Have you ever stopped to recognize that the New Testament Church was birthed with power (Acts 1:8), experienced exponential growth by demonstrations of power (Acts 2:41), and kept on course through demonstrations of power (Acts 5:1-11)? It was only through the Holy Spirit’s power that the Church was the Church. (I’m using an upper case “c” to refer to the body of Christ and not a building.)
Is this a reflection of today’s Church? Let me answer this question by sharing a quote from one of my heroes, the great missionary to China, Hudson Taylor.
“Since the days of Pentecost, has the whole church ever put aside every other work and waited upon Him for ten days, that the Spirit’s power might be manifested? We give too much attention to method and machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power.”
If this supernatural power birthed on the Day of Pentecost is only obtainable through waiting on the Holy Spirit, why have we replaced the Holy Spirit with method, machinery, and resources? The answer is quite obvious. These substitutions take little time to obtain and require absolutely no sacrifice on the part of the seeker. Those waiting in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost pushed aside schedules to await the outpouring of God’s Spirit. It was a sacrificial act of obedience. But, waiting for His presence brought the Holy Spirit and His power and gained about 3,000 people for the Kingdom.
This is so simple. If there’s no resemblance of what you read in the Book of Acts Church to be found in your personally and in your church, check your connection with the Holy Spirit. Push aside the substitutes. Forget about the present day ministry click-and-download mentality. Learn the joy of waiting in His presence. In doing so, you will see the Book of Acts replicated over and over again. God’s power will show up. People will be saved. Lives will be transformed, healed, and delivered. The Church will grow.
Now, close this blog post, turn off your computer, and let the waiting begin.
