Friday, June 20, 2008

What happened to the anointing in Acts?

Why does the modern church fail to operate in the anointing as in the book of Acts?

Is it because in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and deny the power of God?

2 Timothy 3:1-9(NKJ) – 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Is it because we don't truly know Jesus or spend time with Him?

Acts 4:13(NKJ) – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Psalm 103:7(NKJ) – “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” Israel witnessed His acts & works and continued to rebel against Him but Moses knew Him and never left Him.

Is it because we don't truly believe with our hearts?

Mark 16:17-18 (NKJ) - "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; theywill take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Is it because we don't need the power of God?

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJ) - "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Mark 16:20 (NKJ) - "And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."

Is it because it was only for the early church?

Joel 2:28 (NKJ) - "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days."

Is it because we have not stirred up the gift we were given?

2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJ) - Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Is it because we didn't use well what we were given?

Matthew 25:29-30 (NLT) - “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”

Is it because of fear?

2 Timothy 7 (NKJ) - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”So why does the church fail to operate in the anointing we see in Acts, especially after Jesus said in the Book of John that we would do greater works because is going to the Father?

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