The Way to Pentecost

by Samuel Chadwick

Too often we fail claim the authority of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Chadwick--a man who lived what he preached--challenges us to dig deeper into our spiritual walks to discover the power of the Spirit. "No other book I have ever read on the subject so clearly analyzes both our spiritual problems and God's wonderful promise concerning the supply of His Spirit." - Pastor Jim Cymbala

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Devotional, Christianity

170 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 28, 1960

Reviews

[Cory Jew · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on Pentecost and the Holy Spirit I've ever read so far! Extremely pertinent for the church and discipleship! High recommend!

[Solomon Weisgerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with many of the spiritual books God has led me to read, I first heard of Samuel Chadwick from Leonard Ravenhill. Many Christians of all denominations have predispositions on what Pentecostals are all about or have at least heard of them and what they hold dear that distinguishes them from other Christians. If one were to ask “What is Pentecost, and what’s with these Pentecostals?” Look no further. The truths of The Holy Spirit and the never-expiring Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire that Jesus freely offers to all Christians is biblically and powerfully expressed throughout this book.


The main point of this book:

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE EXPERIENCE/PURPOSE OF PENTECOST IN OUR LIVES AND HOW TO RECEIEVE IT


That being said, this book and Christian life as a whole, is not about us but about God the Holy Spirit. This book is about the Holy Spirit’s power, purpose, desires, attributes and occupations in our walk with God. It is a tragic ordeal to see so much talk of the Christian life with little to no mention of the Holy Spirit, but since the Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit can be grieved and that we are not to grieve Him, I am positive that the Holy Spirit feels many times worse than me when it comes to the neglect He has been dealt. My hope is not just that people will read this book, but that we as believers and followers of Jesus Christ would never settle for anything that is sub-par to what God has clearly stated and powerfully demonstrated in His word by the Holy Ghost and I say that because Jesus is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” Therefore, Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and Fire yesterday, today, and forever.” God bless you and may you have an abundant and fruitful life while partnering and being filled with the Holy Spirit on our temporal trek through this life into eternal life.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Samuel Chadwick (1860-1932) was a devout Wesleyan Methodist pastor who wrote extensively on the deeper Christian Life. The Way to Pentecost contains 20 essays on various aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work.

He addresses the Church’s main problem head on in the first chapter: “The Church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.”

“The Church is helpless without the presence and power of the Spirit. The Church [has] never talked so much about itself and its problems. That is always a bad sign. The lust for TALK about work increases as the POWER for work declines. Conferences multiply when work fails. We are acting as though the only remedy for decline is method, organization, and compromise. The Church’s human resources have never been so great, the opportunities never so glorious, the need for work never so urgent. The crisis is momentous; and the Church staggers helplessly amid it all.”
“The Church that multiplies committees and neglects prayer may be fussy, noisy, and enterprising, but it labors in vain and spends its strength for nought. It is possible to excel in mechanics and fail in dynamic. There is a superabundance of machinery; what is wanting is power.”

After he makes a case for the need for the Holy Spirit, Chadwick writes about the work of the Spirit in individuals citing what happened to the disciples: “The day of Pentecost changed carnal thought into spiritual vision, pride into humility, selfishness into love, and cowardice into courage…. The vital thing that happened at Pentecost is that the Spirit of Jesus came to abide in the hearts of men in the power of God.”

The Way to Pentecost is an excellent little book on the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s power to fulfill God’s purposes in the world.

[Kurt Michaelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive this paperback copy from the former pastor of the church where I currently serve. My good friend and fellow Pastor, Phil Morgan gave an encouraging recommendation to reading this book as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and found that what was written originally, from the first printing (1932) and its tenth printing (1951), still applies today.

I have made quite a few highlights in this book and will certainly revisit this book again in the future. Chadwick has helped me to understand the great necessity of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life and Christian ministry that demonstrate the Spirit's power and grace.

[M.J. Hancock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book, because I really benefited from Chadwick's book on prayer "The Path of Prayer." Chadwick wrote this book to teach on the Holy Spirit and encourage Christians to seek a crisis experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit following his Wesleyan Methodist background and the Higher Life movement of his day. Though I disagree with this "second blessing" theology and understanding of of the gifts of tongues, healing, and prophecy, much of his teaching on the Spirit was helpful.

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel Chadwick again brings clarity, and passion in this work on what Pentecost was and what it means to us now. Written by a Wesleyan Methodist, he fully engages the topic to completion. He is discerning and contemplative in his exegete of the truth of both the Holy Spirit of God and the work done and through the life of the believer by the Spirit. Every child of God should read and reread this comprehensive word regarding the Holy Spirit.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb probing into the Spirit’s indwelling. I was moved to Embrace more fully the Holy Spirit’s role in transformation and empowerment as I read these penetrating insights. Chadwick was not Pentecostal in the classic sense yet portrayed the revivalist perspectives of Wesleyan thinking about the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.

[Jacob Seward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the perspective this book was written from. Chadwick wrote at a time before we saw a wider outpouring of the spirit and so he can speak more generally of the need for Pentecost and the filling of the Holy Spirit. There is a need to teach these basics and the expectations that He wants to partner with us for the transformation of the world.

[Stanley Jebb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warmly devotional with much good teaching. But the author blurs the difference between power and holiness along ‘second blessing’ lines.

[Cale Manley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated Chadwick’s emphasis on the church’s dire need for the Holy Spirit. I found that part of the book persuasive and contemporary. The rest of the book, however, I found dated and not very compelling. It was good. It just didn’t connect with me that much overall.

[Wayne Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hidden Gem

This book is truly a hidden gem for those interested in finding more about walking in the Holy Spirit. I've read it once, but it's obvious to me that there is too much to absorb in just one reading. I expect I'll be reading this one several times. Would give it ten stars if they'd let me!

[Lance Towers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Arnold says, "He who does not know the Holy Ghost cannot know God at all." Samuel Chadwick emphasizes this truth and strongly asserts every believers' need for the Spirit of revelation to lead us into the knowledge and overcoming grace of God.