Right now I’m reading Visions Beyond the Veil by R.A. Baker. The book recounts an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit that happened among a group of street children in a mission in China during the early part of the 20th century.  Baker was the grandfather of Rolland Baker of IRIS Ministries fame.

As I read through the introduction I watched Mr. Baker defend the legitimacy of the supernatural encounters these children were having.  I’m absolutely certain this was necessary, especially considering it had been a very short time since the things of the Spirit had gained any widespread acceptance.  So when I saw this quote I had to share it.  I think his words are as challenging and relevant today as they were then:

“Our Lord has gone.  Where, oh, where is the Holy Spirit that has come to take His place; to carry on His uncompleted task; to work in the midst of His church in signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit?  Has God died? If so, when? […] After all, is the Holy Spirit, this great power of Christ, the Christ whose words the wind and waves obeyed, whose words burst tombs, is this Great Substitute just a gentle influence? Where is the Holy Spirit Who shook and filled a whole house of praying disciples and through them shook a world?

These trances, visions, revelations, and supernatural manifestations are normal experiences in the supernaturally founded, supernaturally filled, and supernaturally directed Church of the New Testament, the only church the Bible tells or fortells anything about.” [Emphasis Mine]

What are your thoughts? Have you seen a church that looks like this? Share an experience in the comments below.

Photo Credit: I HOPE THIS DOESN’T MEAN THEIR ARE NO MIRACLES LEFT…! by JOPHIELsmiles