The Empowered Church

“Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:3-4, NKJV)

The Church in the Book of Acts is the earliest stage recording of the church era. The power of God through the working of the Holy Spirit manifested in the midst of the assembly of the believers, and the Church continued to grow; the number of believers significantly increased, and God’s message continued to spread (v7).

Notice these aspects behind Church growth:

(1) The Holy Spirit is in control, as evidenced by the manifestation of His power (miracles, signs, and wonders).

(2) The commitment and willingness of the believers to serve as vessels for God’s work.

(3) UNITY – The believers ensures that all church ministry are attended, with the priority set in preaching the gospel – they complete each other instead of competing with each other.

Everyone takes the call and their role seriously – imagine choosing a person to tend the table? The qualifications they look for are men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom! This tells us that every minister must count worthy of God’s calling and must walk in the integrity of ones’ heart.

Do you want to witness the power of God manifest – miracle, signs, and wonders? Do you want to impact the community around you and see people getting saved? Brothers and sisters, we must go back to the fundamentals of the Church and how the Church must operate.

Let us consider and take this seriously. The Church – the congregation of the believers, must acknowledge the power behind this work – who is none other than the Holy Spirit! Let us submit to His authority and yield to His power.

To expect growth and increase – it must start with you and me!

We do not come to the assembly to receive the Holy Spirit because the Scripture says we already have received Him- Have you? (John 14:16-17)    The pattern of the Holy Spirit’s presence – as the Scripture says, the Holy Spirit dwells in each of the believers (1 Corinthians 3:16). Just imagine the magnified presence and power when the believers congregate. When we bring the fruits and gifts as vessels and in one accord allow it to manifest – that would be an extraordinary moment to experience – the power of assembling as the Church of Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Church arm yourself with this truth. Begin to position yourself – believe it! Evoke the presence of the Holy Spirit in every Church gathering! Be excited and expectant of the Holy Spirit’s power!  

– Contributed by Ptr Erline Crisostomo