The Weapons of Our Warfare Class
in England

By Rev. Andrew Bailey

Christian Revival Centre International, South Harrow, UK

One of the things that needs to be mentioned is the unique way things developed in the build up to the conference. It was two years or so ago when the Lord began to work on my heart concerning the gifts of the Spirit. I had seen such abuse of the gift of tongues, and in the so-called healing & deliverance ministry. It reminded me more of Simon in Acts 8, “who made out that himself was some great one,” before he saw the operation of the gifts. So I began to search the scriptures, as Jesus advised the Pharisees and doctors of law.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.(John 5:39)

Too often we accept doctrines and church traditions without checking them out with the scriptures. Soon after this time I met up with Rev. Jerome Lucas and Rev. Tim Sullivan, and from then the Lord has been working, and, the Lord willing, the friendship will continue in Jesus's name.

The conference drew Jerome and me as pastors of different churches to work together. We have different backgrounds and styles, yet we are one in Christ.

The attendance of the conference was good. From the first day, we could sense the Holy Spirit was doing something different. The foundation was being laid, and areas were covered that were not in even in the book The Weapons of Our Warfare. I felt as though the Lord was really speaking to my heart about the ministry I have received from Him, and how on occasions I had shared some of His glory in the works I had seen Him do, and that my weakness was really indeed my strength. This is what Paul said after his experience with a thorn in the flesh:

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

Truly serving the Lord is a training academy, with Jesus as the chief instructor. So much is being said today about having a “life coach.” It is the latest trend in the world, and of course, because of undiscerning leaders, it has found its way into the church. But Jesus is our true Life Coach.

I was really challenged by the seminar; God had really turned the lights on. The beautiful thing about light is that it does not wrestle with darkness; it dispels it. I felt that many of the modern doctrines and private interpretations concerning the Lord and the working of His Spirit were being dispelled by truth. Hallelujah!

Many of my church members have commented on how encouraged they were by the conference. One even said that he had never heard the gifts taught in this way before. As Jesus said in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” God Bless you!

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From the May 2006 edition of the Vine & Branches