When you read the Gospels and Acts, you should come away with a good understanding that we serve a mighty and powerful God. Revelation 19:6 “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” Revelation 12:10 “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.” Daniel 4:3 “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” You should also understand that this power does not remain with God but is used to free His people. Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Jesus Luke 4:16 “stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

    Scripture also points to the fact that freeing His people means that God’s power also flows through His servants. Paul was sent Acts 26:18 “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” This would be a good time to read the Gospels and Acts and as you read take note of the power of God, the very power the church was supposed to have starting at Pentecost. John 7:37 “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” John the Baptist said Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” That meant the power of God was coming. Also remember what John said about Jesus. John 21:25 “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” Oh, also read it as if you have never gone to church where you have been persuaded to read with a certain pair of glasses, usually ones that negate the power of God. The voice (satan) you hear in the background does not want you to believe what you read. satan is still asking the same question he asked Eve, Genesis 3:1 “Did God really say?” 

    Now that you have read them or looked into it, you should have a sense of what the church should be doing. What we see in the gospels was what that church was to continue to do. It is obvious that the church is not doing anything close to what you read in the Gospels and Acts. As John pointed out, we only saw a glimpse of what Jesus did and that also includes what the disciples and the disciples after them did. We are told that Acts 19:11 “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” The power that Paul was given was not detailed though he said, Galatians 3:1 “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” That means there were miracles happening, just not described. The same goes with disciples after Pentecost. For example, we are told about seven men chosen to wait on tables. Acts 6:2 “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” We then hear about Stephen and Philip. 5 “This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.” We don’t see specific details on the other waiters but that doesn’t mean others did not have the same power. What we do know is that power is not present in the church.

    The first thing Jesus did was make disciples and then those disciples were to make disciples and so on and so on. Matthew 10:1 “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.”  There are two passages that say the same thing, yet most in the church, when talking about the great commission, use Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Most use this verse because it is safe, but the same thing is said in Mark 16:4 “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” Notice the word of God was confirmed with power. Hebrews also says Hebrews 2:4 “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Most don’t like Mark 16, one because they think it doesn’t belong because some bibles say that part was not found in the earliest manuscripts but you can scratch that out, because the same is said in other places as you will read. The problem with Mark 16 for some is that what is said does not line up with their doctrines and theology. So instead of changing their beliefs, they reject God’s word and that is rebellion. Notice that the passage started with “He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.” Jesus is still rebuking people today for their stubborn refusal to believe but most are not listening.

    We also see this call to make disciples here. Luke 24:45 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” This continues in Acts 1:4 “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It is not just the twelve being talked about. Peter said Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

    Most in the church have only accepted John’s baptism and are like those Paul spoke to. Acts 19:1 “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.” Notice this is in the same chapter where we see that God gave Paul extraordinary powers. So, since it is the same Spirit the disciples received, it means these disciples would also have power, though it is not talked about. We know they had power because we are told 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” Again Hebrews 2:4 “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

    It is here that the problems arise. Many teach that it was only the early disciples who were given authority and power because they would be the only witnesses and then the power and authority was quickly taken away just as fast as it was given. Not true by the way as scripture says no such thing. Please remember the power and authority that you read about in the Gospels and Acts. If not, then just the verses above should be enough to question as to whether or not you actually believe the Gospels and Acts or you have succumbed to the false teaching of the powerless church. Or they reject what they read for what they have been taught. Many people have done that. It doesn’t seem to matter that scripture does not say what they so readily believed. Sadly, many don’t actually know what the bible states very clearly about power and authority. I would say that most in the church have no problem with reading about what God did then, but do not accept what God said the church would be doing now.

    When I was preparing to write this, I started looking for quotes from those who believe God is only a God of the past and they were everywhere. There are basically two camps, the cessationists and the continuationists. Basically, the cessationists believes the sign or power gifts ceased, but oddly have no problem with the others you read about above as they are much easier to fake. The continuists believe the power gifts have continued. The problem is that what we read in the Gospels and Acts is not happening in either camp. Many in the continuists camp talk about having power, but as Paul said, 1 Corinthians 4:20 “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” Paul said to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” As I was reading, (very popular gurus) I could feel the heaviness that comes with rejecting the word of God. What they were saying could not be substantiated with scripture and revealed their ignorance. Peter talked about these people when he said, 2 Peter 3:16  “He (Paul) writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” Yes, they (both camps) sound very intellectual, but are you really wise when you are trying to justify the lack of power in the church and never leading those who follow into repentance so the kingdom of God comes near once again? They change, distort and reject what scripture clearly states to justify their own doctrines and theology. Since there is no power and authority from on High, they have to say the bible doesn’t apply to today. Paul also said to Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:7 “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” Yes, I know these men could talk circles around me, but the difference is I actually believe what the bible states, not what the gurus state about the bible and I am waiting for God to turn His face back to the church. I am also not trying to defend a doctrine that so many will go to their graves believing. 2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 1 Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” That has already happened. The church would do well to start listening to what Paul had to say to Timothy.

    Most of the rejection of the power comes from seeing what is happening in charismatic circles and what is not happening in the church. I am not going to go into all that I read about because most of it just isn’t found in scripture. When they do talk about it, they pick and choose verses (cut and paste) that line up with their precious doctrines. Here is where I agree with the cessationists. You should reject what you see in the charismatic circles, but not what you read in scripture. Many guidebooks / handbooks will say, we do not believe as they do, referring to the charismatics. These manuals are in addition to the bible much like the Mormons. Each group states clearly what they believe, and each group are completely different so basically they have done what the Mormons have done. That was a deadly mistake because in doing so they have rejected what Jesus said. As I read what many said, it was pathetic and ignorant, but millions of people have listened to their words and in doing so have rejected the word of God.

    The second part is that power and authority is not present in the church and that is correct, but the premise is wrong. Power and authority are not present not because God said no more power for the church, but because the church rejected the word of God and power was removed. The church did exactly what Israel and Judah did and like Israel and Judah our enemies have defeated the church. Paul said, 1 Corinthians 10:6 “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” Many have fallen even though they teach they can’t fall, but as Peter said, 2 Peter 3:17 “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.” But don’t let scripture get in the way of your doctrines! Since the church did not learn, the church followed them down the same path to desolation and destruction. God allowed the abomination that causes desolation to decimate the church.

    Desolation and destruction came because they refused to listen to God’s word. Ezekiel 20 gives us the story of rebellion from Egypt, the wilderness and the promised land. They rebelled against the word of God the whole time. Jeremiah 7:21 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. 25 From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. 26 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors.’ 27 “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. 28 Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.” Jeremiah 35:14 “But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me.”

    Over and over God spoke to His people, but they continued to reject and rebel against Him. The church has done the same as Israel and Judah when they followed other gods. When Israel and Judah rebelled, God turned His face from them and they lost their power over their enemies and they were defeated. They were told what would happen if they rebelled just as the church was told. The same has happened to the church and due to that rebellion, the abomination that causes desolation has decimated the church just as Daniel spoke about. The devastation from this is massive. Jesus said, Matthew 24:15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.” This attack on the church is so brutal, no one would survive but because of God’s promise to David, there will be a remnant of survivors. A remnant means that many lives have been lost in this rebellion.

    This rebellion has caused the church to be powerless, yet the church continues as if all is well when it is not. Daniel 8:12 “Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.” Instead of repenting and having God turn His face back to the church, scripture is distorted, changed and added to so that beliefs do not have to change. Jeremiah 18:11 “This is what the Lord says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’ 12 But they will reply, ‘It’s no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts.’” We were told not to add to or take away from scripture, yet most in the church do that. Revelation 22:18 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” Deuteronomy 4:1 “Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” As I was reading about some of the gurus reasoning, each one downplayed the lack of miracles, healing, signs and wonders and casting out demons and often would downplay their importance. They would also attempt to turn the power of God into everyday life. One well-known guru even said there were not as many miracles in the New Testament as you might think. This was said in an effort to explain the lack of miracles in the church today. Basically, he was saying don’t be surprised if you do not see many miracles, that is normal. No that is pathetic and that totally contradicts what John said above about there being so many miracles there would not be enough books. Matthew 4:23 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.” Notice the verse said healing every disease and sickness. So these gurus are saying we do not need that today? Yes, this is only two verses but how can you say there were not as many miracles as you might think unless you did not believe God was the God of the present as well as the past. Most have chosen to read about old, old stories and not be part of the power of God that is available today.

    Believing God is only the God who acts in the past, basically put, is unbelief in what God’s word clearly states. The condition of the church today shows that the church has been decimated. What has become the church is in decline, while other groups are on the rise including those who do not believe anything. There has been a clear effort to make sure the church we see is how God intended it to be, but what God intended for the church is clearly laid out in scripture and the church that most declare as normal is far from what God’s plan for the church was. That plan always includes His power and authority, not only from His own arm, but through His disciples.

    The book of Daniel gives us a clear picture of what happened when God’s people refused to obey and the power that was present and given to those who did obey. We also are given a picture of the church that has already been decimated. The church like Daniel remains in captivity. Daniel was taken captive because Judah refused to listen to God’s servants the prophets. Daniel 1:1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.” This was the king that burned the scroll written by Jeremiah. Jeremiah 36:30 “Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night. 31 I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.’” 2 Chronicles 36:5 “Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. 8 The other events of Jehoiakim’s reign, the detestable things he did and all that was found against him, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.” Daniel was included in those taken captive, as were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Daniel 1:17 “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”

    Here we see great faith and the power of God in action. Now Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah could have just believed in the God of the past that took His people out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness and into the promised land, but not believe that His power was available for him in his day. Then the book of Daniel would be different, but they did believe the same power that saved God’s people from Egypt would save them in their day. Their faith was then tested. Because no one could interpret the king’s dream, Daniel 2:12 “This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.” Now God had given Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. 17 “Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” They were saved but then again death was around the corner as Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah refused to bow to the idol the king had made. Daniel 3:15 “Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand? 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” After they were thrown into the fire, 24 “King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” Then again Daniel faces death once again because he refused to turn away from His God as he was commanded to. The edict was certain death by being thrown into the lion’s den. 13 “Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. 15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.” 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” I think what was amazing was this king desperately wanted to believe Daniel’s God would save him. 19 “At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” They knew how deadly the lion’s den was as this part is included. 24 “At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.”

    The one thing that stops the power of God is a lack of belief. I say belief but also faith, but so many say a person wasn’t healed because they did not have enough faith, whereas there was no power to begin with. Rebellion against God’s word is a lack of belief. Even the disciples did not believe Jesus and He stood among them. When Jesus began His ministry, Luke 4:22 “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” Then in the same chapter, Luke 4:35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. 36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. 40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.”

    Charismatic and non-charismatic both refuse to adhere to the word of God. The non-charismatic refuses to believe what is written and the charismatic refuses to test the spirits and is easily deceived by what they think is God moving in power. We are told 1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Both groups have been deceived and deluded because the word of God has been rejected. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

    The reason there is no power and authority in the church is simple and the answer is rebellion! It is not because God no longer does as He has always done. Power and authority are a constant in scripture, just not in the church. His power has always been through His own arm and His servants. Exodus 6:6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.” Deuteronomy 4:34 “Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?” But as we see throughout scripture God has also used His servants. Some like Moses, Elijah and Elisha performed great acts of power, but not on their own of course. Exodus 14:15 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” 1 Kings 17:1 “Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word. 19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” 2 Kings 2:9 “When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.”

    Then the same power continued in the New Testament. Matthew 8:14 “When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Luke 9:1 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 10:9 “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” Acts 8:6 “When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.” Acts 19:11 “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” Think back to Elijah above and read James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” We also know that not everyone performed signs and wonders as John tells us, but they did prophecy. This is what the church is supposed to be doing as nowhere in scripture does it say the power and authority would stop. What is being taught are doctrines of demons, a different Jesus and other gospels. Scripture does not teach this but does say John 14:12 “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” This happens because John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”

    Most in the church say they believe Jesus rose from the dead ,yet do not believe the power that raised Him is available today even though Paul said. Ephesians 1:17 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

    A modern-day prophet does what the prophets of old did. They tell people God’s word, words that they do not want to hear. The difference today is that prophets use the word of God and do not add to it but speak the parts that God’s people refuse to hear and believe. Many say there cannot be prophets because the cannon is closed but Ephesians 4:11 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Like with the gifts of the spirit, many pick and choose according to their own beliefs, doctrines and theology. It is still the same as when God sent Jeremiah and Ezekiel. They spoke the word of the Lord to a people who refused to listen. Jeremiah 26:15 “Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.” Jeremiah 44:28 “Then the whole remnant of Judah who came to live in Egypt will know whose word will stand—mine or theirs.” Ezekiel 3:5 “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel— 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.”11 Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.” Sadly most did not listen.

    It really is appalling how many spend time disparaging the word of the Lord and causing others not to believe in the process. These are men and women who profess Jesus as their Lord and savior, yet reject His word because it does not line up with what they believe. It is easy to see that the church is off track and is dying, so that means what is being taught is wrong. Down the road from me are two charismatic churches with empty parking lots all week long. They say they have the power, but they do not. The same goes with the many non-charismatic church who say they have the Spirit of God, yet there is no power and their parking lots are also empty all week long. Both say Jesus has risen from the dead, yet there is no power. All over the country, hospitals are packed, you don’t want to go to the ER and many cannot find a doctor and it is getting worse. Sicknesses including mental health are on the rise, yet the church says all is well as it fades into obscurity. Most want nothing to do with what the church is selling, yet crowds flocked to Jesus to be healed. The church says Jesus lives, but acts as if He is dead. The church you attend should be seeking the power and authority to return, but most are not. If you are at one of those churches, take the time to find out what you have been saved into. Paul warned us when he said 2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” Galatians 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” As we read earlier Galatians 3:1 “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?”

    I admit I did not search very long but most of my search found those who are trying to justify the powerlessness of the church. What I didn’t find are those saying the church is off track, close the doors, shut the manmade church down and return to the word of God. Malachi 1:10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.” Singing is a huge part of the modern day church but God is not listening. It is mostly for those who attend. Amos said Amos 5:21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.” We are not talking about shutting down and then doing as the latest guru says to do or having a better worship team or facility. We are talking about returning to the word of the Lord. Zechariah 1:3 “Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Plead with God to turn His face back to His church.

    Malachi also tells us Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Make sure your leader is actually speaking the word of the Lord to you. Just because they tell you they are does not mean they are. Make sure you test the spirits and be sure. If signs and wonders, healing, miracles and casting out demons are not present, another gospel is being preached. Or your church has repented and waiting for the power of God to return. That is where you want to be. If not, run away. Having said that, the manifestations you may see in charismatic circles is not God, so be careful. The babble you may hear does not mean the Spirit of God is present as satan masquerades as an angel of light. If the Spirit of God is as present as they say, healings, miracles, signs and wonders would be happening and would look just like the Gospels and Acts.

    Until the true power returns, our main efforts should be to plead with God until His power returns. 2 Chronicles 20:9 “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.” 36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.” Isaiah 62:6 “You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, 7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” Malachi 3:16 “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. 17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

    Don’t be satisfied with the old, old stories about a God who used to heal. Seek the God who heals all our infirmities and disease. Turn away from those who teach otherwise. 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” We were warned, so be careful.