BE STEADFAST

One that is asleep is not active in his or her duty. Also, one that is awake is alive in his duty. The church is asleep.  During the days of the early church, a sick person will not walk into the church sick and leave sick for the hospital. There has to be a healing touch. Today, the church often fails to deliver in areas of duty. Jesus said in Mark 16: 17, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will 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.”  In most cases, signs are no longer following believers as supposed to. It is the believers that are following the signs. As a temple (church) of God, a believer, how do you respond to Mark 16:17?

Are you aware of the practices of the early church? The practices have to be right before you get the right results. In most churches where the practices are not right, the results are not right. The early church was doing it right and they were getting the right result. However, we are the church because the bible states it, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Do you, as a temple of God desire the right result in your walk with God?
The practices which gave results were identified “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Two practices that worked perfection for the early church were: Steadfast continuation of the apostles’ doctrine; steadfast continuation of the apostles’ fellowship.

The early church steadfastly continued the daily teaching about God and how to live for God. Teaching about God was on a consistent basis. In the early church, breaking of bread was also done with consistency at every fellowship gathering. In most of today’s church, there are defined times in keeping some of the doctrines. The doctrines today are mixed up or substituted with the doctrine of this world.

Every change in what the word has said is the result of lack of power in the changed word. To be able to maintain the power of the word of God, the word should never be substituted. Imagine a glass of Coca-Cola which is mixed with two glasses of water. Definitely the color might not be fully changed but the taste shall never be the same. The same case applies to mixing the word of God when believers claim it loudly with no power manifestation because it has been mixed; diluted and not powerful to deliver true taste (result).

Fellowship
The word of God makes us realize that, the early church steadfastly continued daily with one accord sharing with gladness. Family operates in union, they were not in divisions. They were sharing what they have and not showing off what they have. There was commitment not convenience in serving God. Divisions were not documented for the early church as it is today. The early church fellowship demonstrated and expressed like-mindedness, it is evident that the early church communicated acceptance among believers. It is recorded that steadfast fellowship of the early church enabled growth and sharing in good times or tough times. Above all, the true meaning of fellowship was fully demonstrated unlike the fellowship today where inconsistency and lack of steadfast commitment is foreign.

In any fellowship where sound doctrine and steadfast fellowship can be identified, the power of prayer and its effectiveness will not be found missing. Sound doctrine and fellowship flows together with the power of prayer. It is always evident and clear because miracles are always having its way. In the days of early church, the fear of God was in place and centered upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles (Acts 2:43). Where there is fear of God, miracles and wonders will never cease. As a temple of God, do you fear Him enough? Is any sign following you or you are following the signs? Steadfastness and faith cannot be separated. Every walk in the word of faith demands steadfastness. To be steadfast in line of the word is a commitment which builds up to reasonable sacrifice. Be awake; be alive and fear God steadfastly.