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“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven
and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated
and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
— Acts 2:1-4; 17-21 (cf. Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 16:18-19)

The church, the body of Christ, needs to go back to its roots if we want to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the society we live in.

So much is shifting in contemporary society, including individual identity crises, marriage breakdowns that are affecting whole families, the Covid-19 pandemic, and fears over the state of the climate.

Our society faces various challenges and people everywhere are looking for answers and solutions. Where can they be found? I believe that the body of Christ has compelling answers to these and many other questions — but only if we return to our roots.

While they were facing an existential threat from Jewish and Gentile opponents alike, around 120 of Jesus’ disciples came together to pray in unison at the time of Pentecost.

Then, Scripture tells us that suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house. What seemed to be tongues of fire came and rested upon each one of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues as the Holy Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by divine empowerment in the lives of the disciples. Their lives were changed forever. And the church of the New Testament was launched, as promised by Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18-19.

I am convinced that Jesus Christ established His church to provide answers and solutions, not just for ourselves, but for society at large (see Matthew 16:18-19). We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is true, whether times are good or our societies pass through the darkest moments in their history.

But a church without the presence of God becomes a mere gathering. Indeed, we can even become part of the problem, rather than the solution that society is searching for.

Jesus warned His disciples not to leave Jerusalem before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — God’s divine presence among His people (Luke 24:49). No one can become a Christian or a child of God without the indwelling and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:8-9, 14-17). Moreover, without the active presence of the Holy Spirit, Christian living and ministry can be challenging and even church gatherings can become a ‘Babel’.

When the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples, there was divine empowerment, both individually and collectively in the body of Christ. Sons and daughters prophesied; young men and women saw visions; old men and women dreamed dreams. Every individual believer was empowered to worship and serve the Lord according their gifts and talents. (See Acts 2:17-21)

The early disciples, who were ordinary men and women empowered by the Holy Spirit, brought forth answers and solutions for their generation. They truly made a difference for the society in which they were living. (Acts 17:6)

Today, if the body of Christ would return to its roots and sought God earnestly in prayer and repentance, I believe our gracious Heavenly Father would pour out His Holy Spirit once again. I believe we would see young men and women empowered prophetically to provide answers for the questions society has, and solutions for the challenges we face. We would also see old men and women bringing wisdom where it is needed. We would see each believer walking in the presence of the Lord 24/7.

Where there is the presence of the Lord, then there is liberty and victory daily in every area of our lives (2 Corinthians 3:17). When we experience this, the Word of God and His promises become active and powerful in our lives (Hebrews 4:12-13). The gift of the Holy Spirit becomes operational to edify and provide solutions for the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is evidence that the risen Lord is among His people. The fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives become a new norm, and are the evidence that the Lord is working both in our lives and the churches. (Galatians 5:19-26)

Right now, there is a great and urgent need for the church to return to its roots, where Jesus Christ is both the Builder and the Head; and where the presence of the Holy Spirit is manifested and actively operational daily.

It is only then the church can start making a difference in society at large. So let us return to our roots!