The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the beginning of the church. Today we observe a great disappointment among the Christians in the churches. Many even withdraw from their churches. They think they can do without the church. I think it is necessary to ask: What is the will of Jesus Christ for the church? Can you help me to find an answer to this question?

     It is clear that the Lord Jesus Christ wants not only the salvation of the individual, but that He wants to build His church.

     When Peter made the great confession given to him by the Holy Spirit: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," (Matt. 16:16) Jesus answered: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18)

     Jesus Christ wants to build His church on the one foundation which He is Himself. He is the Rock of Ages, and Peter is hewn out of this Rock.

     Jesus Christ wants the church today as the spiritual sanctuary on this earth. It is built of all the true believers as the living stones, upon the foundation, which is Jesus Christ.

     How we need this sanctuary as a living testimony of Jesus Christ in our times.

     Every true believer is a part of this true church. Paul says: "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." (I Cor. 12:13)

     Are you a child of God? Then you belong to His church and that is a great privilege for us. Therefore, we must join a Bible-believing church, where we find spiritual fellowship, and opportunities to work for Christ.

     We are living in a time of divisions in the churches on one hand, and on the other hand, we see great movements trying to unite all churches by world-wide organizations. In the midst of all these human efforts it is very difficult to find the true church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should show to all Christians today:

     What does the New Testament say about the true church? And where do we find it?

     The true church is there where the Holy Spirit is. He came at Pentecost to live in the hearts of those who became children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.

     Jesus speaks about the secret of the true church, saying: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20) Gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ is really the foundation of the true church. Then, of course, the church began, when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, and we read: "They were all with one accord in one place," (Acts 2:1) "and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:4)

     The Holy Spirit on that day joined 120 people to a new organism, called the church which is the body of Christ; He Himself being the Head. The true church is one in Christ by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

     When these true believers come together, they form the local or visible church. The New Testament speaks about these local churches, and the Exalted Christ speaks to visible churches in Asia Minor as John reports to us in the Book of Revelation. But there is a great difference between the true church and any local church. The true church has no boundaries and is not temporary but eternal. The visible churches have only value in the measure that there are true believers in their midst, members of the living body of Christ.

     We may compare it with a nut: the kernel bears life, but it grows in the shell until the time of harvest, when the shell breaks and the kernel is revealed. We are working too much today to conserve the shell, and too little care for the living kernel.

     We find the true church there where the model of the first church is fulfilled by the working of the Holy Spirit: "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

     We all are longing for something new in our churches, for the rushing wind of the Holy Spirit coming over us, and for the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Do you think that a revival is possible in our time, and how can it come to pass?

     It is true that the church needs more power today for the great task given to her in our time. Why does she lack power? Because the Holy Spirit has not His rightful place in many believers. He is not the Lord of their life, so many who believe in Christ are not fulfilled with the Holy Spirit. This is not the will of God. Therefore, we need to repent and to ask the Lord for a true revival among the believers.

     It is possible, and it is necessary, and the Lord wants to give it, but do we fulfill the conditions given already to the nation of Israel? The Lord says: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Weaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land." (II Chr. 7:14)

     The Lord is faithful. He will fulfill His promise, also today in His church, if we are ready to meet the conditions.