March 13, 2014–Four Factors in Presenting Jesus

March 12, 2014 By

Day 3: Acts 2: 22-47

Ron and Nancy MillsToday’s passage tells us about the early church’s first effort at evangelism after the resurrection of Christ. They did not have any tracts, any 5 step plan to salvation, or the “Romans Road” to refer to. I’m not suggesting anything wrong with systems developed for sharing the gospel; I’m simply stating the fact that those tools did not exist when the church started.

There is something significant however that had occurred, as discussed in yesterday’s passage–the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the believers. This outpouring, or infilling as it is also described, triggered a change in the nature of the activity of the believers. From a place where they were passive and unnoticed in the Upper Room, they spilled out onto the streets in a quite an active and noticeable manner!

We see the Apostle Peter, the same one that just weeks before had denied Jesus, now publicly proclaiming to all that this Jesus they had crucified is truly Lord and Christ. It must have been quite a convincing sermon! Our passage describes the crowd as being pricked in their hearts. 3000 souls were baptized and became followers of Christ that day!

What was the trigger point that brought these into the church? Was it Peter’s oratory? Was it the phenomenon of people speaking in other languages they had not previously known? Was it the testimony of who Jesus was?

We should take note that Peter was quick to point out that the miracles, signs, and wonders in Jesus’ earthly ministry were evidence of God’s approval on Jesus’ life.  Now, the people present would have been familiar with the miraculous nature of the ministry of Jesus. It was the reason the multitudes followed Him. But now they have the opportunity to connect this new miracle before them today with those that Jesus had done previously.

Peter also used Scripture to validate the authenticity of his claims. He quoted a prophecy from Psalm 16, written by David, that referred to the resurrection, and pointed out how that applied to Jesus, and that the disciples and numerous followers were witnesses to the fact of Jesus’ resurrection.

So we have four factors combining to present a message that leads to conviction and repentance of the heart.  The early church, through evangelism, was birthed and established with these four active factors:

1)    Miracles, signs and wonders

2)    The Testimony of Jesus

3)    Scriptural validation of claims

4)    Personal testimony

May I suggest that in our efforts to reach people, the most effective way of doing so would be to follow the pattern that was established at the start. All of these steps are still available to us today, yes, every one of them! Although there is not space here to go into minute detail of each step, I assure you that the pattern for the early church is still the pattern for today. It worked then, it works today.

When we use another pattern, we discover that our success rate goes down!

My friend, if you want to have an impact on someone’s life spiritually, they will need to be convinced of the authenticity of what you have to offer.  Jesus Himself advised his disciples that He was going to send “another” like Him, to be their helper and comforter. This Holy Spirit is our source for success!

He empowers us to do the work of ministry, including miracles, signs, and wonders. He connects us to our spiritual elder brother Jesus and his testimony, provides enlightenment of the Holy Scriptures, and gives us a testimony of our own. All these were key elements in “the Lord adding to their number daily those who were being saved.”

May each of us today seek the power of Holy Spirit in our lives to live this way as a testimony to those around us.

(Ron and Nancy Mills are prophetic intercessors with a passion to see Christian believers rise to their calling and God-given destiny. Although they have ministered in many countries, their primary calling is to equip the saints in Canada through prayer, teaching, and prophetic ministry. Married 38 years, the Mills have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. They currently reside in St Thomas, Ontario.)

Filed Under: Ron Mills

March 12, 2014–A Sound from Heaven

March 12, 2014 By

Darren Woodvale

Day 2: Acts 2:1-21

This passage of scripture is probably one of the most exciting in the entire bible.  When I read it I am filled with awe and wonder at the mighty work of God.

This passage says that “a sound came out of heaven, like a mighty rushing wind that filled the entire house” (Acts 2:2).

Think about the construction of this thought for a moment.  It says–emphatically–that the sound originated out of heaven.  There was no question in their minds.  It was no man- made sound.  Those who encountered it understood undeniably that the source of this wild wind was heaven itself.

This is pretty normal when it comes to encounters with the Holy Spirit.  The one who encounters heaven is never the same.  Doubts have a way of disappearing.  Thoughts have a way of changing, especially those that are opposed to the ideas in the word of God.

This sound produces a radical shift in character and in beliefs.

“Peter stood up and raised his voice.” 

Only 50 days prior he was a coward when questioned about his relationship with Christ.  He denied his Lord three times.  His character encountered this sound from heaven and then he begins to proclaim the gospel with power.

Paul on the road to Damascus was a hard covetous sinner.  He was a murdering, legalistic Jew bent on destroying anything in the path of his holy orthodoxy, and yet when the sound came out of heaven, he was changed instantly and became a brand new man.  The rest of his life he recalled that encounter to congregations, to religious leaders and to kings.

We need to pray and ask God to open the floodgates of heaven and let people experience the sound of heaven all across the earth. In fact we need to advance as the army of God into the earth, trusting the sound will meet our feet on the path toward destiny.

This is the way I go out in ministry.  I know that wherever I go, the sounds of heaven will come with me.

We need to leap up like Peter and boldly proclaim the message of Christ.  The sound of heaven is the message of Christ and when we proclaim it without worrying about those who might oppose it, it has a way of producing that which it was sent to do.

There are times when I preach that I simply pray: “God you better come because what I just said needs backing up with power from on high.” That is when the sounds of heaven come and people are changed from the inside out.

It is not about me, but it is about the sound that God wants to make in the earth.  When we encounter it, it transforms us and we are never the same.  We couldn’t even be the same if we tried.

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning