What happens if there’s no religious system?

“A revival almost always begins among the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated as a rule to desire innovation that might require sacrifice on their part. And God’s fire only falls on sacrifice. An empty altar receives no fire. Cold intellectualism, formal ecclesiasticism, and priestly domination are altogether outside the genius of the Gospel.”

– Frank Bartleman : “The Azusa Street Revival” 1906

http://fleebabylon.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/what-if-every-aog-member/

Good little article and good questions.

What happens if there’s no religious system? Usually, nothing. And that is why the system exists. Christians have been conditioned into being organized into action by someone they see as a spiritual authority. To organically fellowship and function together without an “authorized” person to lead them is virtually unknown.

So the system creates ignorance and then feeds off that ignorance and finds it self-justification from that ignorance of God’s ways and of Godly authority.

But it is possible for God to break thru this vicious cycle – this closed loop, and it requires laying down our lives for a few brethren and faithfully serving them, teaching and praying for them until they see the Kingdom and their place in it.

2 Responses to “What happens if there’s no religious system?”

  1. ian vincent Says:

    Worship at 312 Azusa Street was frequent and spontaneous with services going almost around the clock. Among those attracted to the revival were not only members of the Holiness Movement, but also Baptists, Mennonites, Quakers, and Presbyterians.[15] An observer at one of the services wrote these words:

    No instruments of music are used. None are needed. No choir- the angels have been heard by some in the spirit. No collections are taken. No bills have been posted to advertise the meetings. No church organization is back of it. All who are in touch with God realize as soon as they enter the meetings that the Holy Ghost is the leader.[8]

    Proud, well-dressed preachers came to ‘investigate’. Soon their high looks were replaced with wonder, then conviction comes, and very often you will find them in a short time wallowing on the dirty floor, asking God to forgive them and make them as little children.[9]

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azusa_Street_Revival

  2. Jesus Wins Says:

    If only we can get this truth into the heads, hearts and spirits of those in the pews.

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