INTRODUCTION

The book of Acts reads better than any modern novel. It has clearly defined characters–some in leading roles and others as supporting cast. It has action, adventure, triumph and tragedy. The scenes change from Jerusalem to Damascus to Antioch to Rome, from prison cells to shipwrecks. We encounter the wind of the Holy Spirit and the emboldened peasant apostles who moved in phenomenal miracles and baffled government leaders of their day. However, these great apostles were not always distinguished nor did they always act nobly.

I was startled when I read in Mark 16:8 that the disciples, before Jesus ascended to heaven, did not believe. The same unbelief is found in Mark 16:11. Then, two verses later in verse 13, the same four words– they did not believe. Again, in verse 14, the same four words–they did not believe. They were a bunch of unbelievers! But what amazes me most is the fact that in the next verse, verse 15, Jesus said to these unbelieving and fearful believers, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” If I had been there, please allow me to say this, I would have approached Jesus from behind and whispered into His ear, “Master, Lord, don’t You know that the disciples You just gave the Supreme Commission to are a bunch of unbelievers? They will never be able to do it.” I think Jesus would have turned around, put His finger over His lips and said quietly to me, “Bonnke, you don’t know that I have a secret.”

What was the secret? Something happened between verse 14 and verse 20. In verse 20, we read, “They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the accompanying signs, Amen.” What happened between verse 14 and verse 20? Chronologically, Acts Chapter 2 happened. The disciples walked out of weakness and arrived at the power to do what Jesus had commissioned them to execute after He ascended to heaven: “But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In the same way, we all can leave weakness and step into unending power.

Power is the essence of the Christian witness. It is not a Gospel accessory. It is not the bell on a bicycle–it is the whole machine! There is never the slightest hint that some disciples would be powerless. To be blunt, Christianity is either supernatural or nothing at all. We had–and still have–a supernatural Jesus, with a supernatural ministry, creating a supernatural Church, with a supernatural Gospel and a supernatural Bible. Take the miraculous away and you have taken Christianity’s life away. The Church becomes an ethical society or a social club when it is intended to be the grid system for transmitting the power of God into this powerless world. You and I are conductors of God’s power to the world!

The Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Christ’s redeeming love are inseparably tied together in the bundle of life. If you want to see the power of God, then ignore all the techniques, manipulation and psycho-suggestion and simply preach the Word! That is where the power of God is released–right in the Gospel. I do not take only one thing out of God’s treasure chest. I proclaim the whole Gospel, which contains everything that we human beings need–salvation, forgiveness, healing peace, hope and deliverance.

I have penned some strong teachings on the Holy Spirit for you, and I have put together some dynamic Points of Power on the Holy Spirit (FIRE POINTS). I want to challenge your thinking on the Holy Spirit and inspire you to believe in the amazing power of the Spirit within you. There is a dynamic, dead-raising power on the inside of you. God has made it available to every believer. There is no excuse for weakness against sin or evil. After all, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

To tell you the truth, this book summarizes the secrets of my life and ministry. I know for sure, if you apply these principles, they will do the same for you.

Multitudes have been baptized in the Holy Spirit during our Gospel campaigns, and we regularly witness mighty manifestations of the power and love of God. I want to explain the understanding that I have gained from these events. My final authority is always the Bible. Certainly, experience has helped me to grasp the things of the Spirit, but as Peter wrote, God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Scripture validates experience. In sharing my understanding of the things of the Spirit, I try to show that my conclusions are arrived at through the Word, illuminated by what I have seen.