Though our efforts to restore New Testament Christianity is a noble task, we will never see it done by only studying, analyzing, outlining, or setting to memory the Book of Acts. Preaching will never fulfill this spiritual dream unless we learn to preach what they preached in the Book of Acts. So return to Luke's record of the sermons and testimonies and you will find that the power was in preaching "Christ, his death, burial and resurrection." The true power to live in Christ" and "for Christ" is found in those who fall in love "with Christ" Doctrine is not the power that regenerates the soul, the power is in and through the "operation of God" (Colossians 2:12) in a spiritual rebirth (John 3:1-8). When one falls in love with Jesus the Christ, the death, burial and resurrection are re-enacted in the "birth" action of baptism (Romans 6:1-4). Baptism is not what you preach; to the contrary, it is what you tell those who hear the true story of Jesus and cry out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:26). Baptism (immersion) is the first command for the penitent believer (Acts 2:38). The death, burial and resurrection is a "form" repeated in one who dies to sin (the principle of sin), who is buried with his Lord in a grave of water, and is raised (resurrected) to walk in newness of life. The new life "in Christ" is a never-ending, ever learning and on-going development toward sanctification and holiness.

Now what do you suppose would happen if, in 1995, every sermon and every Bible class study, from toddlers to the aged, would center on "The Life of Jesus Christ"? In every congregation during the coming year there would be 104 sermons and untold numbers of class lessons which would refocus on the marvelous prophecies, the wondrous names, the incarnation, the earthly family, the cousin John, the early life, the powerful teachings, the sinless personality, the disciples/apostles, the miracles, the parables, the last supper, the garden, the mock trials, Barabbas, the crucifixion, the burial, the sealed tomb, the resurrection, the immutable evidence, the ascension, the promised second coming, the reigning King, his power to mediate, to judge, to redeem and forgive.

Several years ago Charles Hodge presented 104 lessons on "The Life of Christ." Later, he wrote these words to me, "I have rediscovered my Lord; I have rediscovered the power." What would happen to our brotherhood if we "rediscovered our Lord"? Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me, and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life" (John 5:39 - 40).

A number of years ago I was invited to speak in one of our large church camps. It was a planned retreat for men (mainly church leaders). I asked for words (action verbs, important nouns) that are important to us and our religious thought. As they were called out from the audience, I wrote them on the blackboard. "God . . . Baptism . . . Church . . . Attendance . . . Prayer . . . Jesus . . . The Lord's Supper . . . Grace . . . Obedience . . . and The Holy Spirit. These were the first to be called out, and while hundreds of words could have been supplied, I stopped with just ten. "Which of these do we believe in?" I asked (somewhat tongue-in-cheek). They looked at me and their faces said, "Aw, come on Bro. Jack, we believe them all:' I paused a long moment, then asked the real question, "Which of these do we emphasize?" They looked stunned and at first had no answer. Since it was a very informal setting, they began to caucus. Then general agreement occurred. "Church is number One!" "Two is Baptism:' "Attendance is number three:' "The Lord's Supper is number four and Obedience is number five!"

A shocked silence fell on the group (including me) when I said rather sadly, "Jesus didn't even make the top five!!! One called out, "Jesus is number ~ix;' and another added, "God is number seven." The list was finished in this order: Prayer-number eight, Holy Spirit-number nine and Grace was tenth.

In all fairness to the group, we were all rather shaken. It was not a trick, it was a "pop-quiz." It is the kind of test that is real because it is a reaction. No one had prepared for it, or thought it out ahead of time. It was honest to the core and would probably "wash" across our brotherhood.

All believers would agree that the ten words supplied are important, and somewhat catalytic in the way we think. After all, we are "people of the Book, who love the Word of God:' Yet Jesus taught that the first commandment (number one) is "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37). This comes before "Church, Baptism, Attendance, Lord's Supper and Obedience." In fact, the love of God (Christ, Holy Spirit) is the power that gives meaning and life to those terms. Do we have a "form" without the power? Have we lost our way by failing to focus on the power of God's Spirit in us? Have we placed our faith in what we are doing rather than in what God and His Son Jesus did for us? Have we "begun in the Spirit and are now made prefect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3).

The question is not believing. I have yet to meet a believer who does not believe in praying, in the Holy Spirit and grace. Yet, when these are number eight, nine and ten on a list of ten, our focus and emphasis have gone awry.

Our emphasis becomes our message and our message becomes our gospel! If our primary emphasis is "CHURCH;' then that becomes our message and we preach the "Gospel of the Church." If baptism is our focus, then baptism becomes our message and we preach the "Gospel of Baptism:' If Jesus Christ is the core-center of our teaching, then Jesus becomes our message and we begin to proclaim the "Gospel (Good News) of Jesus the Christ:' It is the Gospel that has within it the power to save (Romans 1:16). When one falls in love with the beauty, the wonder, the marvel and power of Jesus the Anointed One, and is regenerated spiritually in the new birth, he has a lifetime to love and learn all the teachings of his Master.

In a recent chat with a very successful soul-winner, her secret was revealed. She said, "We study the life of Christ in the Book of John, and you know, it isn't long before they ask me, 'How can I become a Christian?'"

Soon I return to Russia and Ukraine. I will, as in years past, take simple lessons on "The Life Of Christ;' and also as in years past, I expect the same results: you just cannot keep them out of the Dneipper River.

In 1995, the question that I believe faces the church of our Lord Jesus Christ is simple -- "Can we rediscover the Master?"