Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Sept/67

Contributor - R. Van Farowe

Title - The Church Waiting For Power

Topic - Church

Acts 1 : 4, 8 -

". . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father - and ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you........."

These are the well known words o' Jesus, spoken just before his ascension into heaven. The disciples had asked Jesus whether this was the time He would restore the kingdom to Israel. Now comes the answer of the Master. The answer is not a direct "yes" or "no". That is, He does not say whether He will, or will not, now restore the kingdom again to Israel. He says to the disciples that it is not for them to know the times and seasons which the Father has put in His own power. That is, some things belong to God alone,, and He only has the ability and the right to decide. The time element in the establishment of the kingdom is one of them.

After this answer of Jesus in which He told them that "times and seasons" were in the Father's own power He gave them a revealed duty and a plain promise. That was to wait for coming upon them of the Holy Spirit, in Whose power they would be able to work and to witness.

That "upper room" then where the eleven, together with some others, waited for ten days, was a place of OBEDIENCE. Christ had told them to wait - and they did wait. Now it is true that one of the conditions for a church, or a Christian, to receive for the work, is to be obedient. When Jesus, at the wedding, proceeded to ask for jars, and then these jars be filled, His mother had said "Whatever He says to you, do it". That is also a good rule for us. What He says, do it. Obey! When the Old Testament Saul had become disobedient, the prophet Samuel had to come with the stern and solemn announcement, "Behold to obey is better than sacrifice".

Are we, in everything, as obedient as that early group of Christians? Someone has said that the mysterious,, hard to understand, parts of the bible did not bother him so much as those which were clearly understood. By that he meant that it is sometimes harder to DO than to know, the will of God. "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them," said Jesus and we remember also the emphasis of James.

But that room of obedience was also a room where they WAITED. They had been told to wait, and they did. Sometimes it is pretty hard to wait. Yet we are plainly told, often, to wait for God, and on God. "Wait on the Lord and keep His way and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land." "Wait, I say on the Lord." "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." These, and many others, texts tell us the Christian duty of waiting. Parents, wait for the fulfillment of the promise that God will bless your children.

But also, pray. For that is what they also did in that upper room. They also knew their bible, and filled the place of the departed Judas Scripturally. Psalm 69 : 25 and Palm 109 : 8.

They also were united, "with one accord". They put away needless divisions and strifes. This wasn't an external union merely, but an inner and spiritual unity. Even after Pentecost the early church "continued in the apostles' doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers".

That promised power of the Holy Ghost really did come. That power will continue to come, when the Church fulfills the conditions. How very much the Church, also in Canada, needs that power. We need that power to give witness for the Christ. The Holy Spirit always glorifies Christ, never Himself, nor men. So the Holy Spirit will give us open mouths and ready tongues to tell of Jesus, and what He has done for us.

Power will then also be given us to bear the dangers willingly which are part of such a witness. "They will persecute you," said Jesus. And they did. Stephen was stoned to death. Peter and John, Paul and Silas, were imprisoned. But these, and others, received power to go ahead in spite of all this.

That power of the Holy Ghost also preserved the early church from the pitfalls of the clash of personalities, as witness Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Peter. The same Holy Spirit is desperately needed today to make us all humble and forgiving, tender and honest. He is needed to give people and pastor love and care for one another.<br><br>

How will the Holy Spirit do all of this? By revealing the truth to Christian workers, according to Christ's own promise in John 14 : 16, 17. He will also empower the Word, giving that Word convicting and warming ability. He will also be the agent in regenerating individuals, giving them new life. Still further, the Spirit will give special enduements for service, such as guidance for the leaders, and "fruits of the Spirit".

That power has continued through history. Great missionary movements and great revivals continue to stir the world. When passion died, and when love became cold, when the Church forgot her mission, God has sent renewals of power. This power alone can Christianize industry and social life.

Let us also remember the COMFORT of the Holy Spirit. When He comes, and He does come in answer to waiting and prayer, He makes life bearable, yes happy and joyous!

Therefore let us seek, in a new and fresh way, to be truly filled with the Spirit of God that we may be divinely led, divinely empowered, and wholly committed.

The hymnwriter Watts puts the prayer in our hearts,

"Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers Kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours."

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