A Passion for the Truth

The call of God to His people to be “valiant for the truth” (Jeremiah 9:3) is as relevant to revival today as it was in the days of the prophets. The Hebrew word translated “valiant” means “to be mighty or strong” and refers to a wholehearted, courageous devotion. A mighty devotion to God’s unchanging Word has been the hallmark of revival throughout the centuries. A lack of commitment to the truth results in spiritual barrenness. Isaiah 59:14 vividly described this as a condition in which “truth is fallen in the street!”

It is simple, yet powerful. Revival occurs only when “His truth is marching on!” When the church so passionately and uncompromisingly embraces the truth that the things of this world grow strangely dim and the opinions and applause of mere men fade from view, it truly becomes a force with which to be reckoned.

Another word which effectively captures this dynamic of intense commitment is the word passion. The Latin word passus, as well as the related Greek words pathos and pascho, mean suffer or suffering. This is why the crucifixion and death of the Lord are referred to as His passion (Acts 1:3). In time, though, the meaning of the word passion came to include the compelling and intense feeling which motivates, moves, or effects the emotion and drives one’s actions. The word includes the implication of the giving of one’s all.

The question was recently asked publicly, following the presentation of research documenting the size of Oneness Pentecostalism to be well in excess of 20 million worldwide, “What is the cause of the fascinating growth among Oneness Pentecostals?” I’m increasingly convinced that the answer to such a sincere, probing query is that the most significant factor contributing to the success of Jesus Name Pentecostalism has been its sustained, undaunted passion for the truth!

First of all, the word passion aptly characterizes the devotion which Apostolics have had for the preaching of the name of Jesus and the absolute Oneness of God. While revival is the sovereign work of the power of the Holy Spirit, it is accomplished in conjunction with the surrendered hearts of men and women. Early Apostolics, often from the humblest of circumstances, found it inspiring that, as in the words of Frank Ewart, the Phenomenon of Pentecost was manifest among them. Their compelling, intense motivation to act on behalf of the truth initiated the phenomenon of growth among the Jesus Name Pentecostals, which has now captivated the attention of many others.

In addition to this, the bedrock of faith for Jesus Name people has been the Bible as the infallible Word of God.The admonition in Proverbs 23:23, to “buy the truth, and sell it not,” has been an oft quoted and cherished precept among Pentecostals. But, as in Jeremiah’s metaphor, the truth is a “burning fire shut up in my bones!” On the one hand, the Word of God reveals the truth concerning the power of the Spirit. On the other hand, the Spirit sets the truth of the Scriptures ablaze in tongues of fire! Truth and Spirit are, therefore, linked inseparably. Jesus said of the Spirit, “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). He also informed us that “the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

As recently as Pentecost Sunday 2001, this essential aspect of the Pentecostal experience was highlighted in a publication of no less renown than the Wall Street Journal. In an article discussing the meaning of “Pentecost” from the Pentecostal perspective, it emphasized an explanation of the Spirit made popular by the song “Pentecost In My Soul” by Oneness songwriter Thoro Harris. Such an “in my soul” passion for the truth is a powerful motivator.

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