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The church in the book of Acts did not have telephones or the printing press, let alone radio, tv and the internet. Yet after Jesus ascended their numbers grew from the 120 that gathered in Jerusalem to 5,000 in a short time. Within 3 centuries Christianity became a dominant force in the Roman Empire. God has often chosen to use the few and the weak according to this world. He has also chosen to use you in a special capacity that belongs to you alone!
Do not believe the lie that you are insignificant! The Creator of the entire universe is calling you to turn from serving your will and the will of others to serving Him and His glorious purpose in the Kingdom of God! Trust Him today! You have a part in building a better world as He prepares you and molds you into His image. You can be a part in His Church, His body, that is crashing down the gates of hell!
Lately I have been looking to the New Testament and particularly the book of Acts and comparing the practices and methods of the early church with those of today. I would challenge you to do the same. Is it possible that our traditions and patterns of thinking have placed a heavy load on us that God never intended? Could these traditions and patterns of thinking actually hinder us from enjoying life in the fullness of God’s wonderful plan?
Jesus challenges us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. Maybe not an easy path, but definitely one that will liberate us from the self-centered version of the Gospel that we often hear today. It is only in losing our lives that we truly find our lives fully in Him!
True, in the Acts era there were not phones or internet or printing presses. Nor did they even possess a complete New Testament. Nor did they depend upon advanced learning or eloquence to move forward in a world which prized such things. Quite the opposite.
They were dependent upon the promised Holy Spirit. And upon everyone being authorized and energized to convey the good news.
Somehow – this dependence seems to have been all but lost, especially in the West.
Dan, a big blast of cold air is about to hit your region. And slow things down to a crawl. Likewise the Church has slowly but surely been impeded by priestcraft and mere religious rituals. Mostly borrowed from Rome.
May the Lord of the Harvest have mercy upon us.
David,
You wrote: “They were dependent upon the promised Holy Spirit. And upon everyone being authorized and energized to convey the good news.
Somehow – this dependence seems to have been all but lost, especially in the West.”
You have managed to make the important point in just a few words. It is not always the case, but too often the majority of believers in a given group can be sidelined. How we all need to be reminded that we are all needed in this great Gospel adventure!