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A Transforming Church
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Peter Wagner, in is excellent commentary on the book of Acts entitled,
‘The Acts of the Holy Spirit.’ The third chapter of Acts speaks powerfully of a spiritually
energised Church to transform lives, spiritually, socially and physically.
A man who was disabled from birth was strategically positioned economically at the beautiful
gate of the temple, where worshippers would give him help by way of alms.
Emphasis of business depended on identifying those who would be helpful to him.
The scripture outlined that he identified Peter and John with prospect of receiving alms.
Peter and John discerned his need beyond the immediate economic circumstances;
they asked him to look at them, to receive that which flowed from the authority they posses.
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Peter and John were symbolic of the transformed church.
The assertive authority they exerted reflected the divine transformation that
had taken place since the day of Pentecost was prophetically established.
Jesus promised that the function of the Holy Spirit would be with us until
the end of the world. Therefore, there must be a deep thirst within the ranks
of the Church of God of Prophecy to posses an identity aligned with the Holy Spirit
that is promised by Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives our church purpose and identity and
power to make a difference in our world and will effect change in society.
As much as Peter and John held the hands of the lame man and helped him to stand, the
Church must grasp the issue of a broken and fallen world.
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A purpose driven church must be engaged for transformation in
our society. We must have the confidence to believe that God has entrusted power in us to make a difference.
We must seek to raise our self-esteem and be focused in our purpose of the great commission.
Jesus was highly focused as he declared. ‘the spirit o the Lord is upon me because He has
anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal the broken hearted to
preach deliverance to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those
who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.’ (St Luke 4:18, 19)
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As we seek a new anointing to reach new territory and regions,
the empowering and guiding of the Holy Spirit must be upper most in our minds.
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Bishop Wilton R. Powell
OBE
National Overseer |
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