An interesting study is to look at a time line of the book of Acts. It tells the highlights of what happened in Acts and puts them into proper perspective. What I found interesting is how much of what happened then happened in the first couple of years after Christ rose from the dead. Real revival always starts with an explosion of activity and results. There is no other time in the book of acts where so much happened in such a short time.
Acts chapters 1-5 all happen in year one after the resurrection of Christ. The ascension, Pentecost, Ananias and Sapphira, and thousands saved. This was a work of the Holy Spirit, not a result of big outreaches. New converts make the best evangelists.
Saul got saved in year 4. Peter preached to Cornelius in year 7. And the apostle Paul sailed for Rome in year 32.
It is not until chapter 6, and the persecution brought on by Saul, that the saints spread outside of their home town of Jerusalem preaching as they fled. That was in year 2.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the This is That event, happened in year 1 and never happened again.
After Christ ascension into heaven, the apostles busied themselves with taking care of the masses of new converts. It was not until Paul began his missionary journey in year 18 that any smidgen of activity emerged again.
Real revival is exciting at the beginning but it turns into a lot of work later on. The whole book of Acts covers 32 years. The exciting part happened in the first 2 years. Think about what I'm saying.
A lot goes on in a thriving church for sure. There is a lot of work to be done. God is still active. But the pedal to the metal, all hands on deck time is very short.
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