Acts 2:1-21 (NIV)
{2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
An ailment of the modern church is the difficulty of attracting and keeping new people.
YET...
Attending church is easier today that at any time in History. You won't be arrested for attending church. It won't hurt your career. Churches are more comfortable than ever before. Most of our buildings are air conditioned Pews are padded. Yet the percentage of people coming to church is declining.
The early church did not have these advantages. They had no: pews, buildings, seminaries, air conditioning, Cars to come in.
The early church DID have some qualities that made growth possible.
Can we ever get back to the place where God moves in our midst as in the first church.
I long for the day that we experience God in the way that He has intended. As we read Acts 2 we
can learn some things about the early church that may help us today. Study of the early church, so
we can learn and will improve our churches and our individual lives.
AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE GOD IS FREE TO MOVE!!
Look at verse 1: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
! God will be able to move when we are united! If you are causing division, STOP!!! Don't go around suggesting that there are things that pastor and the board should do. If you have a problem go to see your pastor. Don't go to others and stir the pot. Your pastor will be glad to listen and help bring clarity to the issue.
Another item is that there was TRUTH! Jesus has said "I am the truth ..."
Jesus told them to wait until they received power from on high. As we unify around the word of God, God will move. We need to base all we do on the truth in God's Word.
So much that has been blessed by Pentecostal churches has not been based on truth. Too much has been based on emotions rather than truth. What ever we do, do all in the light of truth. The early church was basing all on the truth of Scripture.
As we hear truth, God's word, OBEY it. The biggest problem we all have is not obeying what we
know to do. When God says, TARRY, then we better tarry. When God says, GO, then we need to
go.
Another trait...
DOORS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE! We have no business limiting our message. Everyone
is in need of salvation. Any kind of discrimination is wrong!
Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. {18} Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,"
The early church dealt with the division between the Jews and the Gentiles. There was a number of dispute over that issue. Paul put that issue to rest in a number of places in his writings. Peter here says that "God will pour out his spirit on all flesh" When Peter stood up and preached on the day of Pentecost, he spoke to a diverse crowd. He invited everyone to repent and come to God!!
The Church has no business excluding anyone. God's salvation is for everyone! The Holy Spirit is for everyone!
Have you heard John 3:16? (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Some local churches have been too exclusive for God to move! If we want God to move in our church and lives, we must open our doors to everyone. I like the fact that the Scripture that Peter quoted included both "sons and daughters", the young and the old! There is room for everybody in the church.
Do you want to see God move? Open your arms and hearts to all of God's creation.
PROCLAIMS THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION!
Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Peter finished his message by telling those who could hear, the repent and be baptized. I am not just talking about the public worship services. I am taking about each of us. When we leave our time together, we should go into the world proclaiming the Good News. If people don't get saved, it is not only the fault of the preacher. Every individual has a mandate to go and preach.
Mark 16:15 (NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
The early church was more that a social gathering. They were God's people committed to doing God's work. They changed the world simply because they were: United, Opened their doors to all, Preached the Gospel wherever they went
Let's be a Pentecostal church! I'm not talking about our doctrine! I'm talking about OUR life style. Rather than making a new or expanded set of rules, let's improve our relationship with God. When we are properly related to Him, we will be: UNITED, OPEN TO ALL, SHARING THE GOOD NEWS.
If you want a Pentecostal church, be a Pentecostal believer. You are the church!!
ARE YOU PENTECOSTAL?