pg. 93
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 7 “I doubt if there was anyone in the church who made as much noise as he. He shook from head to foot; his face was aglow with heaven's light he fairly shouted and roared forth as the Spirit gave him utterance, his heart was filled with joy and glory.” “This is That” pg. 96
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 8 “A brother-a professing Christian and church member for years-(without salvation) confessed his sins publicly as the power fell...He was so filled with joy, which, though he was an old man, he had never before experienced, that he danced and shouted and cried, much to the amazement of his neighbors..” “This is That” pg. 101
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historical DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 9 “During water baptism service by the ocean, the power of the Lord fell and those being baptized leaped, danced and shouted in the water, while spectators wept and praised the Lord on the shore.” “This is That” pg. 106
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 10 “Many of the young people have had marvelous and inspiring visions, some seeing our Saviour hanging on the Cross for our sins; others saw our Lord descending in the clouds to catch away His waiting people.” “This is That” pg. 106
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 11 “A preacher came on crutches not believing that the Lord could heal as in days of old...God healed him instantly...he ran about the tent, dancing...and shouting, 'Why, the Lord still heals!' His wife was so overjoyed she ran up and down the aisles..it was impossible to go on with the meeting for a time because of the shouting of the people.” “This is That” pg. 106-7
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 12 “It was an unprecedented sight to see the power falling in such a place as the saints sang and danced upon the court house steps and down on the pavement. Hearts were touched and tears ran down the people's faces, and crowds followed to the meetings.” “This is That” pg. 126
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 13 “Sunday morning the power fell so no one could peach; the Holy Spirit Himself spoke in prophecy through Sister McPherson. Then she played the piano in the Spirit, and all over the tabernacle pealed forth the heavenly anthem.” “This is That” pg. 108
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 14 “We prayed for her and she fell off her seat and lay on the ground amongst the twigs and leaves, with the ducks...quacking about her. He does humble His people. No matter how great a worker one has been, everybody must get down.” “This is That” pg. 110
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 15 “On taking off the shoes, I found the feet entirely straight alive and active.. crutches were the first of many of follow, left as trophies in the arena, a silent testimony of the power and loving mercy of God. It is now nearly a month since then and have walked two miles or more almost every day.” This is That” pg. 298“
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 16 “ Hardened sinners wept their way to the altar; many sat and trembled from head to foot under conviction, and sinners on their way to the altar, fell in the aisles Often it was impossible to preach, the Holy Spirit conducted the meeting.” “This is That” pg. 110
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 17 “There were wonderful messages in prophecy and prophetic song. Dramas were worked out accompanied by tongues and interpretation. Heavenly music filled the place, and angel choirs were heard.” “This is That” pg. 114
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 18 “Deep conviction rested on many and the altar filled with sinners seeking salvation. One dear little girl who received the baptism plead with all, in tongues and English, while under the power, to come to the beautiful city of God.” “This is That” pg.114
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 19 “Picture an audience where the power of God fell till often the evangelist could not minister, but the Spirit took full control; picture the colored saints, old and young, singing God's praises, sinners weeping their way to the altar and seekers receiving the Holy Spirit.” “This is That” pg. 116
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 20 “At other times a holy hush, a spirit of weeping and great heart-searching and humbling swept the people from their seats and they fell on their knees in the aisles, between the seats, and at the altar.” “This is That” pg. 116-117
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 21 “This revival was not man-made, but truly came down from the Father of lights. At times the whole audience would be melted into tears as the stillness and hush of the Holy Spirit descended upon the place...the heavenly singing would be indescribable.” “This is That” pg. 161
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 22 “Since the latter rain began to fall..all declared that they never saw a revival like this...such a unity and melting together of workers, such a laying aside of quibbles and hair-splitting doctrines, such a going together for poor, lost sinners, God cannot help but bless.” “This is That” pg. 162
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 23 “From the first meeting to the last the glory of God rested upon the people. The manifestation of the Spirit's power increased daily...in such accord that their voices sounded like the rushing of many waters.” “This is That” pg. 166
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 24 “Oh, what is it?- What does it mean? What? Have they fainted? - Are they dead?-What” - What?, cried others, as dozens were mown down under the power of the Holy Spirit.” “This is That” pg. 167
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 25 “The Spirit of God came down night after night till the floor was covered from the platform to the door with praying people, much to the astonishment of the spectators and reporters, who had never witnessed anything like it.” “This is That” pg. 168
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 26 “ The convicting Spirit of God followed them, however, in such a wonderful way that one young man fell flat to the sidewalk under the rebuke of God, and came creeping on his hands and knees up the steps and made his way to the altar, where he was gloriously saved.” “This is That” pg. 169
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 27 “Day after day the altars were filled with converts, and the prayer room with those seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit; but on the whole our meetings were deep and quiet. We banked, not upon noisy manifestation, but upon the preaching of the Word.” “This is That” pg. 174
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 28 “...the ministers gently laid those under the power on the floor; and bade us not to worry as they had often seen such things in the earlier days of Methodism, in the United Brethren, and other churches. “This is That” pg. 175
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 29 “If the devil can but make some misguided soul rise and do some foolish, fanatical, outlandish thing under the pretense of the Spirit's leadership and power, he can make people think this is the result of the glorious message which you have been preaching.” “This is That” pg 177
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 30 “Looking backward, I can see that this meeting marked a turning point not only in my own ministry, but in the history of the outpouring of Pentecostal power. Yet at the time (so far as I know) not one of he dear Pentecostal people understood the vision God had given me, and severely criticized what they called a 'quenching of manifestations.'” “This is That”, pg. 179
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 31 “For indeed, once we have opened the door to divine healing we have paved the way for the supernatural power of God to enter in.” “This is That”, pg. 180
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 32 “Then God's power struck one of the official men and down he went, sobbing and pouring out his heart to God.” In a few minutes he was blessedly baptised. Waves of glory rolled over him till he shouted aloud and began to speak as the Spirit gave him utterance.” “This is That”, pg. 187
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 33 “Rev. Shreve was baptised with the Holy Ghost in the dining room of the parsonage one morning when, after returning from the meeting about two a.m. the power of the Lord came down upon him. From two till seen a.m. he lay beneath the mighty power of God.” “This is That”, pg. 196
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 34 “'As God healed when He was on earth, so will He heal now that He is gone,' the leader told the afflicted. 'God loves to do things now that He did when He was on earth. Have faith in Him. It is He alone who will cure you.'” “This is That”, pg. 200
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 35 “They are waving their handkerchiefs as they sing. What a scene it is! Thousands of white handkerchiefs flutter and wave like heavenly doves...and just to think that the audience is made up of people from almost every creed and faith, Protestants, Catholic, and even Jews, exalting the power of the mighty Christ.” “This is That” pg. 210
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 36 “We enter the door-what a picture meets our eyes. Hundreds kneel in prayer, hands uplifted, singing, praying. Several are lying under the power, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Some appear to be fairly lost in God.” “This is That”, pg. 214
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 37 “The mighty hunger of God's people to know more of Him and to have His power for service was shown in the large number that were found in the prayer room tarrying for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere of that room was simply charged with divine power. You could feel the presence of God the moment you entered the room.” “This is That”, pg. 216
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 38 ““On Tuesday evening, at the the tarrying meetings, the power fell, Wednesday night witnessed the miraculous touch of Jesus in Divine Healing, the eyes of the blind were opened, deaf ears unstopped, cripples arose from wheel chairs and walked. “This is That” pg. 310
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 39 “Did you ever hear three or four thousand people pray at once? Not in unison, reciting the Lord's prayer, but every individual praying, using each suppliant his or her own words?...Somehow it made one think of Niagara...the deep roll of thunder.” “This is That”, pg. 222
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 40 “Thousands upon thousands heard the Gospel and great mountains of prejudice, hard cold walls of doubt and unbelief had been literally swept away; hundreds wept their way to Jesus' feet...the healings were very wonderful, the blind saw, the deaf heard and the lame walked.” “This is That”, pg. 223
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 41 “We were reminded of the days when those who would not be denied took off the roof to admit their sick. Here they took the siding off the building in several places, weeping and pleading to see at least the miracles of healing.” “This is That”, pg. 226
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 42 “The rich and poor stand on one level here in these hours waiting; social rank and difference forgotten, they are accentuated by the same motives; they are driven by the same desperate need; they are all seeking help from the same Source...they have come to touch the hem of His garment.” “This is That”, pg. 227
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 43 “'Well, I don't believe this!' said a sweet-faced Holiness woman who stood by in her uniform and bonnet. 'Stood by,' did I say? Well, you could hardly call it standing, for she scarcely had the words out of her mouth, when the power of God struck her and over she went.” “This is That”, pg. 232
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 44 “The lame walked...the sick were healed. The deaf declared God had unstopped their ears. Men, women and even little children, gave such evidence of blessings, physical and spiritual, that ministers and laymen, who came doubting and questioning remained to shout the praises of God.” “This is That”, pg. 234
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 45 “On one occasion, so manifest was the presence and power of God, that we could not get the people to go home.. It was midnight, the church was still filled with people.” “This is That”, pg. 238
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 46 “Prayer was offered, she arose to her feet and to the amazement of the crowded house she walked across the platform...but no crutches...Shortly she ran like a child of ten...The crowd could no longer keep their seats but stood to their feet and in one volume there arose the sound of many hands clapping.” “This is That”, pg. 241
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 47 “Nothing could be more like Jesus than the way in which these dear ministers of the gospel threw themselves on their knees beside the penitents and prayed, as tears of preacher and penitent mingled and melted together upon the altar.” “This is That”, pg. 246
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 48 “The power of God is with us from the very first. Saints stand firm together heart and soul, with one accord, praying to one end. The revival is undenominational, they tell us again and again, and no one is to have a corner on it, no one to seek selfish ends from its results.” “This is That”, pg. 254
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 49 “Two rows of chairs on the platform are filled with ministers from Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical, Presbyterian, Christian, Salvation Army, Pentecostal and Nazarene churches, sitting side by side; doctrinal differences forgotten in the great welling love and pity for lost souls.” “This is That”, pg. 256
50 DAYS OF PENTECOST - Revisiting the historic DNA of the Foursquare Church. DAY 50 “Unquestionably, as you can see, the revival is on-the entire city is shaken. In every store, shop and street car, the one subject is the power of Christ and the meetings.” “This is That”, pg. 256
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