Why The Church Has No Power - Part I
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." I
Corinthians 2:4-5
This article shows some of the reasons why the church has no power. In
this article it is assumed that you are saved. In II Timothy 3:1, 5 It
says "1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. .
. . 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away."
1. Many Churches Have Rejected The Baptism In The Holy Ghost
If the church does not have the baptism in the Holy Ghost, it will never
have any power. In Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said "I indeed baptize
you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier
than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the
Holy Ghost, and with fire:" We can see from the scriptures how Jesus
Christ, the apostles and the new believers all received the baptism in the
Holy Ghost.
a) Jesus Christ Was Baptized In The Holy Ghost
We see Jesus Christ being baptized in the Holy Ghost after John the
Baptist baptized him in water and the Spirit of God descended on him like
a dove. In Matthew 3:15 -16 it says "15 And Jesus answering said unto him,
Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all
righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized,
went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened
unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and
lighting upon him:". Also, in Acts 10:38 it says "How God anointed Jesus
of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
This verse is a confirmation of Jesus Christ being baptized in the Holy
Ghost.
b) The Apostles Were Baptized In The Holy Ghost
After Jesus Christ was risen from the dead, he told his disciples to wait
to be baptized in the Holy Ghost. In Luke 24:49 Jesus said "And, behold, I
send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Also, in Acts
1:3-5,8 it says "3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion
by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of
the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled
together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from
Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye
have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.....8 But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
In Acts 2:1-4 the disciples received the baptism in the Holy Ghost. In
Acts 2:1-4 it says "1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound
from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where
they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as
of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance."
In future posts I will share more about this topic.
