Where Is The Power of Acts Today?
 

There are many individuals and organizations today who put together venues advertising displays of the same "Power!!" shown in the Book of Acts, but it never happens. They just talk about such "Power!!", but cannot demonstrate it.

If such people call themselves "apostles," or "apostolic," are they accurately advertising the true Power of God, or are they falsely advertising the Power of God? Which is it?

Why cannot any of today's "apostles" do the true Works of the Holy Spirit as done in the Book of Acts?

Shelli.

Since you asked.

I have personally witnessed miracles happen before my eye's. I have watched as people I knew personally were healed of many issues. I have watched as someone heard after being deaf most of their life. I have watched as the blind saw. I have watched a leg grow out. I have watched as a man that was crippled from a broken back not only took the brace off he was wearing, but picked up the preacher in his excitement and took off carrying him. I was there when the skin cancer that the doctors had already confimed fell off of my grandmothers arm into her hand, and no scar was left. I was there when my wife was healed of Epilepsy, after having attacks on a weekly basis. That was 20 years ago, and she has never had one since. I was present when a man in ICU whos body had completely shut down was prayed for. The next week he was in a private room. The 3rd week he was sent home.

What is sad to me is that you simply do not believe the Word of God because you have never seen it. It is only when faith is planted in hope that a garden will grow. It is not seen at first, but simply hoped for and expected. But in time that seed of faith WILL bare its fruit.

You said the magic word, "Believing". No belief. The word says that if you believe then you will be baptized in Jesus name and you will speak in other tongues, you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover, you can even drink poison and it will not harm you. Oh yeah, you can cast out demons.

Miracles are happening every day. Lives are changed. Bodies, minds, and spirits are healed. Some times this is spectacular. Other times it seems to happen quietly and over a period of time.

But, miracles are happening all around us and all the time.

IME it's because of the cost. Jesus didn't ask for what's left over, or whatever you have time to give. He asks for everything, all that we are. This seems to be quite difficult for those of us with so much. We are blessed in America, but it's a costly blessing IMO.

Where is the power of Acts today? It's active, living, breathing in those who are willing to give what God asks and accept what God offers.

It's been years, and years and years. But I have seen miracles. I have experienced the power of God as described in the book of Acts. I have had a faith that right now seems impossible to ever have again. The Apostles in Acts didn't *believe* something would happen when they spoke, they *KNEW* it would. There was no other alternative, it WAS because they SAID IT WAS. God hasn't changed.

My opinion is that a good number of those organizations may be operating under a false power. Flame to the left please..I need my right hand. If you seek power, you'll find it, but you won't find God. Satan has power, it's deceptive, and it's capable of doing enough to convince those who have never seen the power of God that it's God.

Why can't today's apostles do the works of the Spirit recorded in Acts? IMO and IME, because that power is from God and God alone. The cost is high, the rewards are higher. Because we don't see it often right now, the hunger and the desperate need for that isn't there for most. The cost seems too high.

And, thus completes this day's lessons from God (or not...?). If He'd said what He's said to me today any more clearly..I'd have a flashing neon sign above my head. lol

The supernatural power of God was visibly demonstrated through miracles, signs and wonders in the early church but the early church (including the time period recorded in Acts) also had the same problems we have today and not every prayer was answered nor were miracles present on every occasion.

Those early Christians had the same problems in the Church we do today and experienced great difficulty without divine intervention. Read the Scripture and you'll see this is true.

If we knew everything that happens supernaturally on a daily basis in the lives of believers today we'd know that the power of God is indeed still visibly demonstrated and that men and women are used to minister in the power of the Holy Ghost around the world.

From everything I have honestly read from you. It for sure is not in your church.

Nor is it in your measure of faith to see it in the year 2007 and beyond.

So if you have no faith why would anyone think you would believe anything that is shared with you.

Again I stress less emphasis on the signs and wonders you seem to be stuck on.

The true teaching of Jesus Christ the saviour was not about the demonstration of miracle's signs and wonders.

It was in the words, Thy faith hath made the whole.

"Thy sins are forgiven".

For even Lazarus that was raised from the dead, died again.

If a person is healed of blindness.... is it not for a while?

Since the blind man will still surely die?

Will not the sick that recover still die?

It is the soul Christ was most concerned with?

So Apostalic Pentecostal's preach more of the saving grace and the plan of salvation.

The idea that one is not eternally saved upon conversion.

One call fall away and still lose their soul.

The Apostalic Pentecostal teachings are not only signs and wonders as you suppose.

The saving of the soul is the ultimate goal not shadow's passing by healing folks.

The first thing you need to gather up is a measure of faith!

Nathan Eckstadt

Shalom Shalom


Miracles happen when GOD is ready and does the work at his WILL through and by them that are Influenced under him.They are not for SHOW but for edification and or to Punish.In other words they are given explicitly for the right purpose,right time and what ever else is according to GODS will.


Asternship

Some of God's miracles were done for show: the plagues of Egypt.

In the NT, some miracles were done to spread fear: Ananias and Sapphira. OK, maybe that wasn't the reason for their killings, but it was the result.

sister every time someone receives the Holy Ghost you are seeing the power of the book of Acts.I was in a service in a little country place Sunday night with friends about an hour and a half from where I live and that same awesome power of God was manifesting all over the place in that little church.
It may have only had twenty five to thirty saints but it was rocking under the power of the Holy Ghost.The church I attend is over 850 and the power of God is manifested mightily.Awesome miricles take place.
Could it be you need personal revival?

I posted a question along this line on Godplace. I hope mentioning other forums here is ok
but here is what I posted there and it comes from me talking to some from the church of Christ, that believe the gifts have ceased

I know a bit of this has already been answered just thought I would get some input

Thanks

Tricia

If you study carefully the miracles of Jesus Christ you see that they were done to prove the Kingdom of God had come and to manifest the mercy and compassion of God. I disagree with those who say that Jesus was mostly interested in the soul of man.

He is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. God still works miracles and still has POWER following those that are willing to submit and obey Him.

The bible also says there will be a "falling away". So the question could only pertain your area or church. But I got these from a friend who went on a missionary trip to Pakistan.

roughly 4000 repented...
roughly 2000 Got the holy Ghost as well...
The pastors where planning to baptise all week after the revival...


http://am.upci.org/forum/data/Steadf...88_worship.jpg

There were increadible miracles of healing as well... http://am.upci.org/forum/images/biggrin.gif

Here is a picture of the choir!

They blew the place away!

http://am.upci.org/forum/data/Steadf...5248_chior.jpg


This woman was barren for 8 years...
That is until last year when Bro. Arcovio
Prayed with her about this...
Guess what?
She named her baby "Johnny Arcovio"...http://am.upci.org/forum/images/blink.gif
he he he!

http://am.upci.org/forum/data/Steadf...0no%20more.jpg

Chior worshipping!

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This isn't Africa or South America, this is Pakistan!!! In the heart of Islam !!

What an awesome God we serve!!!!!!!!!!:bliss

:blissALL GLORY BE TO JESUS NAME
:clap:yahoo:woohoo:happydance:party:choir:bdaypart y:stars:spirit WORSHIP AND BE MARRY IN LORD OUR GOD










:wub SORRY, GOT A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY!!

Is it not a miracle that medical technology is so far advanced today?

wwwwooooooooo....That could be a thread all on its own


where would the line be drawn,? Cloning is a medical advance, so is abortion.

Yep I would say you need to start a new thread with that one.

thats true scotty...BTW love your avatar........as far as abortion, I don't think you could call that an advancement.

Are "true" miracles a little less today because God has allowed man the wisdom to improve/save lives?

If what you are asking is "has man fallen away from faith (the power behind miricles) due to science offering "other" reasons behind our faith"?
Then the answer is yes.

Living for God is a chose, God gives us the freedom to choose from the beginning. We were created to worship God, so why bother putting the Tree of Life in the garden? If He didn't man would have never sinned. But He gave man a choice. So yes , God is allowing man to "do it himself" and as history shows man can not, in the end He will return and be King and Ruler thus showing us all how it could have been , should have been and will be.

But never lose faith, true miracles are still working , He said in the last days there will be a revival in the world. But He also says there will be a falling away of the faith. Unfortunatly our country is falling away, just read the news, but in other countrys as I have shown above, where they have never had "advancments" or little of anything to have faith in God's revival is very much alive!!!! Here is a good example, I got to church the other night and locked my keys in the car, I went on in and prayed God to take care of it. After church my daughter 14 asked me what I was going to do , I told her. Her response was "So you think just like that it will magically unlock?" See what I mean, no faith or belief in God just because they can't see it. BTW (the car was unlocked)!!! She said I must not have pulled the handle hard enough before.

God forgive them for they simply no not.

I think Shelli brings up a worthy point.

Some miracles do happen, but not to the level that we'd like, or that I believe God would like. When Jesus walked the earth, people knew they could bring the blind, deaf, and lame, and they would be healed. Likewise with Paul and the other apostles in the book of Acts.

Can you think of a church where you know you could bring the blind and deaf next Sunday morning and they would (not "might") get healed? I sure can't.

I think sometimes we come up with all kinds of rationales ("salvation itself is a miracle", "we don't follow signs, signs follow us", etc) to rationalize away the very obvious fact that the miracle power of God is not moving in our churches the way it could or should... And most of the modern day workings of miracles we hear of seem to be on the foreign missions field, not here in the US.

I don't say it to be negative, but to express the fact that I think God has a lot more in store for us than we actually see happening, not only in terms of not miracles, but spiritual gifts in general. I strongly believe God is looking to change that, and that we'll see a lot more of the demonstration of the power of God, before Jesus comes.

Where is the power of Acts today?

The power shows up wherever the Gospel is preached. Rom 1:16

Notice the beautiful matching shawlish headcoverings the women wear?
AWESOME! ;)
I'd love to have been there.

What's sad is that, in most areas of Pakistan, it's law that women wear headcoverings at all times in public or be put to death.

Those pics are beautiful though, I agree.

The power of Acts is still available. This is what I believe.

We do not have the walk as the Apostles did, because of the fact they had physically been with Jesus. Paul experienced Christ on the road to Emmaeus. They had seen what Jesus did, and they preformed what Christ did in front of them. They had heard His voice and knew His power firsthand.

If we want that power, and that demonstration, then we must be willing to seek after the Lord until He becomes as real to us as He was to the Apostles. I believe there is a place one can get to have that experience in Christ. It is available, but we must kill our desires and desire only Him.

I believe it's because we are weighed down. We are essentially wage slaves on Pharaoh's corporate plantation. And our churches are bogged down in ever increasing debt with mortgages, utilities, building programs, overly expensive non-biblical ministries, growing salaried staffers, etc. In the book of Acts church was simply a gathering of Christian families in homes. It was there that they broke bread and experienced Christian teaching and fellowship. Elders weren't "CEOs" or administrators. They were spiritual leaders who lead their family and extended their wisdom and knowledge to other families in the congregations. The church in Acts traveled light on "stuff" and "heavily" in the anointing. They put a higher premium on personal spiritual ministries, spiritual maturity, and preaching the gospel than attending "functions".

They were real...they practiced true Christianity. Not the fabricated "churchianity" so many of us have adopted here in the United States of America. Due to the shallow brand of Christianity we have here in the United States our spiritual immaturity quenches the anointing, power, and sanctification the early church had.

In our time some are being healed, some miracles are happening, some are raised from the dead, and many are being saved (the greatest of all miracles). Most of these works are done among the needy, not for show, and so most of these works are not advertised, are not on the internet, and are not on TV.

God's promise was unto all, even to you, if you trust His word of promise.

Old Testament Prophetic Promise

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Joel 2:28-32 (KJV)

Jesus's Promise

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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
Acts 1:6-8 (KJV)

Peter declares this that which Joel spoke of

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:16-21 (KJV)

Peter said that the promise comes to us

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2:39 (KJV)

I think most people are just not in the right place to see the power of God.I've seen alot.

The power of Acts today is the same place it has always been.....in the hearts of man.

Much of it is mired in the mud of unbelief. Because many are more concerned about the first step of salvation and the not the entire journey...

Apostolic's need to answer why were miracles performed in the first place.

Then why if at all do some what to see them in "their" ministry today...

I think many want the stamp of God's approval on their call and ministry.

These pictures can be duplicated by other denominations in the same cities and countries. These outporings are simply not limited to Apolstolic's or one group...

Though it is awesome to see that God is moving...

I worked for a Pakastani man here and his wife and his brother's wife wear the head covering. They wear the traditional dress even here. To them it is an honor. It is totally different than being forced to wear something by law.