The Church and the Holy Spirit:
A Quick Review
The primary lesson of the entire Church Age is that you need the Holy Spirit. You, your family, and your church function much better when the Spirit of God is present and you are flowing in Him. That is what the first century Church was like. From the Day of Pentecost to the end of the first century, the Holy Ghost ministered powerfully to the believers.
But something happened. By A.D. 110, God’s Spirit had lifted from the Church at large, though smaller groups continued to experience His manifestations. The nature of the Church was different. The personal Spirit-led relationship with God was replaced with a more distant religious relationship—as the Bible says, "Having the form of God but denying its power" (2 Tim. 3:5). In fact, Jesus personally took the anointing away. He said, "But I have against you that you left your first love…I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent" (Rev. 2:4,5).
For the next fifteen centuries, the Church in general went spiritually downhill. From 100 to 312, the pagan Romans attempted to wipe out Christianity. Also, wolves in sheep’s clothing attempted to pervert Christianity with the false teachings of Gnosticism and Ebonism. In 312, the persecution stopped and the Church became a State church. From that time until the 1500s, the Church was political, and grew to great power and influence in what has been called the Middle Ages. During this time, many good works were accomplished, including the creation of the hospice and of helpful mission work. But the political institution became corrupt, and leaders at the very top were worldly, sinful, and idolatrous. In 1517, Martin Luther attempted to start an intellectual debate to bring reform to the Roman Church that he loved; but the corruption in the leadership forced what became the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation witnessed religious hatred and prejudice, not just of Catholics versus Protestants, but of Protestants against Protestants. In fact, Jesus condemns this period by saying, "I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead" (Rev. 3:1). Mercy and compassion were missing from this period. And the Reformation ended with the horrible Thirty Years War.
After this began to spring up Christianity from the heart. Shortly after the end of the Reformation (1648), a pastor in Germany began hold Bible studies in his home. This new movement of devotion to God eventually came to the American Colonies and broke out in the Great Awakening (1730s-1760s). In the early 1800s Revivalism broke out and by the mid-1800s the holiness movement was underway. During this century, there were many instances of healing experienced in the holiness movement, and even a few other Biblical signs of the power of the Holy Ghost. Then in 1901, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost was experienced in Kansas and the surrounding territory, and in 1906, a revival in Los Angeles saw the Baptism in the Holy Ghost move on people who took this fresh move of God around the world. By 2004, the Pentecostal-charismatic Christians numbered an estimated 300 to 570 million worldwide—a huge percentage of all Christianity. The power of the Holy Spirit has been restored to the Church around the world.
Get ready for the great last days move of God. It will be beyond anything you have ever seen or heard. Miracles and healings will pour out like water through a facet. Numbers will be raised from the dead. The Church will worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Then Jesus will come for a ready and willing Church that is without spot or wrinkle!