We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. In Acts 4:32-33 says: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." Today, we focus on the phrase "them all." The early church had a consistency among its "members." Why was there a uniformity of experience then but not now? The reason is that the early church stressed repentance and following Jesus as the way of salvation as opposed to a "say this prayer" method. When you have seen yourself as lost and headed to hell and that realization strikes your heart, there will be a commitment to God that does not waiver. Yes, there will be times of testing and trial and you may sin; however, as you repent and follow Jesus there will be grace and favor on your life. We must not water down the message of salvation so as to create a church filled with pretenders. It is better to speak straight about God's plan of salvation and His requirements. Those to whom He is speaking to will come to Him in repentance and faith. We need not fear that we will turn some off because we speak the truth. God is the author of salvation and not us.
Jesus said in Luke 14:28: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" Adam Clarke said of this verse: "This parable represents the absurdity of those who undertook to be disciples of Christ, without considering what difficulties they were to meet with, and what strength they had to enable them to go through with the undertaking. He that will be a true disciple of Jesus Christ shall require no less than the mighty power of God to support him; as both hell and earth will unite to destroy him." The early church counted the cost and that is why grace was upon them all.
Today, there is such a move to "dumb down" the gospel so as not to offend those we present it to. There are programs and strategies to reach the lost. The result has been to create a church with many pretenders and it has caused it to be powerless. Commit today to present the true gospel anywhere God directs; don't be afraid to tell the lost to count the costs. If God is moving on their heart, true repentance and faith will be forthcoming. New souls will be born into the Kingdom and "great grace will be upon them all."
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