The Power Of The Church
Acts 1
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that
they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise
of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
What is the power of the church? What makes the church of Jesus
Christ different from any other organization?
It is none other than the Holy Spirit! Jesus promised the disciples
power to be His witnesses. Apparently they had already discovered
that they could not live in their own strength. Even Peter denied
that he even knew Jesus. The others had fled when the soldiers
took Jesus in the garden. Now Jesus is promising power. Not power
for power�s sake - not some personal glorifying trademark, but
power from on high - power from God - power to live the Christian
life, be holy, and witness for Jesus effectively.
Acts 2
1. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
We believe the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
is speaking in tongues. It is evident that on the day of Pentecost
that is what they did. Some say that was just so the foreigners
could hear and understand the gospel. That may be part of it,
but then why did they speak with tongues at the home of Cornelius?
Acts 10: 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God...
There is no indication that anyone was there but Cornelius� family.
And why did they speak with tongues at Ephesus?
Acts 19: 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Paul mentions speaking with the tongues of angels.
1 Corinthians 13
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so
that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
So, we see that the initial evidence seems to be speaking in
tongues. But what is the lasting evidence? What is the continuing
evidence?
I dare say that there are many who spoke with tongues when they
received the Holy Spirit, and they still speak with tongues, but
that is about all they do. There is no other evidence that there
is anything there at all. There speaking in tongues has become
like a "sounding brass" and a "tinkling cymbal".
We certainly need to develop the �fruit of the Spirit�, but that
is another subject that will have to wait. Right now I am concerned
about the missing POWER. There must be more to it than we have
experienced.
See what happened in the early church -
Acts 2
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and
the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
God was miraculously and dramatically adding to the church. Church
growth is certainly not for the sake of having more people, but
growth is an indicator that something is happening. The Holy Spirit
was drawing people into the church.
Acts 2
42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs
were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men,
as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
See what else was happening:
The people continued with the disciples. This was not just a
fleeting revival with disappearing results. These people came
in and stayed in. Often we see �hundreds� and �thousands� come
to the altars in our modern crusades, but we end up with only
�dozens� of keepers.
A holy fear came upon the people. This was the �fear of the Lord�.
It was the wonder of His presence. People could not be light and
frivolous in the presence of the Almighty.
Signs and wonders were taking place. Miracles abounded. Today,
we may see a miracle or two. That�s all our anemic faith can muster.
Where are the miracles of Pentecost where everybody got healed?
These people met together daily and shared all they had with one
another. The general public respected them, because their testimony
was good.
Look what the Holy Spirit power did for the church:
There were healings -
Acts 3
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I
have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise
up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them
into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
They had seen Jesus heal. He had promised them power and said
they would do the works that he had done. Why not healing?
There was powerful preaching.
Acts 3
12. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men
of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on
us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man
to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of
our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up,
and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined
to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer
to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the
dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man
strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath
given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it,
as did also your rulers.
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth
of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached
unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution
of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy
prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the
Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me;
him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not
hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow
after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these
days.
25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant
which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy
seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him
to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Peter preached direct and bold. He pulled no punches. He preached
the gospel - salvation through Jesus. He laid their sin open for
all to see.
And look at the boldness they had:
Acts 4
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the
next day: for it was now eventide.
There was persecution. But that did not stop the disciples. They
were true to the cause regardless of the consequences.
Acts 4
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye
rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the
impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified,
whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand
here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders,
which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and
they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
The religious leaders took note of the boldness of this unschooled
fisherman. It was out of character. Something had changed. In
fact, this particular individual had been unstable and impetuous
up until now. Suddenly he is speaking with power and confidence.
Suddenly he is challenging the ones he used to cower before.
This man acts like one with power and authority. Where did he
get that? What happened that changed him? The Holy Spirit!
And what did the church do in response to this persecution? They
prayed! Man did they pray!
Acts 4
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God
with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the
heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered
together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast
anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and
the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined
before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and
wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they
were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
They prayed so hard the presence of the Lord came down and the
building shook. Where is the shaking today? We shake our fingers
preaching; we shake our fists at the devil; and sometimes we get
the Holy Ghost shakes and we shake all over. But when have we
seen God shake the place. That�s what I want to see - a sovereign
move of God.
Oh, but look what else happened. There was church discipline -
God kept things in order. He kept the people honest.
Acts 5
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to
lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the
land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was
sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this
thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the
ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
There was a holy fear of God like nothing we have ever seen.
Men were afraid to sin. The fires of hell and the retribution
of a holy God were very real to them. They trembled in awe at
the presence of God in their midst. No man dared to sin.
Perhaps if God were to show some instant judgment, we would wake
up and take notice.
As we read on, we see that the miracles and the excitement continued.
Acts 5
12. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders
wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in
Solomon's porch.
Where is that power and excitement today? We definitely should
not conjure it up. There is no virtue in doing it in our own.
It must be God and God alone.
Where is the power? God has not changed! The Holy Spirit has
not changed! The needs of man have not really changed! What has
changed is us - we�ve lost the fire!
Do you know why we have lost it? I believe there are two factors -
We have forgotten how to pray fervently, and we have forgotten
that the Spirit�s first name is Holy.
Prayer
You don�t get the great blessings of God without fervent prayer.
You might get a safe trip somewhere, or find something that you�ve
lost with casual prayers, but fervent prayers are what is needed
for the fire-touched life.
(Excerpts from Whatever Happened To The Power Of God)
The key to true power is perseverance in private prayer.
Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin-cursed
earth have been men and women of prayer. (D.L. Moody)
3 rules for prayer (from Moody Stuart)-
-pray until you pray
-pray till you are conscious of being heard
-pray till you receive the answer
Fervent prayer is the battle.
The prayers of Elijah impacted a whole nation. (He prayed with
intensity. He shut out all distractions.)
We must endure in prayer. Get desperate in prayer. Pour out
your heart, unburden your soul, plead your case to God.
Prayer is not effectual unless it is offered up with an agony of
desire.
When prayer rises to its true level, self, with its concerns and
needs, is for the time forgotten, and the interests of Christ
fill, and sometimes overwhelm, the soul. It is then that prayer
becomes intense.
Prayer is agony of soul, a wrestling of the spirit. (Catherine
Booth)
You must pray with all your might. It means fervent, effectual,
untiring wrestling with God. It means that grappling with
Omnipotence, that clinging to Him, following Him about, until
the answer comes and the end is gained. If you mean to succeed
you must shut you ears and eyes to all but what God has said.
You must pray with all your might. (Wm. Booth)
It is focused faith and concentrated concern.
Fervent prayer, and more of it, is the key.
It is ceasing to rely on yourself, crucifying the plans of the
natural mind, coming to the end of our own resources, spending
hours in God�s presence to become lie Him, and asking Him to
change us and rearrange us, to awake us and remake us, to act
and move on our behalf.
Also, power comes only through purity. Too many are seeking the
Spirit, but not the holiness. Holiness does not earn you the
power, it prepares you for it.
If you think you can just barge into the presence of God without
holiness, you�d better check the Old Testament instructions for
those who entered into the Most Holy place. If they entered in
unclean, they perished. Some were punished for offering strange
fire before the Lord. Others were punished for not properly
respecting the holy things of God.
Without holiness, no man shall see God. (Hebrews. 12:14)
Mt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
We will not see the power of God fall without repentance and a
return to the holiness of God. Remember that the Holy Spirit is
a holy spirit - the spirit of holiness.
1. I want those who are saved but have not yet been baptized in
the Holy Spirit to come forward to receive this great gift that
God has for all His children. Jesus told His disciples to
receive it. God promised it. It is the promise of the Father
that Jesus told them to wait for.
�but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have
heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost�
Lu 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
2. I want those of you who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit
to come and take a fresh drink from the fountain. Get a fresh
filling from God.
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