A pentecost testimony: My encounter with the Holy Spirit
“Today I’d like to share something with you about my personal experience with Pentecost. I hope you enjoy my story and are blessed by it!”
The start of a search
It’s a privilege to share something about my life with you, especially as we celebrate the wonderful feast of Pentecost this weekend – that special moment when we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Over the past decades, I’ve had many personal experiences with this day.
My story begins when I was seventeen years old. That’s when I first truly connected with the Holy Spirit and felt Him actively working in my life. I grew up in a loving Christian family where going to church was normal. While this was very positive and I’m grateful for that foundation, I felt something essential was missing: a living, personal relationship with Jesus. My contact with God was mainly traditional – ritualistic, you could say.
A friendship that changed everything
Everything changed when I became friends at school with someone who had also had a special experience with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. His testimony was like a spark that ignited a big fire. He awakened in me a deep hunger for more of God. At that crucial moment, I realized that God wanted to mean so much more to me than I had experienced until then.
As a young man, I came to a powerful, living faith and began to experience Jesus personally. Like everyone, I also had my own challenges and struggles, but it was through these experiences that I learned what it truly means to receive forgiveness and to live as a new person in Christ.
A little book that opened doors
Around that time, I also discovered a small book called ‘Pentecost is Not a Luxury,’ written by Jan van Gijs, a man who meant a lot to young people like us back then. His direct, honest style really appealed to me. He helped me feel closer to God by approaching His Word in a new way – not as an old book, but as living words for today.
Encouraged by his book, I approached God again with a simple but sincere prayer. I asked Him to fill me with the Holy Spirit. And yes – what an evening that was! That night, I experienced God’s love in an amazing, overwhelming way. I even spoke in new tongues!
A gift that gives power
For some, this might sound strange or even un-Biblical, but for me, it brought enormous power in prayer. It was as if a new dimension opened up in my communication with God – a language that came directly from my heart, beyond the limits of ordinary words.
In all the years since then, I have repeatedly experienced how important it is to be led by the Holy Spirit – not just during prayer, but in every aspect of our daily lives. The coming of God’s Spirit has guided me in special ways, both inside and outside the church.
Sharing God’s love
I love to encourage others with God’s Word and to be a part of His love in this world. The Holy Spirit has always been there as a constant source of strength for me. He has inspired me through prophetic words, dreams, and visions – all ways God speaks to us when we open our hearts to Him.
An invitation for everyone
I want to share this story because everyone can experience this work if they are open to it. Speaking in tongues, according to God’s Word, is available to everyone who allows themselves to be filled by His Spirit – not just as an emotional experience, but as practical power for every day.
@wimvanputten