For Christians, all of life is the enterprise through which we glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The means by which we do that is simple: we must know who this God is and how we can enjoy Him forever. This is only derived from a robust understanding and application of Scripture and understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thus, when we are faced with whatever progressive ideals might creep in, the principle is one whereby we test all things according to Scripture empowered by the Holy Spirit.
I am convinced many within the broader church have been pressed into the mold of a system of thought the broader culture adopts (i.e. progressivism), and the foremost institution this has been accomplished through is education. Generations of children have come and gone through this institution, which with the adoption of evolution has rejected any involvement of God in science and now education, as a result, society is largely secular. God’s values have been jettisoned and the progressives now dominate our educational establishments and parliament.
How do we solve this dilemma? The answer is surprisingly simple but unflatteringly naïve to the world, and even many professing Christians. The Word of God must be re-established as the foundation for all of life. Everything else is subservient to it and must align with it. In other words, we live consistently to the message we proclaim, from the seemingly mundane choices we make in entertainment, to how we spend our money, raise and teach our children, and how we do church, which means getting back to church as outlined in the Book of Acts, house churches that make disciples, and more. Only then will we be salt and light in the world. Only then will the Holy Spirit truly lead believers and the fruit of the spirit will be evident in their lives: love, joy, peace patience, faith, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control. The ministry gifts, all nine will be evident including miracles, words of knowledge, and discerning of spirits.
The Gospel will then be unstoppable. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Foley Beach, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, provocatively but convincingly calls “neo-pagan Anglicanism”—Anglican in style but not substance.
Speaking with a prophetic mantle, Beach observes that “liberal innovations in theology and sexual ethics” are hidden within an orthodox façade, comparable, I would say, to the Trojan horse: This so-called gift to Anglicans in North America and Great Britain signals ruin. He bemoans:
“Neo-pagan Anglicanism is beautifully packaged in some of the most elegant liturgy, music, and tradition in Christianity. But it has become liturgy for the sake of liturgy, music for the sake of music, and tradition for the sake of tradition. As the apostle Paul wrote, they are “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). And as Athanasius argued against Arius’s heresy, the Jesus whom they promote is not the Jesus of which the Bible speaks.“
As a result of this tragic accommodation to culture, Beach eschews the flaccid slogans of Canterbury and New York City about “communion across difference,” “mutual flourishing,” and “walking together” because there can be no truce with heretics and schismatics who advance a counterfeit gospel (Romans 16:17–18). Estranged Anglicans in the Global North, he argues, can address their “ecclesial deficit” by joining forces with Anglican leaders from the Global South, who, beginning in 2008, formed the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), which has continued to serve as a vital reform movement: “As colonial and aging wineskins continue to promote neo-pagan beliefs and practices, the new wine of Christ’s continuing redemptive work will burst out to transform lives and renew our churches among the nations.”
I would like to think that Beach is right that GAFCON “will burst out to transform lives and renew our churches” but I do not believe the institutional church is capable of doing it.
C. S. Lewis envisioned Christianity as a house with “a hall out of which doors open into several rooms.” The rooms are ecclesial traditions that offer disciples a fire for warmth, a chair for rest, and a meal for nourishment and fellowship, whereas the hall is “mere” Christianity, a place where disciples greet and gift each other with riches from their respective rooms.
The Book of Acts describes the early church meeting in homes and the church in various cities, like the church in Antioch or the church in Caesarea were a collection of house churches but one church and the leaders of those house churches would often meet to deal with issues that sought to divide the church in that city. The “end times” persecuted church will be like the church in the Book of Acts and like we are now seeing in places where the church is already under intense persecution like in Africa, China, Middle East. Moreover, we are hearing amazing stories of the tremendous growth of the church in Iran.
WE RECOMMEND YOU LISTEN TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM KIM!
In these last years, so many people have left “the cruise ship” and joined “the warship”. They’ve found out that church is not just about having fellowship, but it’s about making disciples. And everyone who goes from just fellowship to discipleship, from cruise ship to warship, are seeing incredible fruit.
Kim is just one amongst many pastors, leaders, elders, and Christians who are stepping out of their comfort zone, and not just talking about, dreaming about, but OBEYING the Word of God. When they do, they see God doing amazing things but also face persecution because they are impacting Satan’s territory. Please watch this video, and join the warship with us!
Have you seen the Last Reformation free movies where they show more about this life? You can do that at the link here: https://thelastreformation.com/movies
Masa Mara County is next to Migori County where Pastor Charles is located. Both counties are on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Narok Town where they ministered is shown on this map
Hi Ron. We are back home from the trip to Masaai Mara,in Narok county. The KHC trip to this region was successful with a positive outcome, thanks to our Lord.
MEETINGS:
Several indoor & outdoor meetings were held during our trip, all with a positive outcome.
We witnessed many souls coming to Christ, the sick healed, sinners repented and five people were baptized. Many bound with a spirit of religion were loosed and gave their testimonies.
The majority of those people living in the county considered themselves Roman Catholics. Most testified that they had never heard the Gospel message of repentance and surrender before. Hence they now had a new understanding of baptism and what it meant; dying to self and arising a new creation in Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.
HOUSE MEETINGS
During house-to-house evangelism we met Mrs Paulina Anyango and we prayed for her 21-year-old daughter who had been sick and suffering from pain in her lower abdomen that had been diagnosed as a tumour. Immediately after the prayer, she testified the sharp pain in her lower abdomen had gone.
At a meeting in the home of Mr Kipkorir we ministered the gospel of salvation to his son, he repented and later was baptized in the river with four others.
In another meeting, we ministered salvation and repentance to a young boy who for many years had been involved in the act of thuggery, he repented of his sins and was baptized.
Many people including women, men and children surrendered their life to Jesus and acknowledged Him as their personal saviour. Many of these had professed previously to be Roman Catholics.
Gladly, God worked with us, and through us in a very special way. Many testimonies of salvation and healing were realized, and those released from demonic oppression gave powerful testimonies.
A NEW HOUSE CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED:
It was encouraging to see many people surrender their life to Christ, and want to become part of the Kenya House Church Movement to make more disciples of Christ and be obedient to Jesus’ commands..
Mr Marwa Mwita, our host, was appointed leader of this newly founded house church. And now Mr Marwa his household, together with other believing members are now forming up this new house church group- Masaai Mara house church.
Pastor Saoke and Julius conducted water baptism for Mrs Tabitha Njoki. Roseline Kosgei (red and yellow striped dress),
Pastor Saoke & Julius conducting water Baptism. And the newly converted disciples are queuing to undergo baptism.
Pastor Charles with the children.
Pastor Julius teaches the children about the commandment of God with a promise- honour your Father & mother and you shall live long in the land.
Pastor Charles prays healing for a sick woman suffering from a tumour ( Mrs Rhoda- in a white & black dotted skirt- kneeling). For years she has had pain in her lower abdomen, after hearing the gospel message on salvation and healing found in Jesus Christ, she surrendered her life, and repented of her sins. she was prayed for and testified the pain instantly disappeared.
Pastor Charles standing with the believers of the newly founded Masaai Mara house church
KHC AUGUST MISSION TRIP
We are working on our preparation for KHC’s upcoming discipleship trip to MBITA MARKET PLACE on August 3rd – 7th.
Praying and trusting God to help provide for the trip. Many thanks for your support. Charles Otieno Owino.
I have been supporting the Kenya House Church Movement (KHC) for almost four years now. KHC serves the rural communities of Kenya and northern Tanzania. As my followers know, I have visited Kenya and spent three days with 21 KHC leaders during a three-day training meeting. As can be seen from the above pictures the living conditions are minimal and the need for funds particularly to fund the monthly mission trips is significant. I would like to do more for KHC and if you would like to join me with a monthly donation of even $10.00 it would be a blessing. You can do it by clicking on the Donations icon on my Home Page or you can send funds directly to Pastor Charles as I do by Western Union to Pastor Charles Otieno Owino Isbana Rd, Migori Kenya. If you decide to send funds directly I would appreciate you letting me know at ron@bakb.com.au so that I know what is else needed.
St Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square in Chicago recently had a “Drag Queen Prayer Hour,” where a newly ordained pastor in a dress and wig led a service for children. The pastor, Aaron Musser, said: “Today, we consider what it might be like to have a dress for the kind of joy awaiting us on the other side of Advent. I have an awesome story to share with you today,” Musser told the children, flipping his long blonde hair off his shoulders. He asked the children if they’d ever seen a drag queen before, and they had not. He offered surprise at this fact.
Drag Queen Prayer Hour makes a mockery of the church
‘I am also a boy most of the time when I’m here,’ he told them, ‘but today,’ he said, flipping his hair back and forth, ‘I’m a girl.’ After reading, he led a prayer.”
Ruth Institute President Dr Jennifer Roback Morse, PhD, commented, “This is grooming.”
“So, I’ll say something. This is wrong. If a man needs to put on a dress in order to be joyful, he is not well.”
“Anyone leading a prayer service should not be calling attention to himself. He should be calling attention to God. This man in a dress, in front of an altar, talking to small children about his feelings and how beautiful he is, is in every way, calling attention to himself. He is diverting attention from God and God’s truth.”
“Clearly, Aaron Musser rejects God and God’s creation, in favour of himself and his self-creation. This group of people that calls themselves a Christian congregation, in a building they call a church, has made a mockery of God, His church and His people.”
Morse added: “Some who hear of this travesty might say, ‘Oh, how cute.’ The proper response should be: ‘Oh, how sad. Oh, how sick. Oh, how blasphemous.’”
I believe this is further proof that we are in the Biblical prophesied end times that Jesus spoke of before He returns to put things right.
“And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved..“Matthew 24:10-13
Before Jesus returns it is important to know God pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant world with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. Jesus tells us that before His return the world will be like it was as in the days God poured out His wrath on the earth the first-time with Noah’s Flood, lawlessness will abound.
The apostasy that is occurring particularly in the institutionalised church that Jesus spoke of is very evident in the church as this story indicates. Time is short.
This post is taken from a great article by Shane Idleman: The great shrinking church in America.
It’s clear that many churches have closed or have considerably shrunk in size since COVID-19. Reasons range from “church-goers are still scared to return,” to “they prefer watching live feeds.” But why have bold churches experienced tremendous growth? This issue is much deeper — it’s crystal clear that people are hungry for the truth.
As a church in California located in Los Angeles County, I understand the enormous challenges of pastoring in these dire times. But, if the truth is told, the COVID crisis simply revealed the foundation of many churches, as well as the heart of many pastors. But thank God, there is hope!
Pastors, I’m writing this to you to encourage you to be bold as you lead your congregation through these difficult and challenging times. But this boldness won’t come naturally, it will come supernaturally. It will have a cost:
“Life-giving preaching costs the preacher much — death to self, crucifixion to the world, and the travail of his own soul. Crucified preaching only can give life. Crucified preaching can come only from a crucified man” (E.M. Bounds).
The fire of the Spirit is contagious
On October 25, 2021, we began having church every night at 6 pm for two straight weeks. At times, the atmosphere was overwhelming — a full altar, dozens of baptisms, the demonic realm being crushed and countless lives changed, both in person and through Livestream. As the old-timers used to say, “God heard our cries and showed up!” The key verse for us was Isaiah 64:1, “Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence.” (You can view the services here.)
Speaking boldly is no longer optional, it’s essential. That’s the missing ingredient today. God is no respecter of persons, status, or achievement, but He is a respecter of principles (Acts 10:34). If you seek Him with all your heart you will find Him. Then you will be better equipped to lead your congregation to the Fountain of Living Water once you yourself have drunk deeply. The fire of the Spirit is contagious.
This doesn’t mean that your church will grow; it could shrink, but it does mean that you’ll now have the power of the Spirit resting upon your life. Churches filled with the Spirit do the works of the Spirit. Jesus said that “whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12 NIV).
If your church doesn’t look like the New Testament church, are you sure that you’re truly “having church”?
Dead is for a graveyard, not a church
The Christian life is to be living and vibrant, not dry and dead. It begs the question: “Where are the rivers of living water that Jesus spoke about in John 7:38?” When it comes to experiencing a spiritual awakening (revival), it can’t be worked up, it must be brought down from heaven.
In Lev. 9:23-24, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and the fire came down and consumed the burnt offering. God brought down the fire, but the responsibility fell on the leaders to keep the fire burning. They were to remove the waste but not the fuel. The same holds true for you and me. We must remove the waste of pride and add the fuel of humility.
Ignite your church with prayer meetings and worship nights. Humble yourself and lead the way and find comfort on the altar as you cry out to God for boldness. The two-week event described above was over a decade in the making as we persisted in seeking the heart of God. He truly is a “rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). When God chooses to give us a measure of revival in our bondage, worship, humility, and obedience, He will keep the flame going.
The beauty of brokenness
The beauty of brokenness is that humility crushes pride and ushers in the presence of God. Moses spent years on the backside of the desert as God broke and prepared him. Joshua’s humility no doubt came from lingering in the presence of the Lord. Isaiah was completely broken when he cried, “Woe to me! … I am ruined! …. My eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5). Jeremiah collapsed and cried out for humility in the people, “My soul will weep in secret for your pride” (Jeremiah 13:17).
The Psalms are saturated with the brokenness of David, and Jesus’ disciples had to be crushed like olives so the anointing oil could flow. Paul had to be knocked to the ground and his eyes blinded by the glory of God before true humility became a mark of his ministry.
Do you sound like a voice “crying in the wilderness” because you’ve been touched by God, or a voice whining in the wilderness because you’re dying spiritually? You can change that today.
We provide the sacrifice, He provides the fire
When you lose intimacy with God, you lose boldness and the Spirit’s fire. Return to Him, and He will return to you (Zechariah 1:3). The strength of your church is in its purity and spiritual power, not in its numbers. God doesn’t need a majority — He is the Majority. We are not CEOs running a business, we are watchmen warning a nation. Prayer can no longer be a footnote at the end of a sermon; instead, prayer and worship must guide the church in these critical times.
How can you receive a measure of revival in these dire times if there is no desperation? God can’t pour into your heart if it’s already full of self: Self-willed. Self-sufficient. Self-made. Self must die in you before God can really live within you.
The greatest hindrance to revival is within your own heart. It’s time to break up your fallow ground and seek the Lord while He still may be found (cf. Hosea 10:12). Again, although we can’t work revival up, God can bring it down from heaven if we prepare the soil of our hearts. We provide the sacrifice — He provides the fire.
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. Shane’s sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at shaneidleman.com or wcfav.org
My followers know that I believe the church in the end times will be the church as described in the Book of Acts. I promote the church model as modeled by Francis Chan which is House Churches, no paid pastors, and no buildings. Nevertheless, I thought the truths expressed by Pastor Shane Idelman are worth a post.
More than half of preachers in mainline Protestant churches are now “seriously considering” leaving full-time ministry a new study from Barna Group shows
.Joe Jensen, Barna’s vice president of church engagement, told The Christian Post that the growing number of pastors now looking to leave their full-time positions is cause for alarm. “This particular stat, this is the highest we’ve ever seen it,” Jensen said, pointing to the burnout he believes many pastors are experiencing in the wake of the pandemic.
“We’re concerned with how this is impacting the overall health of the Church. I really believe that at the heart of every healthy church is a healthy pastor. So this is definitely, almost four out of 10 pastors in America seriously considering quitting full-time ministry in the last year, a cause for concern.” Jensen said he believes the pandemic has “had a significant impact” on the well-being of pastors based on data they have gathered amid the pandemic.
Jensen said in 2020 when the pandemic shuttered many churches, many pastors “were just in survival mode, trying to figure out how to get online when they weren’t, and how to connect with their people even when they weren’t there to connect with them.” In 2021, as people began to emerge from lockdowns and churches have begun to open up, pastors are now struggling with the slow return of many of their congregants. “As we went to 2021, especially as churches started to come back in person, we were starting to pay attention to, how did it impact their overall well-being when their people weren’t coming back? Like, they probably were expecting them to. And so 2021 has definitely had all these set of challenges for pastors,” Jensen said.
Jesus is refining His church, the institutional model of paid pastors and religious tradition is failing. The early home church model as described in the Book of Acts was able to survive persecution just as the underground church did in China and Muslim countries today. This will be the model for the end times church as Christian persecution escalates as prophesied. The author of Crazy Love, Francis Chan who walked away from a church of 5000 describes his new church model.
“Everyone’s in these homes so that it cost nothing,” Chan described. “We have 30 pastors now that all do it for free. We send them out in twos. So we have 14/15 house churches. And we just plan on multiplying, doubling every year. In ten years we could have 1.2 million people. And free.”
According to the “We Are Church” website, Chan’s new church model is structured as follows:
1.) Each church meets in a home.
2.) Each church has two pastors, both of whom aren’t paid.
3.) Tithes and offerings are collected, but all are set aside to be used for missions locally and abroad.
In the Olivet Discourse Matthew 24:3-30, Jesus gave the disciples the signs of the end of the age prior to His coming to rapture His church and pour out His wrath with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements on unrepentant peoples still on earth.
Jesus also gave John in Revelation confirmation of these signs of the end of the age and confirmation of Daniel’s 70 weeks of years prophecy (Daniel 9:20-27) specifically the last week of years, the last seven years prior to Jesus return.
Revelation provides us with great detail on what God has ordained to happen in those last seven years to prepare and in fact refine His church during this time.
The letters to the seven churches describe the church in each of those last seven years before Jesus returns first to rapture the Saints and then return to earth with the Saints to conquer the Antichrist and destroy his army (Armageddon).
EPHESUS REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE LAST SEVEN YEARS
The church in Ephesus represents the church when the first seal is removed. The church has laboured, rejected evil, and has endured for Christ’s sake, but has lost its first love and zeal. The love of worshipers has waxed cold, and every worshiper is a lover of himself. God’s agenda was paramount in the past, but now it means nothing (Revelation 2:1-7).
SMYRNA REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN THE SECOND YEAR
The church in Smyrna, which can also be called the “suffering” or the persecuted church, represents the church in year two after the second seal is broken. The church is poor in the sight of men but rich in the sight of God. It is surprising to note that Jesus did not give them hope of deliverance from persecutions and attacks but encouraged them to stand firm because more attacks were imminent. He only promised them the crown of life when He returns (Revelation 2:8-11). The present-day persecuted churches should be strengthened by this message and should stop fearing those who can only kill the body but fear the one that can kill body and soul.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
PERGAMUM REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN THE THIRD YEAR
The church in Pergamum in the third year of the last seven years will be an underground church living at a time when it is forbidden to mention the name of Christ. They are still standing even when many of the worshipers have been killed for the sake of the Gospel. Nevertheless, Jesus found the church wanting because they allowed the doctrines of Balaam and Nicolaitan in their midst. Churches that release curses during prayers, practice idolatry and immorality, belong to this group. Christ is warning all churches that do these things to stop such activities or face the consequences (Revelation 2:12-17).
THYATIRA REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN THE FOURTH YEAR
The message to the church in Thyatira is a message to some prophetic churches that are doing well but have been infiltrated by unbelievers. The Jezebel spirit and soothsayers in their midst seduce worshipers to commit fornication and idolatry. Christ is warning all of the churches that belong to this class of their coming damnation if they do not repent (Revelation 2:18-29).
SARDIS REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN THE FIFTH YEAR
Jesus enjoined the church in Sardis, which is the umbrella of compromised and dead churches that are at the brink of annihilation, to be watchful and strong. It is important to note that in these churches there are a few faithful ones who have not defiled their garments. Jesus warned worshipers in such churches that He would remove their names from the Book of Life if they do not repent. What a tragedy it will be for Christians who will not endure to the end (Revelation 3:1-6).
PHILADELPHIA REPRESENTS THE CHURCH THAT IS RAPTURED
Christ commended the church in Philadelphia for their steadfastness in upholding the Word of God irrespective of their little strength. They have no financial or numerical strength, but they are faithful in all their endeavours. This is the church that will be raptured at the trumpet blast at the opening of the seventh seal. Jesus tells them “Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole worldto test those who live on the earth” Revelation 3:10.
LAODICEA REPRESENTS THE CHURCH LEFT BEHIND TO FACE THE WRATH OF GOD
The Laodicea church is the church that is left behind. Sadly, it is the denomination to which many churches aspire to belong to. Members of this group are popular and prosperous but are neither cold nor hot in their service to God. They have numerical strength, are self-sufficient, and boast about their wealth and fame. But Jesus judged these churches to be wretched, miserable, poor, and blind and enjoined them to come and get the true riches from Him. Even though they will experience the wrath of God, Jesus still calls them to repentance. They still have an opportunity to come into the Kingdom of God but they will experience the time God pours out His wrath upon the earth with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. I believe the period will be one year and ten days, the exact time God poured out His wrath upon the earth in Noah’s day.
Over the last few decades in the West, and particularly in America, we have seen the destruction of the institution of marriage, the removal of God’s Word in most areas of public life, particularly schools, and the embracing of Critical Race Theory. Moreover, most pulpits are silent about governmental abuse, the LGBTQ agenda, and the blatant murdering of millions of babies. This is an indictment against the nations and the church – our silence speaks volumes. Are God’s people watchmen or cowards?
The pulpit regulates the spiritual condition of God’s people which affects the nation. A lukewarm, sex-saturated culture (and church) simply reflects the lack of conviction in the pulpit as well as the pew.
Sadly, many pastors under the direction of their institutions are exchanging truth for passivity, boldness for cowardliness, and conviction for comfort…they are not aflame with righteousness. They are motivational speakers rather than preachers of righteousness and females taking male roles of leadership in the church.
Arlington Street Anglican Church
Westboro Baptist Church
Pastors (Christian leaders) must take responsibility for the spiritual health of today’s church, and the nation. We don’t need more marketing plans, demographic studies, or giving campaigns; we need churches as outlined in the Book of Acts filled with the Spirit of God. Disciples making more disciples of Christ.
The Institutional churches and the prosperity gospel have emasculated the church. It will be the church of Laodicea:
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” Revelation 3:15-18
This is the church that is “Left Behind” to experience the wrath of God with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. As I have explained previously, each of the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 represent the church in each of the seven years prior to Jesus return (70th week of the 70 Weeks Prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel – Daniel 9:24-27). The church of Laodicea is the last church that will live through the seventh year when the wrath of God is poured out on an unrepentant world. The previous church, the church of Philadelphia is the church that is raptured.
“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power,and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11
Which church will you belong to the church of Philadelphia or the church of Laodicea?
The Bible defines in the book of Acts, what the Christian life should be as a disciple of Jesus Christ — healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, casting out demons, and making disciples of all nations, baptising them to Jesus Christ, and teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded.
Sadly, this does not describe the Christian life for most of us in the West. The church needs to come back to the beginnings of the church that we read about in the Book of Acts. We have to return to God’s intention and see how the Holy Spirit moves as we step out in faith to share the Gospel and grow His Kingdom.
Torben Sondergaad of the Last reformation explains what he believes has occurred with the church in the West and what needs to happen now.
“It was never God’s intention for these revealed truths to result in independent church denominations that, after a while, quench the fire of revival. God did not intend to create separate churches and denominations with their own disconnected ‘little’ truths, while ignoring the other parts and, thus, hindering their members from gaining the whole truth. We believe that it is a reformation that will restore the Church back to what we read in Acts: a simple disciple-life led by the Holy Spirit, where the kingdom of God comes near in homes, on the streets, in shops — yes, all places where people are,” says Torben.
“He says the Church is not the building; the Church is you and me. “God does not live in a temple built of stone. He lives in us — Christians, His disciples. Jesus wants to be part of our everyday life in a practical, direct relationship with Him, without intermediaries.
“I have so many testimonies of people who have been sitting in a Church for 20 or 40 years and have never led anybody to Christ, never cast out demons, healed the sick or experienced the supernatural life, and don’t have testimonies like we read about in the book of Acts.
“The book of Acts should be the normal Christian life — being led by the Holy Spirit and used by God to build His Church, whereas most Christian churchgoers do not lead a life as described in the book of Acts,” says Torben.”
He contends that although Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, we should ask ourselves if the Holy Spirit is living through us in the same way He lived through the followers of Christ in the book of Acts.
LIVING ETERNAL NOW 