Forty days after Jesus Christ was resurrected, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:2-4.
It was the power of the Holy Spirit that enabled these humble, uneducated men to carry out the mission of preaching the gospel to the known world as Christ had instructed (Mathew 28:19-20). By this same power, the apostle Paul was converted from being a persecutor of the early Christians into their strongest advocate. Not through his own power but through the power bestowed upon him through Christ. “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
During the next century, the Church became derailed and began relying upon human wisdom creating doctrine and dogma that deviated from scripture over the next 1500 years, until Martin Luther posted his 95 theses and sparked the reformation. Today Christianity is a soupy mess consisting of hundreds of denominations that often contradict each other and many that contradict the word of God. In my book, Seeking Truth, I examine this tension between religious pragmatism and having a fellowship of faith with Jesus. From the Catholic Catechism to the prosperity gospel and progressive Christianity, men have proceeded without the Holy Spirit and have wandered far off the narrow path that Jesus spoke of in Mathew 7:13-14. Through ritual rather than relationship, intimate interactions between believers and God gave way to ceremony and liturgical lethargy.
As evangelists today focus on church growth and strategize how to build mega churches, the gospel of Christ has become a platform that is too often buried beneath charismatic oration and musical performances designed for their entertainment value. Carnal church leaders have monetized the religion of Christianity and have endeavored to reach the masses, however, many have forgotten the authority of Christ! Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Mathew 28:18.
Forget about culture, forget about gender equality, forget about tolerance and inclusivity. The Christian Church must above all things be biblical. Jesus said, “Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Mathew 10:34. He went on to say that to follow him would break apart families and that anyone who does not take up their cross and follow him was not worthy of him. The message of the gospel is a message of repentance. The apostle John wrote, “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” 1 John 3:6. The gospel demands that we change!
One day we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and our lives will be completely examined and we will give an account. The gravity of this truth should give everyone pause to contemplate the authority we are under in the person of Jesus Christ. “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” Luke 8:17.
Each and every one of us has done things we are not proud of. Things that would embarrass us and for which our regret cannot even begin to hide our shame. Yet many churches today downplay the holiness of God and attempt to make Christ more like us rather than imitating Jesus, the only man who was without sin. In his first letter to Timothy Paul said, “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:14-15. Paul then goes on to write about being holy as God is holy.
How can today’s church clergy and leaders consider themselves ministers of truth without hanging on every word of scripture? Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Mathew 24:35. Yet the message from many pulpits is nothing more than a watered down version of scripture that is bathed in social acceptance and political correctness. Fire and brimstone are not in vogue therefore the gospel has been compromised beyond recognition in many cases and in fact, is a fulfillment of prophecy given by Paul. He said, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3.
If the Church cannot lead its congregants by example, through the power of the Holy Spirit, it has lost its power to save. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ that today’s Church has any credibility, any integrity and any truth that it can cling to. Historically, the Christian church was a mess and it has no future unless it is committed to being the house of the living God. Fully embracing the one true, biblical Jesus and his gospel. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:8.
Mankind stands condemned without the blood of Christ Jesus. The Christian church stands condemned without Christ. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:18. The Christian church is the bride of Christ. God help those who have turned the bride of Christ into a harlot, clothed in worldly values and carnal desires, ordaining gay ministers and accepting transgender ethics without repentance. We must stop trying to win a popularity contest and seek God with contrition. There is no Christianity without Christ!
Scripture calls us to repent and be saved! There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than for ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7). Today’s church is in danger of the fires of hell unless it sincerely and fully embraces the gospel. Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity has no power and is doomed because without Christ it is nothing more than a benign societal movement. Let me also point out that there are many, many excellent pastors and a multitude of sincere believers that make up the true body of Christ.
With Christ comes power. Power to change hearts and power to change minds and power to change lives. Power to save souls and power to pardon sin. For true believers, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.
