The early church turned the world upside down—not with strategy or activism, but with the supernatural power of the gospel. This post calls believers to recover what we’ve lost: a deep dependence on the Spirit, not just the system.

A Church Once Full of Fire

The book of Acts gives us a picture of what happens when ordinary people are filled with extraordinary power. There were no marketing teams, no political alliances, and no social campaigns—just men and women whose hearts had been set ablaze by the Holy Spirit.

They preached Christ crucified and risen, and the world changed.
Why? Because the gospel is not an idea to debate—it’s a power to be lived.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
— Romans 1:16, ESV

The early church didn’t rely on influence; they relied on the indwelling Spirit. They didn’t organize to make Christianity relevant—they proclaimed it as reality. And that’s the power we’ve forgotten.

Substituting Power for Performance

Somewhere along the way, we learned how to look alive without actually being alive. We know how to host conferences, post content, and fill pews—but not how to fall on our faces in prayer.

We’ve mastered church growth strategies but neglected spiritual dependence. We’ve built platforms but not altars. We’ve produced events but not endurance.

And the result?
A busy church that is barren of power.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
— Zechariah 4:6, ESV

When the Spirit of God is replaced with the strength of man, what remains may look impressive—but it will never bear eternal fruit.

Returning to the Source

Beloved, we don’t need a new gospel; we need to remember the old one.
The cross still saves. The blood still cleanses. The Spirit still empowers.

But we must come back to the place of humility—to dependence on the power we cannot manufacture. Spiritual renewal begins when we confess that we’ve traded the presence of God for the appearance of success.

If we want to see true revival in our churches and communities, it won’t come through the next initiative or election cycle. It will come when God’s people get low before Him—again.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
— James 4:8, ESV

The Invitation

What would happen if the Black church—and the broader body of Christ—stopped chasing cultural relevance and started seeking spiritual power?

If we would turn our attention from performance to prayer, from applause to adoration, we would recover the holy fire that once turned the world upside down.

The gospel hasn’t lost its power.
We’ve simply lost our dependence on it.

Let’s return.
Let’s remember.
Let’s rekindle the flame.

Soli Deo Gloria.