Are we really New Testament Church???

[A.W. Bowman]

Thank you jaamez - Well stated.

Jim (Sam) has noted on one of his threads here that there is a vast difference between receiving the Holy Ghost and walking in the power of that Spirit. (See Galatians 5:25 and John 20:21-24)

In this day and age of super ministers grabbing the spotlight and siting on thrones elevated on stages for all to marvel at, the true ministers are often those who do not seek the approval of men. We do not see healing such as performed at the Gate Beautiful of the Temple simply because very few believers are willing to risk the possibility of nothing happing! "What if nothing happens? I'll look like a fool!"

There are two sins at play here. The first is unbelief and the second one is pride.

Even today there are people (believers and non-believers alike) being raised from the dead, cancers being healed and limbs bing straightened. However, most of these events take place in "third-world" countries, not in our rational, pragmatic, and unbelieving Christian communities in the western world. We have preachers, teachers, and other such ministers who fail to minister to the body of Christ, rather many desire to be ministered unto. When such leaders require that all manifestations of the Spirit be approved and controlled by them - the Spirit is quenched, the gathered body is dead and must wait upon the "approved demonstration" of God's Spirit by the authorized few. What we witness in a stunted body, immature and dysfunctional.

What we are left with are those who seek only after signs and wonders (even in the Last Church of the Holy Feel Good) and those who have to have everything figured out, using all of their acquired rational abilities and talents in the insane attempt to understand and define God according to what it is we want Him to be (become a member of The Latter-day School of Christian Religious Philosophy and Cook Book of the Month Club).

We have outlived the days where "feeling the Holy Ghost" is the purpose of a service - that will no longer sustain us. Nor will trying to "get everything religiously right" (the correct reciting of religious mantras and incantations, performing impotent rituals and the like). It is time to combine (to add to) our living in the Spirit with our walk in the Spirit. It is time for all of us to grow up in the Spirit and mature in our spiritual essence.

For too long we have survived on platitudes instead of substance. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the Church of Jesus Christ is not under a notable attack here in the west (at least not yet), like it is in the rest of the world. We have not been tested - yet - our time is at hand. Looking for a great world-wide revival? Also look rather for the great falling away when the times of trials and testing come fully upon us.

Let us grow up. Let take responsibility for our own salvation - work out what needs to be worked out - even with fear and trembling. Being a disciple of any spiritual leader (preacher, teacher, minister, etc.) will not take the place of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. We all need to get that stright in our minds and hearts.