The 29th Chapter of Acts

I’ve been preaching through Acts recently. It was a hunger for more that sent me back to Acts. I want more for myself, more for my congregation, and more for the church in America. The process of searching, studying, scrutinizing, and then sharing has been rich and rewarding. There has been much repenting in the process.

Repent . . . I like the way Dallas Willard paraphrases the word: “Rethink your life.” (The Divine Conspiracy, 1998, p. 274.) Regular reflection on one’s life, under the influence of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, will likely bring us to new conclusions as to our policies, priorities, and practices.

I have been repenting for some time now. (See my previous blog dated January 20, 2009). I still have so much to learn . . . there are so many ways for me to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus! Personally and pastorally, I repent regularly!

Looking back on my ministry, I recognize a pattern of ambivalence. While I have never abandoned Pentecostal doctrine on an academic level, I have failed to believe what I believe. That is, I have not consistently and purposely practiced and applied Pentecostal truths in my approach to ministry in the local church. I have marginalized and minimized distinctly Pentecostal practices too often, usually in an effort to placate those who were somewhat uncomfortable with them. I have repented of my failure to value, embrace, and fully celebrate my Pentecostal heritage.

Thus, I am more convince that the only hope we have of seriously impacting our world is through a determination to understand and apply the principles, patterns, and practices found in the Gospels and Acts. The power and promise expressed by Jesus in Acts 1:8 must resonate in my heart and my words. I priority of prayer must be evident on our schedule. I must preach and promote the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. I must regularly pray for those who are not filled with the Spirit. I must allow room and time for the Spirit to speak when we gather. I must promote and encourage people to embrace and exercise gifts throughout the week.

Yesterday, I stumbled across a statement by Ken Harrison, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand. His words struck a responsive chord in my heart and prompted this blog. Read it . . .

“In today’s world we need to constantly realize the fact that only a transcendent power from heaven, operating within the body of believers called the local church, will ever fully answer to the kind of ministry needed in most of our cities and towns. The church today needs to see themselves as saved people who are being shaped by the word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live supernatural lives and thereby being Christ’s hands of love extended into the world in which they find themselves.”

I say, “Amen!”

Harrison said something else I like: “As we do this we will be people of influence who will write our own Acts 29 and our churches will be the Supernatural Church in this 21st Century.”

I want the congregation I serve to be a part of writing the 29th chapter of Acts!