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It took an uneducated disciple only a couple of sermons to reach 3,000 souls. Today, it seems to take 3,000 sermons from educated preachers to save just a few. Why does the church of our time struggle to achieve what was once accomplished so swiftly and powerfully?
On the day of Pentecost, the most significant miracle was not simply the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, though that was essential. Rather, the true miracle was that “they that gladly received the Word were baptized, and about 3,000 souls were added that day”. The Spirit’s descent was critical, yes, but its true value lay in transforming lives. Without those transformations, the event might have amounted to little more than an inspiring gathering. Perhaps people would have shared testimonies, speaking in tongues, and later gone home saying, “Didn’t we have a wonderful time in fellowship this morning? What a great crowd!” Many churches today would be content with that, satisfied with the attendance and the experience, while missing the heart of the Spirit’s work and what it was intended to accomplish.
The church seems to be repeating this very mistake. Many modern congregations have lost sight of why they exist and for what purpose they were empowered. It seems as though church leaders are playing with the power of the Spirit like children handling dynamite—having a "good time" in the Lord but failing to move people toward salvation. For all the spiritual experiences and the emotionally charged gatherings, where are the transformed lives? Where is the evidence of salvation, the tangible fruit of the Spirit’s work?
Denominationalism and materialism have eroded the foundation on which Christ’s doctrines and teachings were laid. The Word has been condensed, processed, and stripped down to a version that seems “sufficient” but falls short of its full power. Consequently, churches have dried up spiritually, becoming shells of what they once were—beautiful on the outside but hollow within, filled with tradition but lacking transformation. The buildings, vibrant in appearance, are spiritually dormant, and the people within them—once spiritually alive—are fading in their faith. The outpouring of the Spirit is no longer visible in actions, nor is it stirring the hearts of the congregation as it once did.
We now see majestic, elaborate church buildings rising across cities and communities—symbols of faith and tradition but often at the expense of “plenty of souls” and a costly investment in everything except spiritual vitality. The declarations of “success” ring out: “We have a beautiful building now, a large congregation, substantial finances, and all the material blessings. We’ve made it!” Yet these achievements seem hollow when compared to the humble power of the early church. This growth often stems from generational inheritance rather than true evangelistic outreach; families grow within the church, but there is little growth in new, transformed lives.
Decades ago, many of our church leaders found salvation, and their children and grandchildren fill the pews now. Yet this growth appears more like a process of physical multiplication—a large family gathering—than spiritual revival. There is little to show of new souls saved, of fresh faith born, of lives genuinely changed.
If we are to rediscover the purpose of Pentecost, we must remember that it was not about numbers or buildings or the appearance of prosperity. The Spirit’s outpouring was given for transformation, for salvation, for the undeniable impact of God on human lives. Today’s church has the same power, but perhaps it has forgotten its purpose. Let us rekindle that purpose, rediscover that power, and once again make room for the Spirit to truly transform lives. Without that, we risk having beautiful buildings filled with people—yet empty of the Spirit that once saved 3,000 souls in a single day.
Thank you.
A. Anato Swu