Has the Holy Spirit left the church?

A week ago on Pentecost Sunday so much was preached or written about the Holy Spirit. We say without the Holy Spirit there would have been no Christianity. Christ would have said good bye at Easter for good. The Holy Spirit as promised by Christ did come on the Pentecost. In fact, Christ knew the impact the Holy Spirit would make in their lives hence He told them to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit. It was the power of the Holy Spirit which made the apostles and the early church who they were.

The fellowship of the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and prayer. Many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Some people believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were exclusively for an apostolic age, not for today. John Wesley clearly believed that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were relevant for the church in any age. In his sermons and journals; He defined them. He described them. He experienced them. He defended them.

To what extent does the gift of the Holy Spirit influence the church today as they were in the days of the first apostles? Is the gift of the Holy Spirit still relevant in the church today?

If they are then how does the gift of the Holy Spirit impact in our church today? The statistics of church today is indicative of the evident of the Holy Spirit in our church. Many have described the Western world as post Christianity, like a product which has passed it sell- by date. Where is the eagerness to preach the gospel? Where is the prophesy? Where are the visions? John Wesley was commuting from Bristol to Brixton to preach the gospel. He used every opportunity and location he got to preach the gospel. That is how the Holy Spirit enabled him.

Just how does the Holy Spirit influence the church today? Is it in administration? The church is no more driven by the Holy Spirit. It is rather driven by knowledge and power. Try putting your self up for a responsibility in the church today. The first thing people will be interested in is your qualification and experience. Its appears the power of the Holy Spirit has been deactivated.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in our church discourse? Try defending an idea or a project in a church council meeting or a circuit meeting by saying you’ve been convinced by the Holy Spirit. You’ll be looked at as if you’ve just landed on the planet earth.

Have we grieved the Holy Spirit? Is that why it has left the church in this state?

My Minister has said we shall use the next four weeks bible study to learn about the Holy Spirit. Good luck to him and all those who will be attending.