8.8. A REFURBISHED PEOPLE IN THE WORD, PREPARING THEM TO ANSWER EVERYONE

It is usual in a special move of God, for His people to make a deeper commitment to Christ as Lord, and to the Word, which prepares them to be defenders of the faith, like a ship that returns to harbour to be refurbished for a return to sea. So His people, through divine renewal, return to the Word and are refurbished by it. The wonderful Scriptures given by inspiration of God are intended that the man of God be complete:

2 Timothy 3:16,17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (KJV)

By the Holy Spirit bringing His people to inner commitment to Jesus as Lord, there comes a readiness to answer in a winsome way all who question our faith.

1 Peter 3:15,16 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (KJV)

A refreshed people exhibit the lovely attitudes of Christ, that evidence the work of God among and in them.

The priority for the apostles during the move of the Spirit on the Early Church, was their spiritual ministry, that of the 'word of God' and 'prayer' (Acts 6:4 ). Their serving ministry: 'wait on tables', was so important that the most gifted and qualified men of God were appointed to the practical work. The apostles personally gave themselves fully to the Word and prayer. Whenever God is moving, leadership gets a genuine reverence for and loving commitment to the preaching of the Word. When this kind of Holy Spirit-led spreading of the Word happens, large numbers receive the Word and obey it (Acts 6:7 ).

Preaching the Word had special meaning for the apostles. To them it involved presenting the Christ-centered message. Examples of the preaching of Peter and Paul contain the same emphasis. The summary of Paul's addresses in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch endorses this understanding of the Word (Acts 13:16-41 ). He preached Christ as the reason for founding Israel (Acts 13:21-23 ); as prophetically promised (Acts 13:24-25 ); as the appointed Saviour (Acts 13:23 ); His predetermined death (Acts 13:26-29 ); His resurrection (Acts 13:30-37 ); in whom there is forgiveness and justification through believing (Acts 13:38-39 ); salvation by His grace (Acts 13:39 ); warned not to reject Christ (Acts 13:40-41 ). Any true and lasting spiritual outpouring will be stamped with reverential commitment to the Word.

The consequences of a prayerless leadership and church is dryness, formality, and paralysing, legalistic religion. Where the Holy Spirit works in power, there is witnessed a return of the fires of prayer. Leaders and people alike, through prayer, become participators in a Church ablaze. The account of the Holy Spirit at work in the book of Acts shows constant co-operation of leaders and the Church by prayer - even a brief outline of prayer in the book of Acts can inspire us:

	Prayer prepared for Pentecost (Acts 1:14 ).
	Provided a successor in apostleship (Acts 1:23-26 ).
	Persisted in by Pentecostal converts (Acts 2:42-47 ).
	Prayer power shakes the meeting place (Acts 4:29-31 ).
	Places chosen men in office (Acts 6:3-8 ).
	Pleads for others in the face of martyrdom (Acts 7:60; Luke 23:34; 2 Corinthians 3:18 ).
	Prayer participates in the Holy Spirit baptism of others (Acts 8:15-17 ).
	Pre-empted the coming of Ananias to Saul (Acts 9:11-17 ).
	Prayer preparative to raising the dead (Acts 9:40,42 ).
	Procured angelic instruction from the Lord (Acts 10:2-5 ).
	Promoted a vision of the gospel for all nations (Acts 10:9-48 ).
	Powerfully released Peter from prison (Acts 2:5-17 ).
	Produced the first sending of missionaries (Acts 13:3 ).
	Positioned elders in every Church (Acts 14:23 ).
	Prayer and praise were answered by an earthquake, and led to conversions (Acts 16:25-34 ).
	Prayer preceded affectionate farewells (Acts 20:36-38; 21:5-6 ).
	Prayer preceded travel to Jerusalem (Acts 21:5-6 ).
	Prayer personally encouraged those about to be shipwrecked to act believingly (Acts 27:34-36 ).
	Prevailed in bringing healing (Acts 28:8 ).
	Prayer of all kinds and at all times perpetuates a move of God.

Find out how informed you are, answer these questions:

1. By what means is it possible to be accurately informed?
2. What examples could you give to show that people respond differently to God's presence in power?
3. Have there been occasions when you have concluded that human experience has been mistakenly accepted as divine manifestation?
4. Are all spiritual gifts given for the profit of all - if so, who are meant by "all"?
5. How, according to Paul, can we distinguish between what is counterfeit and what is a genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit?
6. Each gift of the Spirit is distinct and can be defined. Can you classify them?
7. Would you expect divers kinds of operations with each of the gifts of the Spirit?
8. Would you expect some kind of breakthrough to result from divine sovereign action?
9. What would you expect to be part of a move of God today?
10. What contributes most to ignorance? What would be your reasons for expecting believers to be better informed today?