According to the Oxford Dictionary, a brand is an identifying mark burned on livestock or, in former times, criminals or enslaved people with a branding iron. Based on this definition, branding reveals one’s identity. Branding is a concept that has been established and applied in the world.
When the disciples lived a lifestyle that resembled Jesus Christ, they took on an identity or a brand. As a result, they were called Christians (Acts 11:26). Therefore, the disciples carried what I call “The brand of Christ.” This brand should be carried by everyone who has accepted CHRIST and confessed His Lordship over their lives. People in our communities should see Christ in us.
Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, according to Acts 2, the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers gave them another brand, which I term “The Church of Pentecost Brand.” For The Church of Pentecost (CoP), our Pentecostal Distinctiveness is based on our Pentecostal Doctrine and Pentecostal Spirituality.
Pentecostals see themselves as recapturing the spiritual renewal experienced by the first-century Christians who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals emphasise the baptism in the Holy Spirit after conversion, evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Several distinguishing marks differentiate Pentecostals from other Christians. These include:
- A strong emphasis on the need for individuals to undergo the born-again experience (confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior) before they can be called Christians (John 3:3).
- A belief in a post-conversion experience called “the Baptism of the Holy Spirit” with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:6).
- A strong emphasis on the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:11; Galatians 5:22-23) in the lives of believers. The gift of the Holy Spirit refers to the various ways in which the power of God works through the believer, while the fruit of the Spirit is the character and nature of Jesus Christ being displayed in the life of the believer.
- A belief in the manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles following the preaching of the word of God (Mark 16:17-18) as exemplified by the early church.
- A strong belief in the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ, also called the Parousia (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:12).
- Emphasis on holiness (Hebrews 12:14).
- Emphasis on aggressive evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 8:4).
- A belief in exuberant and emotional worship (Psalm 66:1).
- Emphasis on spontaneous, natural worship characterised by singing, drumming, clapping, praising, and dancing (Psalm 47:1; 149:3; 150:4).
- Strong emphasis on church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:2-5; 1 Timothy 5:20).
- Emphasis on the “full-gospel” or “Four-Square-Gospel” (Acts 5:20).
- Emphasis on the simplicity of the gospel and a simple lifestyle (2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV).
- Emphasis on prayer and fasting (Acts 13:3).
Growing up as a child in The Church of Pentecost (Classical Pentecostals), I always experienced a certain kind of spiritual atmosphere during services. This was not limited to Sundays or weekly services but also during weddings, funerals, and other gatherings. CoP members usually feel uncomfortable when such an atmosphere is absent in non-CoP gatherings.
This is another aspect of the CoP brand (related to Pentecostal worship) that the leadership is strategically handing over to the youth as a legacy. They do this through prayer, mentoring, and teaching. I refer to it as the “Spiritual Atmosphere Brand” of the CoP.
THE UNIQUE PENTECOSTAL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Our spirituality influences our worship just as our worship affects our spirituality. We cannot separate our spirituality from our worship because they are interdependent. Spirituality is expressed in worship, and worship is determined by spirituality. Our spirituality and worship are outward expressions of our belief in a creator God who is greater than us in every way.
One important aspect of worship we cannot ignore is the experience of being satisfied with God in Christ. This experience speaks of His greatness. Apart from being an expression of gratitude, worship is also a means of grace, whereby those who are spiritually hungry are fed.
In the CoP worship setting, we believe that God approaches human beings at the level they can meet or experience Him. Just as the leadership encourages personal pre-service preparation (before congregational worship), which the Puritans called heart-work, church leaders are responsible for creating an enabling environment for people to worship God with their hearts, mind, soul, and strength.
This means creating an environment where people can personally and closely connect with God to glorify, honour, and bless Him – and the CoP holds this in high esteem. This is why we are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit at every point in the service.
The distinctive spiritual atmosphere can be felt during CoP services. I describe it as “The Grace of a Holy Spirit-Charged Atmosphere.” Most leaders in the CoP are blessed with the ability to create and maintain such an enabling spiritual atmosphere. They know when to allow songs to continue, when to disallow, when to pray, when to end, when to dance, and when to stop. The result of this is always evident through:
- Joyous celebrations in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)
- People’s eagerness to return to the church for another encounter with the Lord.
- Worshippers having a strong sense of God’s presence.
- Individuals willingly repenting and surrendering their lives to God.
Indeed, there is always an indescribable move and order during these gatherings. This is also a special brand—a unique aspect of CoP! As a result, spontaneous Holy Ghost-impacted worship is always present. There is always joy in the Holy Spirit during CoP services and meetings. Superficial worship leads to spiritual decline, and I thank God that this is usually not the case in the CoP setting.
OUR PART AS YOUTH
The CoP is a distinctive, God-given, and a firebrand – which is why I am a proud Brand Ambassador of this great Church.
Indeed, the CoP brand is a great heritage for us. As youth, let us strive to remain at the feet of our fathers to receive this grace. Let us not imitate outsiders and so-called “deep preachers.” Instead, thank God for The Church of Pentecost and do everything we can to safeguard, project and pass it on to ensuing generations.
Hey brother! Be grounded!
Hey sister! Be grounded!
Be grounded!
May God bless us all.
Written by Elder Martinson Twum Asamoah (Aworowa District Youth Ministry Leader, Techiman Area)