The book of Acts provides us a picture of the early church. The early church had the following among its characteristics:
-It was a saving church: the word of God was preached, and thousands came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
-It was a sending church: the Spirit of God spoke, and men left their regions of origin to engage in missions work, in obedience to the Lord.
-It was a signs church: God confirmed His word and His presence through signs, wonders, and miracles.
-It was a suffering church: men and women experienced persecutions and executions because of their unwavering loyalty to the Lord Jesus. They were ready to suffer and die for the sake of Christ.
Let's close this week with two appeals: one from Sunday, and one from Wednesday.
First, is anyone thirsty? On Sunday Pastor Sam reminded us of the passage in John chapter 7, where Jesus presents Himself as the living water and speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit as One who fills us to overflowing with the love and the power of God. (This is the same passage that inspired the title of my blog site.)
Second, is anyone hearing? During Wednesday evening's service I had the privilege of hearing a prophetic prayer in our small group concerning the dearth of African-American and Caribbean-American missionaries: Surely there must be one that God can send to fulfill Bronx Bethany's mission statement, "a redemptive influence in the Bronx and in the world to the glory of God".
Yes. I believe God, and I believe His prophets whom He has sent. "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper" (see Second Chronicles 20:20).
Yes, God. Out of 700 in Bronx Bethany, surely You can find one.
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