Time for Church!

When Solomon dedicated the Temple of God by prayer, fire came down from heaven consuming the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. The sacrifices he offered were acceptable to God.

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV

When Jesus’ disciples were praying, cloven tongues like as of fire sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. They were living sacrifices acceptable to God. He consumed them with the fire of His Spirit. The sign of His acceptance was their speaking in tongues as His Spirit gave them utterance.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2-4 KJV

John the Baptist foretold of this.

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" - Matthew 3:11 KJV

What made Jesus’ disciples acceptable sacrifices?

Those in the upper room were all baptized in Jesus name. Jesus is our Heavenly Father that came in the form of man to be our acceptable sacrifice for our sin. Jesus was born without sin.

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." - 1 John 3:5 KJV

When we repent of our sins and are baptized in Jesus name, we become an acceptable sacrifice, because Jesus, our acceptable sacrifice, has taken away our sins.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29 KJV

Because the blood of Jesus applied to our life through Jesus’ name in water baptism has remitted our sins, we have the promise of the gift of His Spirit.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

We become a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.

We become lively stones, a spiritual house of God’s name and Spirit, His holy priesthood of saints.

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5 KJV

By presenting ourselves to God with repentance from the world, baptized in His name, and filled with His Spirit, we are a living sacrifice to Him, holy, and acceptable to Him, which is true worship.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1 KJV

Another translation –

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." - Romans 12:1 NLT

So let’s have church! Time to worship Jesus and be consumed with the fire of the Holy Ghost!