Whenever the Holy Spirit is at work, supernaturally, in a local church, His activity always inspires a broad variety of reactions, both from inside and outside of the Christian community. It is comforting to consider that this was exactly the same during The Acts of the Apostles. For example, speaking in tongues is met by some with mockery (“They have had too much wine” 2:13); healing the sick and miraculous acts led to hostility (“They threatened them…” 4:21) and even fear (“Great fear seized the whole church… No-one else dared join them” 5:11-13). Pentecostals should not court controversy or be insensitive to guests and seekers (1 Corinthians 14:23), but it should not come as any surprise when a genuine move of God produces fear and opposition. Thankfully, Acts also affirms that the Spirit-filled church is likely to also surprise and impress a sceptical world (“They were astonished…” 4:13) and to grow numerically. Luke records: “More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” (Acts 5:14).
Let’s believe for that too!
CAVANNA 