Many say it is difficult to be a Christian. Some even say it is impossible to be a Christian. Let us look at two cases which I have personally encountered. These two cases involve two so-called Christians with ancestral-worship background.
Case one
This person whim I called Chan (not his real name) is about 75 years of age. I am not sure when he became a Christian. What I do know is what he told me. He said the moment he became a Christian his life was completely changed. He became extremely zealous for the Lord, albeit in his own way. He became very critical about pastors and Local Churches. According to him, he has not met one genuine (called) pastor yet. All pastors fail to enter the narrow gate. He often quotes what Jesus said: "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Becaus narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:13, 14. NKJV). Almost all pastors choose the broad way that leads to destruction because any broad way will not offend Church member. No pastor, in his right mind, would like to see members leave for another Church. Furthermore, Chan has not found any Local Church with the "right" way of worship yet. He is very critical about the type of music. According to him, no drum (in any form) and no electric guitar should be used because these musical instruments are too noisy. He prefers piano only. As a result, he is in the habit of "Church hopping." It is difficult to find a Local Church that uses piano only. Perhaps you may find a few small home-Churches. As a result, he would only enter a Church after the worship is over. He seems to forget how David worshiped the Lord according to the Bible. David said: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals!" (Ps. 150:3 - 5, emphasis added). It does not sound quiet to me! He himself admits that before he became a Christian he was extremely hot tmpered. There were times he used like "shut up" or "get out." when the slightest thing irritates him. He said many years back he even chased his own father out of his home with a meat chopper. Of course he did not actually harm him. But the problem is, he is still extremely hot tempered after becoming a Christian. He is my long-time close friend and I am usually ready to put up with his strange behavior. Recently, we were having breakfast together and we talked about a common doctor friend (a wealthy Christian) who owns a luxurious house (a "five-star" house with Jacuzzi in the master bedroom) by the sea near here. This doctor friend is working in another country and so he asked Chan to keep an eye on the major renovation of the house. For his help, this doctor friend frequently give him gifts. I believe this doctor friend becomes lover of the things of the world. Before he went to work in another country this doctor and I were prayer partners. During that time, Chan was not among our circle of friends yet. John said: "Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). I don't know what happened, but when I brought out the subject of frugal lifestyle of a Christian, Chan suddenly asked me to shut up and furiously walked away. Till now I have not seen him again yet. It looks like after years of being a Christian he fails to walk in the Spirit and also fails to bear fruit.
What the Bible says about Christians walking in the Spirit
Paul said: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the fesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; which I tell you beforehand, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:16 - 21, emphasis added).
What the Bible says about Christians bearing fruit
Paul further said: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have rucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22 - 25, emphasis added). Note that I have emphasized three aspects of the fruit. But it does not mean that a person has these aspects (or the lack of it) only and not the other six aspects of the fruit. It only means that these three aspects are more apparent in his life. In actual fact, all nine aspects of the fruit (or the lack of it) are a complete whole and cannot be separated.
What the Bible says about someone who is hasty in his words
A person who does not have self-control, gentleness, and kindness is usually hasty in his words. Solomon says: "Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (proverbs 29:20). A fool usually says things that comes in his mind without so much as considering whether he should say it or not. He is worldly and is of the flesh. He is therefore hasty in his words, without realizing that once the words come out of his mouth cannot be withdrawn! Paul said: "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:24). In other words, anyone who fails to crucify the flesh does not belong to Christ. In short he is not a Christian!
Case Two
This person whom I called Chong (not his real name) is nearly 80 years old. He became a Christian recently. Many people (including myself) have been praying for his salvation. In fact I have asked a prayer meeting of a Church to pray for his salvation. Our prayer is answered. God opened doors for him to meet a pastor (a lady) through a relative (a cousin) called Wing (also not his real name). This person is under persecution from his mother who is an idol worshiper. He promises that he would not become a Christian as long as his mother is still alive in order to avoid trouble. But the Gospels tell us that when a person is called, he leaves everything to follow. Exanples are Philip and Nathanael. Jesus said: "If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26, NLB). Chong faces many obstacles on the road of his salvation. Here are some of them:
Obstacle 1
Chong's wife is a person full of infirmities - physically, mentally and spiritually. His wife is fully dependent on him and I don't think she can live without him. He makes every dicision for her and he cannot go anywhere without her. But somehow she had made up her mind not to become a Christian. Once Chong brought her to a Church but she demanded to go home immediately. Chong would not like to offend her and so he stays away from the Church. The lady pastor could not give counsel in this area of need. I advised him to read the Bible at home. Surely his wife will not disallow him to do that.
Obstacle 2
Chong himself is not very healthy and he takes all sorts of pills and capsules daily. Chong's eyes give him a lot of trouble. He had cataract in both eyes and operated on. He also had a cornea transplant recently. His eye doctor advised him not to drive at night. If there is a Church meeting or any social function at night someone have to drive him there. Even reading the Bible is no easy task because of his poor eyesight. A Christian needs to read the Bible daily. When a Christian reads and studies the Bible God speaks to him. In a Church meeting a man (the preacher) speaks of him. Therefore I believe reading and studying the Bible is more important than Church meeting. If Chong is keen enough to grow in his new found Christian faith, he can buy a Bible with large print. Alternatively, he can listen to the narration of the entire Bible in tapes or CD's. There is actually no excuse for not reading or hearing some people reading the Bible for us with modern technologies.
Obstacle 3
Relatives who are able to help Chong in transport at night are all idol worshipers. Because of this, Chong feels obliged to please them by going to pray in their temple especially during religious bestivals. Furthermore, this pleases Chong's wife as well because she refuses to go to Church.
Obstacle 4
The lady pastor teaches Chong strange Christian doctrine. As a result, Chong believes as long as hes is not water baptized he can go to temple to worship idols. So, he keeps on going to the temple until he is ready to be baptized. I once told him that being a Christian he should not pray in the temple of his friends and relatives. He replied that he is not a Christian yet because he had not been baptized yet. How sad! His pastor should explain this to him. This is committing spritual adultery. The Bible is vey clear concerning this. Jesus said: "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Peter, talking about false teachers, said: "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the later end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true prover: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'" (2 Peter 2:19 - 22).
Obstacle 5
Chong's spiritual growth is greatly hindered. He is like the person in the Parable of the Sower: "A Sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold" (Luke 8:5 - 8). Jesus explained the parable (Luke 8:11 - 15). Let me paraphrase it. The seed is the Word of God. Those fell by the wayside are the ones who hear (like Chong); then the devil comes and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who (also like Chong), when they hear, received the Word with joy; and they have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation (going to temple to worship idol with the unbelieving relatives) fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns (also like Chong) are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Conclusion
I believe both Chan and Chong will inherit the Kingdom of God provided they come to the knowledge of the truth. Also provided they receive the right counseling from an experienced and compassionate pastor (preferably a man). They need to repent of their sins and renew their commitment to follow the Lord whole heartedly irrespective of consequences. The Lord will take care of that.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Whenever Jesus is Glorified
I believe whenever Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit comes! Contrary to what most people unintentionally assume, the important thing here was not that the Holy Spirit had come - the important thing was that Jesus had been exalted.
Let us take a look at the second chapter of Acts. Peter and all the disciples were gathered together when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were with one accord in one place. Suddenly as they were gathered there come a sound from heaven as the sound of a rushing mighty wind. It was not a rushing, might wind - it was the sound of such a wind. It filled the entire house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). Little tongues of fire sat upon each one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other tongues. Seventeen nations were there and heard them speak in their own languages. The ones that could be amazed were amazed. The doubters doubted, and the questioners said, "What does this mean?" Those who sat in the seat of the scornful were also present, and they said, "They are full of new wine" (Acts 2:13, NKJV).
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and sign which God did through Him in your midst, ... (Acts 2:22). He proceeded to tell them how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled prophecy and from there on, it was all about Jesus of Nazareth. Peter testified that: "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32, 32). He then said: "Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly that God has made his Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). So, the important things, according to Peter, was the fact that Jesus had been exalted.
When Peter stood up
Jesus Himself had said on that last great day of the feast at Jerusalem: "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
It is therefore plain that glorification of Jesus brought the Holy Spirit - where Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit comes. He does not have to be begged. Let us get it into our heart - the Holy Spirit comes when the Savior is glorified. When Christ is truly honored, the Spirit comes.
Let us take note, particularly Acts 2:14 - "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them ..." He stood up, and then he lifted up his voice.
Notice that Peter here stands for the whole Church of God. Peter was the first man to get on his feet after the Holy Spirit had come to the Church. Peter had believed the Lord's Word and he had received confirmation in his heart. The difference between faith as it is found in the New Testament and faith as it is found now is that faith in the New Testament actually produced something - there was a confirmation of it.
Faith now is the beginning and an end. We hav faith in faith - but nothing happens. They had faith in a risen Christ and something did happen. That is the difference.
Now, here was Peter standing, and he lifted up his voice. And that should be the business of the Church - stand up and lift up. Peter became a witness on earth, as the Church should be, to things in heaven. The Church must be a witness to powers beyond the earthly and the human. It grieves the Lord that the Church is now trying to run on its human powers!
The Church that carry on in its own power
Peter testified to something beyond the human and the earthly. Some power that lay beyond the earthly scene was interested us, and was willing to enter and become known to us. That power turns out to be none other than the Spirit of God Himself.
So, Peter, witnessing to things he had experienced, wanted to influence, urged and exhorted those who had not yet experienced to enter in.
Now, let us consider the Church trying to carry on in its own power. In my opinion, that kind of Christianity makes God sick, for it is trying to run a heavenly institution after an earthly manner. What we need is divine power. The Church that seeks God's power will have something to offer besides social clubs, garden tea parties, fashion shows and all of the other side issues.
First, we must strive to make our beliefs and practices New Testament in their content. We must teach and believe New Testament truths, with nothing dragged in from the outside. It means we must be going constantly back to the grass roots, to the basic.
Second, we must also earnestly, sacrificially and prayerfully, strive to be empowered with the same power that came upon them.
Peter said: "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32, 32). We must live to gear ourselves into things eternal and to live the life of heaven here upon the earth. We must put loyalty to Christ first at any cost. Anything less than that really isn't a Christian Church. I would rather be a member of a group that meets in a little room on a side street than to be part of a great going activity that is not New Testament in its doctrine, in its spirit, in its living, in its holinee, and in all of its texture an tenor. We need not expect to be popular in such a Church, but certain fruits will follow if we make a Church that kind of a Church.
Characteristics of a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led congregation
They will be a joyful people. Church history tells us how the Holy Spirit came upon the Moravians one October morning in 1727. They were having communion. They went out joyful from that place, scarcely knowing whether they were in earth or had died and already gone to heaven. That joyfulness was characteristic of the Moravians for a hundred years. They were not just a happy people in the sense of working up their happiness - their joy came from within.
We do have many professing Christians in our day who are not joyful, but they spend time trying to work it up. I believe when we give God His place in the Church, when we recognize Christ as Lord high and lifted up, when we give the Holy Spirit His place, there will be joy that doesn't have to be worked up. It will be a joy that springs like a fountain. That is one important charactistic of a Spirit-filled congregation. They will be a joyful people, and it will be easy to distinguish them from the children of the world.
Benefits of a Spirit-filled congregation
A Spirit-filled congregation is useful in the neighborhood - useful to the sons of men, even the ones that are not converted. In another sense, we are to be influential among the Churches, as well.
I would like to see a Church becomes so godly, so Spirit-filled that it would have a spiritual influence on all the Churches in the entire area. I would like to see every Christian and every Church become so Spirit-filled, walking with God, learning to worship, living so clean and so separated that everybody would know it and the other Churches in the same area would be blessed on account of it.
Church history tells us that when Luther carried out his reformation, the Catholic Church was forced to clean up - the moral pressure from Lutheranism brought about change in the Roman Church. When Wesley came and preached throughout England, the Anglican Church was forced to clean up some of the things that were wrong. Methodism was a spiritual force that compelled other to do somethin about their own condition.
There is no reason why we could not be a people so filled with the Holy Spirit, so joyfully singing His praises and living so clean in our business and home and school that the people and other Churches would know it and recognize it.
But, of course, there are some Christians who just won't even fill at home in a Spirit-filled congregation. Not all men have faith and there are some who don't want that kind of Church. For example, the people who put on religion as a well-pressed Sunday garment won't like that kind of joyful Church.
The cross of Jesus Christ changes men's plans
Let us be reminded that the cross of Jesus Christ always changes men's plans. The cross of Christ is revolutionary, and if we are not ready to let it be revolutionary in us or let it cost us anything or control us in any way, we are not going to like a Church that takes the things of God seriously.
People want the benefits of the Cross but yet they do not want to bow to the control of the cross. They want to tak all the cross can offer but they don't want to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Those who expect religion to be fun won't like that kind of a Spirit-filled congregation. We have just gone through a long period when Christianity was the "funniest" thing on earth. Many of us have been told that we could have more fun serving Jesus than we could do anything else in the world. It is clean, too - and we don't have a hangover! But we can get drunk in the Holy Spirit.
Can you imagine some people would think that the purpose of being a Christian is for the sake of fun - Christianity as an entertaining medium? The whole thing is offensive and foul before God Almight. Seriously, the cross of Christ isn't fun, and it never was fun. It is most solemn.
The joy of the Lord
There is a such thing as the joy of the Lord which is the strength of His people. There is such a thing as having joy unspeakable and full of glory. But the idea that Christianity is another form of entertainment is perfectly ridiculous.
When I sing "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound," I am worshipping the Lord God Almighty. If you want to call "entertainment" that which they do before the throne when they cry day and night without ceasing, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," then I am an entertainer. If it isn't entertainment - and it certainly isn't - then I am a worshipper.
The Church must worship, beloved! There is more healing joy in five minutes of worship that there is in five nights of revelry and worldly entertainment. Nobody ever worshipped God and then went out and committed suicide as a hangover. Many a man has killed himself because he had just burned himself out trying to have fun. Many a pretty young woman has thrown herself into having fun, and before she is twenty-five, she has to have a make-over job done on her countenance - she has simply burned herself out.
How I love to see the grace and the joy of the Lord in a face! I believe many true Christians love that too.
Cultural values of the Church
People who embrace a Church for its cultural value will not be happy and satisfied in a Spirit-filled congregation. These people don't know anything about the Spirit in their lives or the Spirit-filled Church. They do believe that cultural value of the Church is good for them and offers them something, and they want their children brought up in the cultural atmosphere of the Church. They seek after lectures on flower arrangements, child-rearing, book reviews and all sorts of things. It is a foregone conclusion that they are not going to be at home among God's regenerated people who are intent upon spiritual advance.
So, we will always have to be be aware that this kind of discontent is going to rule out a few, and we are made sad by their dicision. But we thank God for those who will be in their glory if we go constantly to the grass roots, weeding out everything that is not of God and keeping the grain growing lush and beautiful. Thank God for those who want to gear into things heavenly and walk with God and obey the truth and love one another!
Those who are in a Spirit-filled congregation
Who are these people who will be happy and contented and fulfilled in a Spirit-filled congregation? They are those who have a leading ambition to be rid of their sins.
I believe we ought to have the sincere to be rid of our sins. If I had a cancer growing in my neck, I would want to be rid of it - the sooner the better!
Let us talk about getting rid of our sins. Some people that are overwhelmed with the desire to be free from their sins have had refining fire go through their hearts sanctifying the whole person.
These people will be happy in a Church that would not allow any form of "cancer" to be in the congregation. They want to know God and to walk with God. Their ambition is to follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They ar the Lord's people and they know and appreciate one another. No matter what our backgrounds or where we come from, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have learned to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. We will be at home in a Spirit-filled Church.
The true Christian Church can be a conglomeration of everything under the son. That is, we may ha Calvinists and Methodists and Baptists and members of Assemblies of God and all sorts of believers, and yet we are all together on one thing - Jesus Christ our Lord. He is all wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption! He is All in all, and the people of the Lord who have learned to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd gravitate toward that kind of Church.
Thank God for those in the Churches who would rather hear the voice of Jesus than to hear the voice of the greatest preachers. Thank God for those who would rather be conscious of the Divine Presence than to be in the presence of the greates man in the world.
These are the things in which we believe: Jesus Christ the Lord; clean living; decency and separation from all things that are wrong; joyful, radiant, joyful worship; sweet fellowship based on kindliness and patience, endurance and honesty. Above all things, "Worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness." Amen.
Let us take a look at the second chapter of Acts. Peter and all the disciples were gathered together when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were with one accord in one place. Suddenly as they were gathered there come a sound from heaven as the sound of a rushing mighty wind. It was not a rushing, might wind - it was the sound of such a wind. It filled the entire house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). Little tongues of fire sat upon each one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other tongues. Seventeen nations were there and heard them speak in their own languages. The ones that could be amazed were amazed. The doubters doubted, and the questioners said, "What does this mean?" Those who sat in the seat of the scornful were also present, and they said, "They are full of new wine" (Acts 2:13, NKJV).
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and sign which God did through Him in your midst, ... (Acts 2:22). He proceeded to tell them how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled prophecy and from there on, it was all about Jesus of Nazareth. Peter testified that: "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32, 32). He then said: "Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly that God has made his Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). So, the important things, according to Peter, was the fact that Jesus had been exalted.
When Peter stood up
Jesus Himself had said on that last great day of the feast at Jerusalem: "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
It is therefore plain that glorification of Jesus brought the Holy Spirit - where Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit comes. He does not have to be begged. Let us get it into our heart - the Holy Spirit comes when the Savior is glorified. When Christ is truly honored, the Spirit comes.
Let us take note, particularly Acts 2:14 - "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them ..." He stood up, and then he lifted up his voice.
Notice that Peter here stands for the whole Church of God. Peter was the first man to get on his feet after the Holy Spirit had come to the Church. Peter had believed the Lord's Word and he had received confirmation in his heart. The difference between faith as it is found in the New Testament and faith as it is found now is that faith in the New Testament actually produced something - there was a confirmation of it.
Faith now is the beginning and an end. We hav faith in faith - but nothing happens. They had faith in a risen Christ and something did happen. That is the difference.
Now, here was Peter standing, and he lifted up his voice. And that should be the business of the Church - stand up and lift up. Peter became a witness on earth, as the Church should be, to things in heaven. The Church must be a witness to powers beyond the earthly and the human. It grieves the Lord that the Church is now trying to run on its human powers!
The Church that carry on in its own power
Peter testified to something beyond the human and the earthly. Some power that lay beyond the earthly scene was interested us, and was willing to enter and become known to us. That power turns out to be none other than the Spirit of God Himself.
So, Peter, witnessing to things he had experienced, wanted to influence, urged and exhorted those who had not yet experienced to enter in.
Now, let us consider the Church trying to carry on in its own power. In my opinion, that kind of Christianity makes God sick, for it is trying to run a heavenly institution after an earthly manner. What we need is divine power. The Church that seeks God's power will have something to offer besides social clubs, garden tea parties, fashion shows and all of the other side issues.
First, we must strive to make our beliefs and practices New Testament in their content. We must teach and believe New Testament truths, with nothing dragged in from the outside. It means we must be going constantly back to the grass roots, to the basic.
Second, we must also earnestly, sacrificially and prayerfully, strive to be empowered with the same power that came upon them.
Peter said: "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32, 32). We must live to gear ourselves into things eternal and to live the life of heaven here upon the earth. We must put loyalty to Christ first at any cost. Anything less than that really isn't a Christian Church. I would rather be a member of a group that meets in a little room on a side street than to be part of a great going activity that is not New Testament in its doctrine, in its spirit, in its living, in its holinee, and in all of its texture an tenor. We need not expect to be popular in such a Church, but certain fruits will follow if we make a Church that kind of a Church.
Characteristics of a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led congregation
They will be a joyful people. Church history tells us how the Holy Spirit came upon the Moravians one October morning in 1727. They were having communion. They went out joyful from that place, scarcely knowing whether they were in earth or had died and already gone to heaven. That joyfulness was characteristic of the Moravians for a hundred years. They were not just a happy people in the sense of working up their happiness - their joy came from within.
We do have many professing Christians in our day who are not joyful, but they spend time trying to work it up. I believe when we give God His place in the Church, when we recognize Christ as Lord high and lifted up, when we give the Holy Spirit His place, there will be joy that doesn't have to be worked up. It will be a joy that springs like a fountain. That is one important charactistic of a Spirit-filled congregation. They will be a joyful people, and it will be easy to distinguish them from the children of the world.
Benefits of a Spirit-filled congregation
A Spirit-filled congregation is useful in the neighborhood - useful to the sons of men, even the ones that are not converted. In another sense, we are to be influential among the Churches, as well.
I would like to see a Church becomes so godly, so Spirit-filled that it would have a spiritual influence on all the Churches in the entire area. I would like to see every Christian and every Church become so Spirit-filled, walking with God, learning to worship, living so clean and so separated that everybody would know it and the other Churches in the same area would be blessed on account of it.
Church history tells us that when Luther carried out his reformation, the Catholic Church was forced to clean up - the moral pressure from Lutheranism brought about change in the Roman Church. When Wesley came and preached throughout England, the Anglican Church was forced to clean up some of the things that were wrong. Methodism was a spiritual force that compelled other to do somethin about their own condition.
There is no reason why we could not be a people so filled with the Holy Spirit, so joyfully singing His praises and living so clean in our business and home and school that the people and other Churches would know it and recognize it.
But, of course, there are some Christians who just won't even fill at home in a Spirit-filled congregation. Not all men have faith and there are some who don't want that kind of Church. For example, the people who put on religion as a well-pressed Sunday garment won't like that kind of joyful Church.
The cross of Jesus Christ changes men's plans
Let us be reminded that the cross of Jesus Christ always changes men's plans. The cross of Christ is revolutionary, and if we are not ready to let it be revolutionary in us or let it cost us anything or control us in any way, we are not going to like a Church that takes the things of God seriously.
People want the benefits of the Cross but yet they do not want to bow to the control of the cross. They want to tak all the cross can offer but they don't want to be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Those who expect religion to be fun won't like that kind of a Spirit-filled congregation. We have just gone through a long period when Christianity was the "funniest" thing on earth. Many of us have been told that we could have more fun serving Jesus than we could do anything else in the world. It is clean, too - and we don't have a hangover! But we can get drunk in the Holy Spirit.
Can you imagine some people would think that the purpose of being a Christian is for the sake of fun - Christianity as an entertaining medium? The whole thing is offensive and foul before God Almight. Seriously, the cross of Christ isn't fun, and it never was fun. It is most solemn.
The joy of the Lord
There is a such thing as the joy of the Lord which is the strength of His people. There is such a thing as having joy unspeakable and full of glory. But the idea that Christianity is another form of entertainment is perfectly ridiculous.
When I sing "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound," I am worshipping the Lord God Almighty. If you want to call "entertainment" that which they do before the throne when they cry day and night without ceasing, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," then I am an entertainer. If it isn't entertainment - and it certainly isn't - then I am a worshipper.
The Church must worship, beloved! There is more healing joy in five minutes of worship that there is in five nights of revelry and worldly entertainment. Nobody ever worshipped God and then went out and committed suicide as a hangover. Many a man has killed himself because he had just burned himself out trying to have fun. Many a pretty young woman has thrown herself into having fun, and before she is twenty-five, she has to have a make-over job done on her countenance - she has simply burned herself out.
How I love to see the grace and the joy of the Lord in a face! I believe many true Christians love that too.
Cultural values of the Church
People who embrace a Church for its cultural value will not be happy and satisfied in a Spirit-filled congregation. These people don't know anything about the Spirit in their lives or the Spirit-filled Church. They do believe that cultural value of the Church is good for them and offers them something, and they want their children brought up in the cultural atmosphere of the Church. They seek after lectures on flower arrangements, child-rearing, book reviews and all sorts of things. It is a foregone conclusion that they are not going to be at home among God's regenerated people who are intent upon spiritual advance.
So, we will always have to be be aware that this kind of discontent is going to rule out a few, and we are made sad by their dicision. But we thank God for those who will be in their glory if we go constantly to the grass roots, weeding out everything that is not of God and keeping the grain growing lush and beautiful. Thank God for those who want to gear into things heavenly and walk with God and obey the truth and love one another!
Those who are in a Spirit-filled congregation
Who are these people who will be happy and contented and fulfilled in a Spirit-filled congregation? They are those who have a leading ambition to be rid of their sins.
I believe we ought to have the sincere to be rid of our sins. If I had a cancer growing in my neck, I would want to be rid of it - the sooner the better!
Let us talk about getting rid of our sins. Some people that are overwhelmed with the desire to be free from their sins have had refining fire go through their hearts sanctifying the whole person.
These people will be happy in a Church that would not allow any form of "cancer" to be in the congregation. They want to know God and to walk with God. Their ambition is to follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They ar the Lord's people and they know and appreciate one another. No matter what our backgrounds or where we come from, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have learned to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. We will be at home in a Spirit-filled Church.
The true Christian Church can be a conglomeration of everything under the son. That is, we may ha Calvinists and Methodists and Baptists and members of Assemblies of God and all sorts of believers, and yet we are all together on one thing - Jesus Christ our Lord. He is all wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption! He is All in all, and the people of the Lord who have learned to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd gravitate toward that kind of Church.
Thank God for those in the Churches who would rather hear the voice of Jesus than to hear the voice of the greatest preachers. Thank God for those who would rather be conscious of the Divine Presence than to be in the presence of the greates man in the world.
These are the things in which we believe: Jesus Christ the Lord; clean living; decency and separation from all things that are wrong; joyful, radiant, joyful worship; sweet fellowship based on kindliness and patience, endurance and honesty. Above all things, "Worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness." Amen.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Marks of the New Testament Church
Not only do we have the Holy Spirit indwelling every single believer, but He also dwells in us corporately as the Body of Christ. We are described as living stones being built into a building, with Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
Peter said: "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spritual sacrifices accepted to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:4, 5, NKJV).
As Christians we no longer have the option or luxury of an individualist life because we are part of something bigger than a group of individuals with the Lord in common. We therefore need to see ourselves not as 'going to Church' or 'going to a meeting,' but being the Church and functioning with the other members in a unified way. As part of the Body of Christ each part is necessary and matters, whether the individual believes that to be the case or not (read 1 Cor. 12:14 - 26). If one part suffers then every part suffers. If we are not feeling the suffering of those members of the Body who hurt, including those in prison around the world, then we are not functioning fully as the Body of Christ. Our lives are meant to be interdependent in such a way that we can meaningfully bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ to love one another (Gal. 6:2). There is still in most of us too much of self, too much individualism, which is more cultural than Biblical and part of the spirit of the age. It is also part of the old sin nature that needs to be put to death.
Paul said: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:4, 5).
Even in the Body of Christ there are ministers who belong nowhere and are accoutable to nobody. God wants His children to be part of the family in more than theory and to have a meaningful relationship with each other. The world is suppose to say: "See how they love one another." In fact you hear more often: "Why can't they agree?" Renewal clearly has to touch us in this area much more than has happened hitherto.
Restoration of the New Testament pattern
Let us consider the marks of the New Testament Church, all of which can be quite easily restored if we want them enough. Let us look at some verse of Scripture in Acts 2.
"An they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:42 - 47, emphasis added).
Note the four things the early Church committed to do - study the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Let us consider each one in some details:
1. The apostles' doctrine
They were devoted and committed to a program of teaching to bring them to maturity. This was far more than regular weekly teaching (in Sunday/Saturday Church service). Often, in some cases, the teaching session would go right on into the late hours (Acts 20:7 - 11).
In those days teaching had to be verbal because some could not read and books were not available anyway, so the way they showed their devotion was by attending a continual program of spoken teaching. In today's context it means devoted to Bible study and reading. New Christians generally have an insatiable appetite to read but many lose it in the process of time. There should be a program of recommended reading of the Bible or Christian materials so that the initial enthusiasm and devotion can be encouraged and directed. Bible/Christianity basics need to be systematically covered. A good Topical Bible and concordance can help.
The writer of Hebrews listed these basics: "Therefore, leaving the dicussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits" (Heb. 6:1 - 3).
These are the six basic areas where the believers receive instruction as part of their grounding in faith. I believe many contemporary Church members were not taught of these basics, especially the laying on of hands. Therefore, we have a lot of catching up to do if we want to be like the early Church. We all have access of the Bible so that we can learn about them ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to give us revelation. The Body of Christ needs the teaching ministries to nourish and build up the Church, and for a fresh devotion to hearing and applying the pure Word of God.
2. Fellowship
The mutual commitment of a group of believers to each other cannot happen if you rarely meet and split your life between work, home and Church. There is a great need for love and belonging together in the Body of Christ, because many find refuge there from a harsh world. We need to establish that sense of togetherness, that we have thrown in our lot with the other believers, whoever they are, because they too are the Lord's. Devotion to the fellowship is like a triangle with Jesus at the top, you at the base ine one corner and other believers in the other corner. As you and the other believers move closer to the Lord you move closer to one another. Equally as you move closer to one another you move closer to the Lord. We really do need each other and to know that the commitment is mutual - us to the fellowship and fellowship to us.
It is very important that believers find where they belong to the Body of Christ and are committed to that group of believers so that the others can also be committed to them. This is done more than membership and cannot be forced. It has to come from a real sense of belonging.
3. Breaking of bread
The breaking of bread to which the group of believers devoted themselves was the 'agape' love feast, as it was known until the second century when it effectively stopped due to religious leaders turning it into a service and away from its proper purpose. It was not communion as such, but it was more than an ordinary meal. The 'breaking of bread' or 'Holy communion' which we now have is very different from the practice of the early Church. Because we have kept the name we tend to assume that they did what we do, but that is not the case. Basically if was a fellowship meal together that would have led on into singing, praise and worship and really bonded together the believers. They basically came together to eat (1 Cor. 11:33) and after eating a meal would remember Jesus in the passing of the bread and wine before going on into the meeting, almost like a thank-you after the meal. The apostles may well have based it on the practice of Jesus. It was after supper that He passed the cup (1 cor. 11:25) and they then say a hymn (Mark 14:26). This was probably a regular feature of the disciples' fellowship together, although this is the only reference.
This ministry is sometimes neglected and is included within the whole area of hospitality. It must be based on the Luke 14 principle of need, rather that inviting those you like. We should in fact be doing both without partiality, but particularly to the needy in the Body, the lonely, the widows, the single parent families and those who may look fine but are not (read Luke 14:12 - 14).
4. Prayers
The early believers were devoted to prayer. I believe if Christians were even half as devoted to prayer, individually and corporately, the Local Church would be transformed. Consider what proportion of your Church or fellowship regularly attends a prayer meeting. It is there that the devotion can be seen. Because we are all responsible for our own time it is nobody else's fault. There is nothing to stop us being devoted and going, whatever anybody else does or does not go, but the fact is that if there is little prayer there will be little power and little effectiveness. Devotion to prayer bring down the power of God.
"And when they had prayed, the place were they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
The early core of believers was 120 (Acts 1:15) and these 120 were present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). The question is, where were the other to whom Jesus had appeared, as He appeared to over 500 at one time (1 Cor. 15:6). Paul said that some of them had 'fallen aleep' (died). But somehow many of them had not joined the early Church. Or if they had, they were not there with the rest praying on the day of Pentecost. The 120 were 120 devoted pray-ers - "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14).
The real point is that those devoted to being together to pray received the power and even if we are one of the 500 who have had a revelation of Jesus there is a better place still, namely being locked together with other believers seeking God in prayer. I believe some of the 500 who were not there but heard about the Pentecost regretted for not being there. They certainly would never miss another prayer meeting!
Things happen at prayer meetings where there is devotion to seeking the Lord and prayer needs to be a very hig priority, not just alone at home, but with other members of the Body of Ghrist. Ideally they would all ray together as a Body, but if this is impossible then at least in areas. If we want early Church power we need early Church prayer!
I believe there has to be link between the teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and signs following. When the Body of Christ is together in unity and functioning Biblically the Lord gives His blessings (read Psalm 133). Perhaps the current absence of the visible power of God in some Local Churches has to do with the absence of these other factors as well. Certainly where they are being restored the signs are beginning to follow. If we were less concerned with the signs and more with the Glory of God and representing Jesus on the earth they would just naturally flow from manifesting the life of Jesus within us.
Believers had all things in common
In the early Church believers were together in unity and had all things in common. This is often misunderstood, because if they had all sold their houses there would have been an immediate housing crisis to deal with! In fact they all re-evaluate all their possessions, sold what was not needed and use the money to meet the needs of those who had nothing. Many of them had probably been forced to leave home through being Christians, and might well have joined the church with literally nothing but the clothes they stood in. Those who had two houses sold the second one. We know that they kept some to fellowship in, because they broke bread from house to house (Acts 2:46). The key lies in the willingness to give everything to the Lord - "Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold" (Acts 4:32 - 35).
Benefits of a greater degree of sharing
It is quite possible for the Body of Christ to return t a greater degree of sharing, and not considering possessions to be for our own exclusive use. The early Church had a real revelation that they had been bought by the Lord along with everything they had, and it was all available for the Body. It was seen as God's and not their own. The sprit of the world has infiltrated the Church if we think that all we have is ours for our own exclusive enjoyment. We can return to the concept of sharing if we are closely knitted together as a fellowship. This does not necessarily mean all putting their income into one pool and everyone drawing out what they need. Rather it is an openness to acknowledge that everything comes from God, that we have personal stewardship and accountability, and to be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit in giving to the needs of the Body. Giving should be done with maximum free-will, in secret and in faith, not under compulsion, publicly and as a sort of levy where faith is not exercised (2 Cor. 9:7). Giving is in essence sowing to the Kingdom and an investment in the future. We will reap what we sow.
God adde to their number. Where there is life and commitment in the fellowship growth will occur. This is the best form of evangelism, not just preaching the Gospel but living it! whee love and power are evident those who seek after truth will find the Lord. We should be proud to bring visitors to our meetings, because of what the Lord has done among us. If life is there unbelievers will discern it. Paul expects unbelivers to be at the service (1 Cor. 14:22 - 25), and for them to fall down and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is truly among you' if the Body functions with tongues and prophecy. That is a further reason for having meetings of this kind, because they have an evangelistic role as well and can bring in far more numerical growth than the conventional type of mission. It also make follow-up that much easier.
Conclusion
If we are willing to live as the early Church did, be as devoted as they were and walk in faith and power as they didm then we will see God working mightily among us as they did. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and the promise of the Spirit is for us.
Peter, in his sermon after pentecost said: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:38, 39).
If we do not have the power it is not because the promise is invalid and applies to a different dispensation. It is because God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Furthermore, if we reject Biblical truth the Holy Spirit is grived and restricted in His work. In these last days before Jesus returns we have a wonderful opportunity to see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and outside the Church if we will do His work His way.
Peter said: "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spritual sacrifices accepted to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:4, 5, NKJV).
As Christians we no longer have the option or luxury of an individualist life because we are part of something bigger than a group of individuals with the Lord in common. We therefore need to see ourselves not as 'going to Church' or 'going to a meeting,' but being the Church and functioning with the other members in a unified way. As part of the Body of Christ each part is necessary and matters, whether the individual believes that to be the case or not (read 1 Cor. 12:14 - 26). If one part suffers then every part suffers. If we are not feeling the suffering of those members of the Body who hurt, including those in prison around the world, then we are not functioning fully as the Body of Christ. Our lives are meant to be interdependent in such a way that we can meaningfully bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ to love one another (Gal. 6:2). There is still in most of us too much of self, too much individualism, which is more cultural than Biblical and part of the spirit of the age. It is also part of the old sin nature that needs to be put to death.
Paul said: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:4, 5).
Even in the Body of Christ there are ministers who belong nowhere and are accoutable to nobody. God wants His children to be part of the family in more than theory and to have a meaningful relationship with each other. The world is suppose to say: "See how they love one another." In fact you hear more often: "Why can't they agree?" Renewal clearly has to touch us in this area much more than has happened hitherto.
Restoration of the New Testament pattern
Let us consider the marks of the New Testament Church, all of which can be quite easily restored if we want them enough. Let us look at some verse of Scripture in Acts 2.
"An they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:42 - 47, emphasis added).
Note the four things the early Church committed to do - study the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. Let us consider each one in some details:
1. The apostles' doctrine
They were devoted and committed to a program of teaching to bring them to maturity. This was far more than regular weekly teaching (in Sunday/Saturday Church service). Often, in some cases, the teaching session would go right on into the late hours (Acts 20:7 - 11).
In those days teaching had to be verbal because some could not read and books were not available anyway, so the way they showed their devotion was by attending a continual program of spoken teaching. In today's context it means devoted to Bible study and reading. New Christians generally have an insatiable appetite to read but many lose it in the process of time. There should be a program of recommended reading of the Bible or Christian materials so that the initial enthusiasm and devotion can be encouraged and directed. Bible/Christianity basics need to be systematically covered. A good Topical Bible and concordance can help.
The writer of Hebrews listed these basics: "Therefore, leaving the dicussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits" (Heb. 6:1 - 3).
These are the six basic areas where the believers receive instruction as part of their grounding in faith. I believe many contemporary Church members were not taught of these basics, especially the laying on of hands. Therefore, we have a lot of catching up to do if we want to be like the early Church. We all have access of the Bible so that we can learn about them ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to give us revelation. The Body of Christ needs the teaching ministries to nourish and build up the Church, and for a fresh devotion to hearing and applying the pure Word of God.
2. Fellowship
The mutual commitment of a group of believers to each other cannot happen if you rarely meet and split your life between work, home and Church. There is a great need for love and belonging together in the Body of Christ, because many find refuge there from a harsh world. We need to establish that sense of togetherness, that we have thrown in our lot with the other believers, whoever they are, because they too are the Lord's. Devotion to the fellowship is like a triangle with Jesus at the top, you at the base ine one corner and other believers in the other corner. As you and the other believers move closer to the Lord you move closer to one another. Equally as you move closer to one another you move closer to the Lord. We really do need each other and to know that the commitment is mutual - us to the fellowship and fellowship to us.
It is very important that believers find where they belong to the Body of Christ and are committed to that group of believers so that the others can also be committed to them. This is done more than membership and cannot be forced. It has to come from a real sense of belonging.
3. Breaking of bread
The breaking of bread to which the group of believers devoted themselves was the 'agape' love feast, as it was known until the second century when it effectively stopped due to religious leaders turning it into a service and away from its proper purpose. It was not communion as such, but it was more than an ordinary meal. The 'breaking of bread' or 'Holy communion' which we now have is very different from the practice of the early Church. Because we have kept the name we tend to assume that they did what we do, but that is not the case. Basically if was a fellowship meal together that would have led on into singing, praise and worship and really bonded together the believers. They basically came together to eat (1 Cor. 11:33) and after eating a meal would remember Jesus in the passing of the bread and wine before going on into the meeting, almost like a thank-you after the meal. The apostles may well have based it on the practice of Jesus. It was after supper that He passed the cup (1 cor. 11:25) and they then say a hymn (Mark 14:26). This was probably a regular feature of the disciples' fellowship together, although this is the only reference.
This ministry is sometimes neglected and is included within the whole area of hospitality. It must be based on the Luke 14 principle of need, rather that inviting those you like. We should in fact be doing both without partiality, but particularly to the needy in the Body, the lonely, the widows, the single parent families and those who may look fine but are not (read Luke 14:12 - 14).
4. Prayers
The early believers were devoted to prayer. I believe if Christians were even half as devoted to prayer, individually and corporately, the Local Church would be transformed. Consider what proportion of your Church or fellowship regularly attends a prayer meeting. It is there that the devotion can be seen. Because we are all responsible for our own time it is nobody else's fault. There is nothing to stop us being devoted and going, whatever anybody else does or does not go, but the fact is that if there is little prayer there will be little power and little effectiveness. Devotion to prayer bring down the power of God.
"And when they had prayed, the place were they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
The early core of believers was 120 (Acts 1:15) and these 120 were present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). The question is, where were the other to whom Jesus had appeared, as He appeared to over 500 at one time (1 Cor. 15:6). Paul said that some of them had 'fallen aleep' (died). But somehow many of them had not joined the early Church. Or if they had, they were not there with the rest praying on the day of Pentecost. The 120 were 120 devoted pray-ers - "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14).
The real point is that those devoted to being together to pray received the power and even if we are one of the 500 who have had a revelation of Jesus there is a better place still, namely being locked together with other believers seeking God in prayer. I believe some of the 500 who were not there but heard about the Pentecost regretted for not being there. They certainly would never miss another prayer meeting!
Things happen at prayer meetings where there is devotion to seeking the Lord and prayer needs to be a very hig priority, not just alone at home, but with other members of the Body of Ghrist. Ideally they would all ray together as a Body, but if this is impossible then at least in areas. If we want early Church power we need early Church prayer!
I believe there has to be link between the teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and signs following. When the Body of Christ is together in unity and functioning Biblically the Lord gives His blessings (read Psalm 133). Perhaps the current absence of the visible power of God in some Local Churches has to do with the absence of these other factors as well. Certainly where they are being restored the signs are beginning to follow. If we were less concerned with the signs and more with the Glory of God and representing Jesus on the earth they would just naturally flow from manifesting the life of Jesus within us.
Believers had all things in common
In the early Church believers were together in unity and had all things in common. This is often misunderstood, because if they had all sold their houses there would have been an immediate housing crisis to deal with! In fact they all re-evaluate all their possessions, sold what was not needed and use the money to meet the needs of those who had nothing. Many of them had probably been forced to leave home through being Christians, and might well have joined the church with literally nothing but the clothes they stood in. Those who had two houses sold the second one. We know that they kept some to fellowship in, because they broke bread from house to house (Acts 2:46). The key lies in the willingness to give everything to the Lord - "Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold" (Acts 4:32 - 35).
Benefits of a greater degree of sharing
It is quite possible for the Body of Christ to return t a greater degree of sharing, and not considering possessions to be for our own exclusive use. The early Church had a real revelation that they had been bought by the Lord along with everything they had, and it was all available for the Body. It was seen as God's and not their own. The sprit of the world has infiltrated the Church if we think that all we have is ours for our own exclusive enjoyment. We can return to the concept of sharing if we are closely knitted together as a fellowship. This does not necessarily mean all putting their income into one pool and everyone drawing out what they need. Rather it is an openness to acknowledge that everything comes from God, that we have personal stewardship and accountability, and to be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit in giving to the needs of the Body. Giving should be done with maximum free-will, in secret and in faith, not under compulsion, publicly and as a sort of levy where faith is not exercised (2 Cor. 9:7). Giving is in essence sowing to the Kingdom and an investment in the future. We will reap what we sow.
God adde to their number. Where there is life and commitment in the fellowship growth will occur. This is the best form of evangelism, not just preaching the Gospel but living it! whee love and power are evident those who seek after truth will find the Lord. We should be proud to bring visitors to our meetings, because of what the Lord has done among us. If life is there unbelievers will discern it. Paul expects unbelivers to be at the service (1 Cor. 14:22 - 25), and for them to fall down and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is truly among you' if the Body functions with tongues and prophecy. That is a further reason for having meetings of this kind, because they have an evangelistic role as well and can bring in far more numerical growth than the conventional type of mission. It also make follow-up that much easier.
Conclusion
If we are willing to live as the early Church did, be as devoted as they were and walk in faith and power as they didm then we will see God working mightily among us as they did. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and the promise of the Spirit is for us.
Peter, in his sermon after pentecost said: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:38, 39).
If we do not have the power it is not because the promise is invalid and applies to a different dispensation. It is because God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Furthermore, if we reject Biblical truth the Holy Spirit is grived and restricted in His work. In these last days before Jesus returns we have a wonderful opportunity to see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and outside the Church if we will do His work His way.
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