> THE CHURCH of TOMORROW
> -by Andrew Strom.
>
> A lot of people probably read some of our writings and wonder,
> "Where is all this headed? What is the goal?" A glib answer might
> be- "We want to get back to real 'New Testament' Christianity."
> But what exactly does that look like?
>
> This is an important topic - and something I have pondered a great
> deal over the years. What exactly would the 'New Testament Church'
> look like if it was translated into a modern western city?
>
> To get started, I want you to forget about today's church just for a
> moment - with all her obvious problems and contradictions, and
> picture something quite different. I want you to imagine that you
> are still living in the same city, in the same year, but you are right
> in the middle of a 'Book of Acts'-type scenario. Somehow everything
> has changed.
>
> For some reason, all of the Spirit-filled Christians in your city have
> left their Denominations and divisions behind. They have truly begun
> to fulfill the prayer of Jesus - "That they all may be ONE". They now
> hold huge gatherings all over the city - right out in the open. And as
> well as these united gatherings, on most streets there is now a
> house-meeting, where all the Spirit-filled believers from that street
> gather together, eating and sharing and having communion, etc.
> (ie. A "NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH"). The power of God flowing in
> these house-meetings is amazing. Many healings and miracles
> are occurring. The 'gifts' flow freely every day.
>
> It seems also that many of the church buildings and cathedrals have
> simply been abandoned. No longer do Christians want to hide them-
> selves away behind "four walls". They want to gather out where the
> people are - presenting Jesus to the whole world. They want to be
> truly "one body". There is no way that any of their old buildings
> could contain the crowds, anyhow.
>
> And the men whom God has raised up to lead this vast movement
> do not seem much like the 'Reverends' or even the 'televangelists'
> of old. In fact, quite a few of them have never even been to Bible
> College, and they seem to be very plain, ordinary people from
> humble backgrounds. But what an anointing! It is very clear to
> everyone that these 'apostles and prophets' (as they are known)
> have spent many years in prayer and brokenness before God -
> drawing closer and closer to Him. When they speak, the very fear
> of the Lord seems to come down, and many people repent deeply
> of their sins. Demons are cast out and the blind and crippled are
> made whole. -These kinds of things are happening all the time.
> The whole city is just in awe of what is going on, and thousands
> upon thousands are being saved. Even the newspapers and
> television are full of it.
>
> As soon as someone repents they are immediately baptized in
> water and hands are laid on them for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
> -This is expected from day one! And it is also expected that every
> Christian has a gift and calling from God - and that they should be
> encouraged to move forward and fulfill their calling. No longer is
> there a distinction made between those who are "ministers" and
> those who are merely 'laity'. Now it is expected that EVERYONE
> is a minister of the Lord! (However, there are 'elders' - ie. older
> Christians to guide things).
>
> Some of the bishops and pastors from several denominations have
> actually denounced this great move of God very strongly. They say
> it is "deception" and warn their people to stay away. (-Every Revival
> in history has been accused of this - usually by religious leaders).
> But to be honest, it is so obvious to most people that God is the
> one behind it all, that very few take these men seriously. The Spirit
> of God is sweeping all before Him. The glory of the Lord has come.
>
> One of the reasons that these leaders are so upset is that a lot of
> the Christians' GIVING now does not go to church buildings, but
> rather to the POOR. In fact, God has spoken to many people to
> start supporting widows and orphans overseas, etc. They also give
> generously to anyone in their midst who is in need. Many even sell
> their own possessions in order to do this.
>
> The huge over-riding theme of this great movement is LOVE.
> "Behold how they love one another" is the catch-cry of many who
> watch this 'new church' in action. And everyone is given to MUCH PRAYER.
>
> And so, gathering "as one" in the outdoors and breaking bread from
> house to house, they eat together with glad and sincere hearts,
> praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord
> adds to their number daily those who are being saved.
>
> CAN This REALLY HAPPEN?
>
> The above description is taken straight out of the Book of Acts - as
> applied to today. Everything in the above paragraphs is put there to
> give you an idea of what it would be like to live in the Jerusalem
> church at the start of Acts. -And it was like that for YEARS. Imagine
> the impact of such a church on the world around it! God is wanting
> to do this again. And He wants to use ordinary people like you and
> me to help bring it to pass.
>
> I am convinced that we are NOT supposed to treat the early church
> as a "special case". It was given to us as an 'example'. It is what
> the "normal" church should be like all the time! And yet we have
> fallen so far below this standard. Only in times of Revival do we
> approach it again for a time. But I believe it is supposed to be
> "normal" for the church to be like this - day in and day out. This
> is the way that Jesus always wanted us to be.
>
> However, one thing is clear. It will take a great "SHAKING" for us
> to get anywhere close to the above description today. You have to
> be aware that in order to get there from here, a whole lot of
> 'hierarchies' and church boards and careers and titles and positions
> would be on the line. And a lot of men simply don't want to lose
> those things. It doesn't matter to them whether it is Truth or not. If
> it affects their reputation, their position or their organization, they
> will oppose it with everything they have.
>
> Sadly it is very difficult to see a "smooth" transition to this kind of
> Christianity. I believe we are in for a shaky ride. But I certainly
> believe that it is on God's agenda. And like the Great Reformation
> before it, I believe He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES in order to
> get us there.
>
> Here's to true 'NEW TESTAMENT' Christianity, my friends - the
> kind that Jesus and the apostles actually invented in the beginning.
>
> Let us settle for nothing less - WHATEVER IT TAKES.
>
> Please send feedback to- prophetic@revivalschool.com
>
> God bless you all.
>
> Andrew Strom.
> -by Andrew Strom.
>
> A lot of people probably read some of our writings and wonder,
> "Where is all this headed? What is the goal?" A glib answer might
> be- "We want to get back to real 'New Testament' Christianity."
> But what exactly does that look like?
>
> This is an important topic - and something I have pondered a great
> deal over the years. What exactly would the 'New Testament Church'
> look like if it was translated into a modern western city?
>
> To get started, I want you to forget about today's church just for a
> moment - with all her obvious problems and contradictions, and
> picture something quite different. I want you to imagine that you
> are still living in the same city, in the same year, but you are right
> in the middle of a 'Book of Acts'-type scenario. Somehow everything
> has changed.
>
> For some reason, all of the Spirit-filled Christians in your city have
> left their Denominations and divisions behind. They have truly begun
> to fulfill the prayer of Jesus - "That they all may be ONE". They now
> hold huge gatherings all over the city - right out in the open. And as
> well as these united gatherings, on most streets there is now a
> house-meeting, where all the Spirit-filled believers from that street
> gather together, eating and sharing and having communion, etc.
> (ie. A "NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH"). The power of God flowing in
> these house-meetings is amazing. Many healings and miracles
> are occurring. The 'gifts' flow freely every day.
>
> It seems also that many of the church buildings and cathedrals have
> simply been abandoned. No longer do Christians want to hide them-
> selves away behind "four walls". They want to gather out where the
> people are - presenting Jesus to the whole world. They want to be
> truly "one body". There is no way that any of their old buildings
> could contain the crowds, anyhow.
>
> And the men whom God has raised up to lead this vast movement
> do not seem much like the 'Reverends' or even the 'televangelists'
> of old. In fact, quite a few of them have never even been to Bible
> College, and they seem to be very plain, ordinary people from
> humble backgrounds. But what an anointing! It is very clear to
> everyone that these 'apostles and prophets' (as they are known)
> have spent many years in prayer and brokenness before God -
> drawing closer and closer to Him. When they speak, the very fear
> of the Lord seems to come down, and many people repent deeply
> of their sins. Demons are cast out and the blind and crippled are
> made whole. -These kinds of things are happening all the time.
> The whole city is just in awe of what is going on, and thousands
> upon thousands are being saved. Even the newspapers and
> television are full of it.
>
> As soon as someone repents they are immediately baptized in
> water and hands are laid on them for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
> -This is expected from day one! And it is also expected that every
> Christian has a gift and calling from God - and that they should be
> encouraged to move forward and fulfill their calling. No longer is
> there a distinction made between those who are "ministers" and
> those who are merely 'laity'. Now it is expected that EVERYONE
> is a minister of the Lord! (However, there are 'elders' - ie. older
> Christians to guide things).
>
> Some of the bishops and pastors from several denominations have
> actually denounced this great move of God very strongly. They say
> it is "deception" and warn their people to stay away. (-Every Revival
> in history has been accused of this - usually by religious leaders).
> But to be honest, it is so obvious to most people that God is the
> one behind it all, that very few take these men seriously. The Spirit
> of God is sweeping all before Him. The glory of the Lord has come.
>
> One of the reasons that these leaders are so upset is that a lot of
> the Christians' GIVING now does not go to church buildings, but
> rather to the POOR. In fact, God has spoken to many people to
> start supporting widows and orphans overseas, etc. They also give
> generously to anyone in their midst who is in need. Many even sell
> their own possessions in order to do this.
>
> The huge over-riding theme of this great movement is LOVE.
> "Behold how they love one another" is the catch-cry of many who
> watch this 'new church' in action. And everyone is given to MUCH PRAYER.
>
> And so, gathering "as one" in the outdoors and breaking bread from
> house to house, they eat together with glad and sincere hearts,
> praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord
> adds to their number daily those who are being saved.
>
> CAN This REALLY HAPPEN?
>
> The above description is taken straight out of the Book of Acts - as
> applied to today. Everything in the above paragraphs is put there to
> give you an idea of what it would be like to live in the Jerusalem
> church at the start of Acts. -And it was like that for YEARS. Imagine
> the impact of such a church on the world around it! God is wanting
> to do this again. And He wants to use ordinary people like you and
> me to help bring it to pass.
>
> I am convinced that we are NOT supposed to treat the early church
> as a "special case". It was given to us as an 'example'. It is what
> the "normal" church should be like all the time! And yet we have
> fallen so far below this standard. Only in times of Revival do we
> approach it again for a time. But I believe it is supposed to be
> "normal" for the church to be like this - day in and day out. This
> is the way that Jesus always wanted us to be.
>
> However, one thing is clear. It will take a great "SHAKING" for us
> to get anywhere close to the above description today. You have to
> be aware that in order to get there from here, a whole lot of
> 'hierarchies' and church boards and careers and titles and positions
> would be on the line. And a lot of men simply don't want to lose
> those things. It doesn't matter to them whether it is Truth or not. If
> it affects their reputation, their position or their organization, they
> will oppose it with everything they have.
>
> Sadly it is very difficult to see a "smooth" transition to this kind of
> Christianity. I believe we are in for a shaky ride. But I certainly
> believe that it is on God's agenda. And like the Great Reformation
> before it, I believe He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES in order to
> get us there.
>
> Here's to true 'NEW TESTAMENT' Christianity, my friends - the
> kind that Jesus and the apostles actually invented in the beginning.
>
> Let us settle for nothing less - WHATEVER IT TAKES.
>
> Please send feedback to- prophetic@revivalschool.com
>
> God bless you all.
>
> Andrew Strom.
