3) Divine Dynamo

As with every genuine revival recorded throughout Church history the Holy Spirit is the Divine Dynamo. This shouldn't surprise us as this was the Fuel, the Fire that initiated the "first generation" New Covenant Church. It was the power of the Holy Spirit that came down upon the early disciples as they waited in obedience to the Lord's command. (Lk,24:49 & Acts1:5,8) Scriptures makes it very clear that the Holy Spirit not only came "upon" the Believers but also "filled" them. The fire of the Holy Spirit ignited an all consuming passion for Christ in the hearts of God's people. This is what is needed today!

It's the "being filled" with the Holy Spirit that enabled the early disciples to be Jesus' witnesses in the earth and it's this same "being filled" that will enable Christians in the 21st century to glorify the Lord. 

Jesus told his disciples that they would receive "power" when the Holy Spirit came upon them. When you read the books of Acts it's becomes very clear that Jesus' disciples lived and ministered through the "power" of the Holy Spirit. The word used here for power is "dunamis" from which derives the English word dynamite. Jesus promised His people power, ability that would enable them to live for God in their generation. And they did just that! In fact, Scripture tells us that they turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). In the first century the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ was powerful in spreading the Good News, working all kinds of miracles (Acts 5:12-15) and also effectively living for Christ (Acts 5:13). 

It's very interesting to notice Luke's opening remarks to his friend Theophilus in  Act 1:1  "In the first book, (that's the Gospel of Luke he's referring to Lk. 1:3) O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach", (The accounts recorded in Luke's Gospel are ONLY THE BEGINNING OF JESUS MINISTRY) 

The acts of the Apostles as recorded in the book of Acts is the continued ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, on earth through His anointed and Holy Spirit filled disciples. The actions of these early church Believer's clearly fulfilled the promise given by Jesus in John 14:12 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." The "greater works" referred to here certainly doesn't mean "quality". Jesus wasn't talking about more complete or perfect healings however there's no where in Scripture where people were healed as His shadow pasted over them. This did happen through Peter though. (Acts 5:15) And there's no record of handkerchiefs that Jesus had touched being taken and placed on the sick they were wonderfully healed. This did, however, happen through the Apostle Paul. (Acts 19:12)  

I feel it's important for us to understand that Jesus' purposed for the Church , His spiritual body, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to carry on His ministry. I think it's also very important for us to realize that Jesus' ministry was to accurately represent His Father on earth. Twice Jesus heard these words from heaven, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Mt.3:17 & Mt.17:5) .In the light of this any future revival MUST involve God's people living to please the Lord in thought and action. Anything void of this is simply not fully embracing what the Father envisions for the Church today. 1 Jn. 2:6 - Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.  

Is this too high a standard? Is it out of reach and unrealistic? It's what the Lord envisions for us and therefore is possible through the power (dunamis) of the Holy Spirit. It can happen and it can happen in our generation.