When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples He gave them specific instructions concerning their new ministry. 

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”— Matthew 10:8 (NKJV)

It was a sad and shameful day when the “Church,” or at least the majority of it, came to a crossroads and decided to take the left and the right instead of marching ahead on its intended course. That choice, coming not in a moment, but over a great while, was the beginning of the demise of all those denominations that made this decision. The decision was a choice between Holiness on one hand and Power on the other, as opposed to the original inseparable combination of Holiness and Power. In making such a move, the majority of the Church effectively divorced itself from its God-given mandate to reach the world for Jesus. 

From its beginning in Acts 2, the Church was commissioned to go forth with Holiness and Power, those who had followed Jesus while He was alive now followed Him as resurrected Lord. They followed His model and preached and taught aided by the Holy Spirit’s Power given on the day of Pentecost. This Power was given to those who were of one accord with Jesus and His teachings and who lived according to those words.

How sad it is that today there are “Holiness” denominations, and there are “Power” denominations, but precious few who practice the God-ordained combination.

Sad because an attempt at Holiness without the Power of The Holy Spirit results in legalism and Pharisee-ism, and its adherents often become hard-hearted and self-righteous toward those who do not follow their school of thought. Equally sad are those who attempt to live with Power and disregard the need and the command from God to be Holy. 

Sadder still are those Churches and people who practice neither. They use the excuse that “no one but God can be Holy, so we can’t be Holy” (heresy — 1 Peter 1:13-16) and “the Power Gifts died with the Apostles” (also heresy — Matthew 10:8, 28:19-20) as an excuse to simply do nothing.

What a world changing institution the Church would be if it returned to God’s original design of the simple Gospel message presented by Holy men and women of God empowered by God the Holy Spirit to bring true healing and deliverance.

Rev. Bobby Thornhill is a retired pastor.