The Book of Acts of the 21st Century Church
We must be a church and people powerful in both word and deed.
The 21st Century Church is by and large known to the WORLD by its Acts of abstention - for what it does not do - rather than for what it does do glorifying God through preaching the gospel and its Acts of miracles, healings, mercy etc etc.
Step back for a minute and think seriously - how do you impact the non-christian world around you? and then ask the same about your church. I mean what do you/your church DO in your neighbourhood/in your sphere of influence. I mean for real? What do you DO. How does the world know you are Christ's disciples? What happens? If not a lot happens apart from religiousness then something is wrong somewhere isn't it?
If a Book of Acts were written about the 21st Century Church today, by and large it would be very bland- covering Sunday meetings, house groups, poorly attended prayer meetings, church committee meetings, church conferences and little else....part from a little twist and shout goin' on at Brownsville/Toronto Blessing style meetings and the numerous Simon the Sorcerers attempting to sell the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands on the television networks livening up a few chapters. I mean can you imagine if that's what was ALL that was passed down by our Christian forefathers to us?! No earthquake shaking the Philipian Jail, but Paul and Silas didn't do drugs and sex. No healing of the man at the temple gate Beautiful, but Peter tithed regularly. No raising of the dead man the fell out of the window, but they had a Bible Study instead, oh and then they had a Promise Keepers meeting. Inspiring, huh?
Don't like what you hear? Neither do I. But, come on, you know it's true, even in the Pentecostal and Charismatics Churches. *
Of course, the Book of Acts is not just about power ministry and evangelism and church growth - but we can hardly boast about our mercy ministries either feeding the poor, looking after the widow and ophans etc. The church has become far too narcisitic, self-centred and inward-looking to give much to the world. Call it man-centered but it is not Christ-centeredness that drives it. Purpose-driven? Mammon-driven perhaps.
* I know I am generalising. Miracles still happen today, God is still glorified. God is faithful and merciful to each generation but we don't do much to help him out...:).
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About the Author
Called by God to speak His word. I am a Christian who believes in and worships a supernatural God, who may only be approached through humbling oneself in repentance and accepting the work done on the Cross by the Lord Jesus Christ.