First Church

Have you ever done a real in depth study on the book of Acts? Or maybe just the early church? Or how about any part of the Bible in general?

You know, the first church, and of course I’m referring to the first church that was formed after Jesus ascended into heaven and after the Holy Ghost descended upon the 120 in the upper room:

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In the past, Acts used to be a book, admittedly, that I overlooked. However, some years back in prayer, I asked God a question.. Malachi 3:6a KJV says, “For I am the LORD, I change not;” and Hebrews 13:8 KJV says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Right? So why then are we not seeing an outpouring of His Spirit as we did in the days of the first church? Why aren’t we seeing the miracles that are spoken of in the days Jesus walked the earth as a man and even before and after?

The answer did not rest in whether or not Jesus remained the same, rather in us.

Today, even among Christian circles if one were to say they heard God speak to them, they may be considered unstable. “Hearing voices,” especially God’s voice can earn someone a mental health diagnosis and medication.

But, God does still speak to His people. Are we listening? He still gives dreams and visions. Are we paying attention? He is still healing the sick, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, raising the dead. Are we praying? Where is our mustard seed faith and no doubt?

I believe that to understand who God is, to hear His voice when He speaks, we must become acquainted with Him for ourselves. The only way to do this, to know Him is by seeking Him. We seek Him by reading His Word for understanding, praying for wisdom, praying and taking the time to listen as well.

God said that we will find Him when we seek for Him and search for Him with all of our hearts in Jeremiah 29:13.

It wasn’t God that changed at all. It was us. I don’t know about you, but I want that same kind of fire in my life. I want that same kind of relationship with God in my life. I don’t care what anyone says, I want to hear His voice, I want to experience Him daily.

Time is off the essence. If we truly believe that God is real and He’s coming back – if we truly believe that hell is real and we have family members, children, spouses, coworkers, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, people we interact with on a daily basis, who are headed for a sinners’ hell, who will endure the wrath of God… we have a duty and a responsibility to tell them about Jesus, to spread the gospel as did the first church.