Acts 8:5-8

It is my strong belief that the twenty-first century church to which we belong still traffics in power. I heartily subscribe to the view that if this is His church then it cannot be dry, weak, powerless and anemic. As we review the transactions of the Early Church all we can find there is a church fully continuing in the footprints of Jesus. As He left the earthly scene, they steadfastly continued in the direction and pace He had mapped out for them (Acts 2:42).

If this is His church then by no means can we be ordinary, lifeless or powerless. Nowhere in Scriptures do we find that God’s people simply submit to the enemy and give in to defeat and despair. To the contrary, we never give in. We preach! We fight! We pray! We reorganize! We resist! We march forward! We triumph! We overcome! We always keep in mind Jesus’ fighting words when He said “. . . And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

Therefore, in true apostolic tradition, we refuse to lay down arms and give up. We refuse to play church. The enemy powers of darkness must know that when coming to the Church of God, we refuse to go away and drift off into the sunset. We know who we are and what has been placed at our disposal.

In Luke’s chronicling of the development of the Early Church, he tells us of a church that was powerfully fierce and fearless. With energy, force, spark and vitality they aggressively pushed forward, tearing down principalities and powers as they moved into new spaces. In fact, as they moved in, the whole atmosphere seemed to shift and change. It was natural for miracles, signs and wonders to attend their ministries. They refused to have ordinary church meetings. Fireworks followed them!

To substantiate this, this is what we find documented in Acts 8:5-8, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” Can you imagine! They did not just only preach. As they preached the Holy Spirit showed up and confirmed the Word with signs following. Indeed, revival broke out! Lives were transformed. The demons showed up, but as quickly as they showed up, they were expelled. The sick and diseased were healed and made whole. The entire landscape was transformed.

This is the tradition to which the Church of God belongs. As we go preaching, we expect manifestations of the miraculous to take place. We follow the script! Jesus said “. . . As you go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7,8). We refuse to play church! We cast down every strong hold in Jesus Name! We counteract evil supernaturalism everywhere, going on the offensive! We refuse to do the ordinary!

Leroy V. Greenaway

Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region

July 1, 2023