When a church has unity and purity, that church can reach the world through effective evangelism that surges with power from God. We see that the hands of the apostles wrought many signs and wonders among the people and their preaching was confirmed as miracles began to happen. Acts 5:15-16 says in part that, “. . . they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them; and multitudes came out of cities unto Jerusalem, bringing sick and vexed people with unclean spirits, and  everyone them were healed.”  That’s how much people believed in the power that the apostles had. What drew people to this church was the power that was so evident because the apostles were pure and they had unity among them according to Acts 5:12 “. . . and they were all with one accord . . .”

Now a pure and powerful church is going to make waves in the system which brings us to a fifth key of effective evangelism, persecution. Remember the first four keys we previously discussed are 1) unity, 2) purity, 3) power, 4) signs, wonders and miracles. Christians should know that Satan is considered the prince of the world. Satan at one time was an angel by the name of Lucifer who thought he’d like to be equal with God or better and so he pulled off a rebellion in heaven and convinced one-third of the angels to fall and go with him according to Revelation 12. God threw Satan and his one-third of former angels (now called demons) out of Heaven and they became antagonist of God and still are working against God. The earth at the present time is in the hands of Satan and the earthly systems are controlled by Satan. He is the prince of the air who governs the world and the Bible calls him the ruler of this world. Therefore, anyone who lives in this world apart from Jesus Christ is one of Satan’s people at one level or another.

As Satan was against God from the very start, even before Adam and Eve, the demons war against the holy angels, holy men against evil men, and the same kind of war is going on all the time. When a church with unity and purity comes along with great power and starts ripping off people from Satan, then Satan gets irritated. He’s trying to salvage his authority and hang on to his rebellion at some level. He’s already been booted out of heaven because of his original rebellion and earth is his domain. He’s trying to capture the earth and everybody in it, including Christians.  Satan also moves in powerful churches where people keep getting saved, healed and delivered.  Powerful churches are going to have persecution. When you irritate Satan’s system, the system reacts. It’s interesting that the only Christians who make waves and the only churches that make waves are the successful ones. Failures don’t even create ripples in the system. If you’re going to make waves in the world and irritate Satan, you can count on one thing: persecution. Satan is going to come after you. Christians can be assured that everything Satan does, God will undo and vice-versa; and God will turn everything to His glory. But persecution will come to those who live a holy life. [To be continued.]