The Church led by the Holy Spirit
(Acts. 13:1-5)
The secret of successful life of faith is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The key to the church growth is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, too. After the birth of Jerusalem church by the Holy Spirit’s coming down at the Day of Pentecost, the church had been growing day by day. Additionally, Antioch church, the first established church for gentles, was full of the Holy Spirit so that the church was used greatly.
1. The church hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit
There were five leaders at Antioch including Barnabas and Saul. However, the first leader of the church was the Holy Spirit. All the church members obeyed the Holy Spirit, asking them to send Baranabas and Saul as missionaries. Church is the community being led by the Holy Spirit. People in the world depend on academic background and regional background and accumulate their specs to achieve success. On the contrary, people filled with word of God and the Holy Spirit are used in the church as well as being respected. We should do work, being led by the Holy Spirit rather than following the human willpower. We should be filled with the Holy Spirit and pray every day to be in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
2. The church praying with fasting
To become faithful to its duty, church should pray hard. Praying is the strength to revive the church. Also, the church is where all people pray. People should be united with prayer regardless of wealth and education status. When the church is restored with prayer, God will help and solve various problems in the church. When they are prepared with hard prayer, the Holy Spirit lets the churches know the will of God and gives them power to achieve the will of God. There are limits in human will and human power. Therefore, we should do our best efforts to be armed with the power of the Holy Spirit by praying hard with fasting.
3. The church devoting itself to mission work
The mission of the church is to complete the command of Jesus, which is to spread the gospel to the end of the world. To do this, the church should spread gospel all over the world, utilizing its capacity and resources. Namely, we should achieve the will of God in heaven in this land. If the churches delay the mission because of urgent and impending matters in front of them, they will be lifeless. All the church members should devote themselves to overseas mission, or become supporters with prayer and financial help. When we are devoted as missionaries or supporters, God will take care of our lives and allows the church to grow. Let all of us become the churches and church members receiving praise from God.