On June 8, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared the sixth in an online series on the revival of the church. She discussed the fourth principle for the revival of the church.
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:40-42)
1. Learn the truth
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2: 19-20)
The church was not built on modern concepts, but on the teachings of the prophets in the Old Testament and apostles in the New Testament. What we need to learn are not earthly laws and morals, but the constitution of Heaven.
Every time we come to the church it is to listen to His teachings and do the right things according to His truth. This was the same as the apostles’ teaching, and so we should continue to teach other Christians. The most important thing about the spiritual life in the church was to teach people with the truth.
2. Practice love
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:1-5)
Many people today, including Christians, put on a mask to please others and maintain a good image. However, selfish ambition or vain conceit brings strife. The church emphasizes spiritual unity, requires believers to love each other and have the same mind and purpose. We should work together to care about the problems of others just as if they were our problems. Taking Christ as our example and putting the affairs of others above our own leads to unity. Don’t care too much about your own image or cater to your own needs because this hinders the unity of God’s family. Relationships between believers are dependent on love and helping and supporting each other.
3. Remember the Lord's grace
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29)
We remember the Lord through Communion. The Lord Jesus ate the Passover feast with his disciples before the crucifixion, also known as the Last Supper. This Last Supper gave a new meaning to Passover and a sacrament to be practiced by the church. Celebrating Communion helps believers to remember the redemption on the cross, not only to remember the death of the Lord but to lead believers to look forward to the return of the Lord.
Church life in the past included listening, serving, worshipping God, sharing with each other, preaching and showing love. The church should emphasize the above things, and effectively and balancedly promote the development of them in different activities. In this way, the church can grow in a healthy manner.
4. Ask God to help us learn how to pray
Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:3-4)
Prayer is like spiritual breathing, and also the source of spiritual wisdom and power. Only those who really know God will value prayer. Only by letting the Holy Spirit lead us can the work be carried out effectively and successfully. Today, many Christians pray in unity, and then missionaries can preach with success and expand God’ Kingdom.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
