Trials are actually good for the Kingdom of God. Persecution does for the Church what wind does to seed; it scatters it and produces a harvest! Saul, (who became Apostle Paul), persecuted men and women, often to death. But God used Saul's rage. Years later, Saul/Paul spent time in fellowship with Philip the Evangelist. For the believers, the Holy Spirit was In them, but He had not fallen upon ("epi" in Greek) them. They experienced visible and audible evidence that they were empowered with the Holy Spirit!
Acts 7 tells the story of Stephen, whose name means crown. Stephen had a fire and boldness for the Gospel, as he became the first martyr of the church. He began by teaching the spiritual leadership of Israel, reminding them of their spiritual roots, beginning with Abraham. Abraham was the foun...
Ray Bentley - Acts 1:1-7
Notes: https://www.maranathachapel.org/s/ActsNotes070520.pdf
Power came down from Heaven. The only thing that will move the world are lives ignited by the Spirit of God. The early Church had none of the things we think essential for success, yet the Church turned Rome up...
Ray Bentley - Acts 1:8-14, July 12, 2020
Notes: https://www.maranathachapel.org/s/ActsNotes071220.pdf
You shall receive power: The Spirit of God will indwell every believer. The Greek term for power is "dunamis," which means force, miraculous power, ability, strength, violence, and mighty. It a...
