BE

THE CHURCH (CAUTION: SIGNS WILL FOLLOW THOSE WHO BELIEVE) 

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Misconceptions About "The Church"

First of all, lets be clear: we are the church. The church is not four walls and a steeple. Being in a building does not mean that you are a Christian any more than being in a hospital means you are a doctor. There are doctors in hospitals (just as there are believers in churches), but you do not just become a doctor or a believer just by virtue of being in a building. Be conscious that you are the church as you move and walk through life. It is your example that people witness. Fellowship with likeminded believers is important, simply attending a church without internal or external change or application, is not. 

 

Early Church

Jesus comforts and instructs His disciples ahead of the imminent loss of his physical presence from them; saying it's better that He goes because He will send the comforter (the Holy Spirit (HS)) to them and that they should do the same and greater works He did because they will have the HS and He will now also be praying for us at the right hand side of the Father. Perfect! Jesus said "the works that I do you shall do and greater than this', this included miracles of healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons; things that Jesus had commanded His disciples to go and do when He first commissioned them to preach the Gospel. 'Greater Works' are done in the name and authority of Jesus Christ and by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is King and has given us charge to extend His Kingdom on His behalf.

 

Acts of the Apostles

Here are some of the feats of the early apostles:

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• 3,000 saved at once (Acts 2:41)

• Speaking gospel in multiple unlearned foreign languages (Acts 2:11)

• Prison doors opened for them by angels (Acts 5:19)

• Miraculously walked out of prison despite chains and guards (Peter, Acts 12)

• Speaking with wisdom and Spirit such that it could not be withstood (Acts 6,10)

• Raised the dead e.g. Dorcas (Acts 9:41); Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12)

• Recovered from near-death stoning (Paul)

• Speaking 'in tongues' (God's language) (Acts 19:12)

• Frequently interacted with angels (e.g. Acts 10:4)

• Accurately predicted a world famine (Acts 11:28) or other specific events (Agabus, Acts 21:11), (Paul, Acts 27:10)

• Viper wrapped around hand but suffered no harm (Paul, Acts 28:5)

• Iron gate opened for them 'of its own accord' (Acts 12:10" * a personal favourite!

• Translation? (Philip, Acts 8:39)

• Face like that of an angel (Stephen, Acts 6:15)

• Was murdered without complaint (Stephen)

• Shadows healed people (Acts 5:15)

• Accused of having 'turned the world upside down' (Acts 17:6)

• People healed and delivered, even fabrics that touched Paul's body healed and delivered people (Acts 19:12)

• Controversially following the words of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira both collapsed dead (Acts 5:5)

• Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind following the words of Paul (Acts 13:11)

• Communicated 'through the Spirit' (Acts 21:4)

 

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Modern Day Greater Works

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• I heard that John G Lake put his hand on a telegraph poll in South Africa and said anyone who touched it after he left would be healed. Hundreds were.

• I heard that Smith Wigglesworth punched people and tumors dropped out of their bodies.

• I've heard about starving Indian mothers who close their eyes and thank God for food for they family which then materializes on the table in front of them day after day.

• I've prayed for people who have metal rods in their back which have disappeared. I have declared specific times for a healing to occur and have unintentionally healed people with a touch not even knowing they were sick.

 

What is your story? This is a call for GREATER WORKS testimonies. What are you doing with the power and authority Jesus has given you? We are told to be HIS witnesses (Acts 1:8). Send us your testimonies.

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If we come to Him like they came to Him, if we hear what they heard, if we believe what they believed or better, if we call on Him like they called on Him, or recognize who we are and what we have, if we pray like they prayed or act as they acted but learn from their mistakes and benefit from their groundwork, we will see what they saw and do what they did, or better. Take the limits off and do mighty exploits for God.

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Be Kingdom minded. You are equipped.