Today is Pentecost, the anniversary of the day nearly 2,000 years ago when the Holy Spirit came powerfully upon the followers of Jesus who were gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. They were so inspired that they rushed out into the streets and began preaching about Jesus. Some 3,000 converts were made that day alone. Most Bible scholars mark that day as the beginning of the church — the birthday of the church.

Very likely, none of this comes as news to you. You've heard this all explained before. Even if Pentecost is not something you particularly wait for with excitement, you still have some sense of its historical significance for the church.

I would point out, however, that one important feature of that first Christian Pentecost was personal experience. The coming of the Holy Spi…