Where is the power of Acts in today's church?

Where is the power of Acts in today's church?by Damon Stuart

I was very fortunate to be raised in a Christian home and church while growing up in the most blessed country in the world. I have seen many great moves of God and have encountered God's powerful presence, healing and anointing. I am privileged to serve Him through ministry, for which I am humbled and grateful for each day.

As I study the word of God and read about the Apostles in the book of Acts, my spirit rises up and I wonder, why Lord? Why do we not see the book of Acts alive here in America? We preach about it, we talk about it, but why is it not really happening in our everyday lives so we can change the environment around us?

God is definitely moving in greater measures this year as I have seen it in different parts of the country so far. We hear about all the great miracles and healings taking place in other countries, which is great ..but why is it happening more overseas and not as much here in America, especially in our churches on a regular basis?

I have been reflecting on the great moves of God starting with the Apostles and more recently the great healing evangelists that came to prominence during the late 1940's -50's and on like Oral Roberts, A.A. Allen, Jack Coe and many others.

What I have been sensing from God is that it was never supposed to end with the Apostles or with the great evangelists that God raised up over the years. It was never intended for just a select few in ministry. It was supposed to be continuous and expanding, so that an army of believers who are filled with faith and power would forever change the landscape of the nations.

Let us look at Stephen, from the book of Acts. Here is man who so little is written about until Acts chapters 6 & 7. To read these chapters, please click here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206%20;&version=50;


I love verse 8 in Chapter 6 which states: And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Here is guy who is not in the inner circle of God's chosen few. He was just a regular guy that believed Jesus was the Messiah and who was filled with the Holy Spirit.

I believe that there are some keys to operating in the power of God like Stephen or even like the great healing evangelists that are simple. Besides being born again, it says in verse 3 of chapter 6 that the Apostles said "seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

From this passage we see three factors operating here, regarding signs and wonders that must be a part of our daily lives which are:

1. Good reputation - which is character, the credit of honor and integrity.
2. Full of the Holy Spirit - This is a must. No other way around this one. (Book of Acts)
3. Wisdom - wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. (1828 Noah Webster's Dictionary)

Even in verse 10 of Chapter 6 it says; And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he (Stephen) spoke.

That's powerful. despite the opposition to the Truth of God; no man can resist the wisdom of God when it's in full operation. Isn't that what is taking place today in our culture and dare I even say most of our churches. The Truth of God has been watered down and/or replaced by doctrines of this world that may change the outward appearance, but there is no life, power or change on the inside.

In the book of Acts, the church model, there are no programs instituted by the Apostles to fill up time. They came together in one accord, they worshiped together and they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts 4: 31 says - And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

So back to my question at the beginning - "Where is the power of Acts in today's church?" The answer lies with you and with me. Let's face it, we want that, but how do we live it today? If you're like me, you don't want to miss what God has been longing to do in us, since the book of Acts took place. Because of His amazing love for us, He wants to release His power and authority through us so we can effectively reach a lost world.

A key passage in Acts that God continues to bring me to is found in Acts 2: 16-21:

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ' And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.'

As you read that passage I hope that it would become your prayer and hearts desire today. That you would become so stirred up for what God wants to do through you in these last days. The evil in this world is increasing at a faster rate then ever but God loves to show up through His people with power so that thousands will come to know Him as Savior and King. Isn't that what happened in Acts? If the book of Acts was the kindergarten class for the church, shouldn't we be at the collegiate level by now?

There is passage of scripture that backs all this up from John 14: 12-14 which Jesus says:
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

In closing, remember we serve the most loving, precious, wonderful and powerful God in the universe. He has made all things possible through His word, His son Jesus, and through the giving of His Holy Spirit. If we can believe, with the same faith that it took to be saved, what the word tells us in the book of Acts, think about what signs and wonders we all could operate in which would then turn the world and devil upside down. And just remember this, as the books of the New Testament each have some sort of closing, the book of Acts does not because it was supposed to be ongoing.


Blessings, faith and power to you in Jesus name,

Damon Stuartwww.damonstuart.com