ACTS AUDIT PROGRAM

AP 1) THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT

The purpose of this audit program is to:

Determine the importance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit as part of the churches’ mission.
Determine whether or not the church actually actively looks into how effectively they provide and environment for the baptism in the Holy Spirit to take place.
To assess performance in regard to 1) and 2) above.

Background:

Jesus explains very clearly that the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is about empowered witness. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts1:8) This was the foundational experience to the miraculous events within the book of Acts that would change the whole world. This empowerment is also the foundational experience for church growth. It follows the pattern mentioned in John when the disciples received the Holy Spirit on the first day of the resurrection and then were baptised in the Holy Spirit some 49 days later on the day of Pentecost. As a foundational Christian experience, it is extremely important for churches to review their operations and commitment to the teaching and practice of this important doctrine. Doctrine determines practice, practice determines effectiveness.
At His final staff meeting prior to being taken up into heaven in a cloud, Jesus said this to His disciples, “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5) We know He said this to them on the 40th day after the resurrection because we are told Jesus appeared to them over a forty day period. This was the last recorded physical meeting with His disciples.
The words of Jesus about empowerment were true because we see on the day of Pentecost 3,000 souls added to them. (Acts 2:41)
The specific mention of the baptism in the Holy Spirit taking place is on the day of Pentecost. “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

AP1 THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

1:1 Starting with the oversight of the church, then asking your church members:

Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit is available to all believers, or was it dispensational for the time of the first disciples only? (Don’t assume anything ask them)

Is there a difference between receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptised in the Holy Spirit? Yes, or No? (Don’t assume anything ask them).

Are the experiences of receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit and the baptism in the Holy Spirit mutually exclusive? That is are they independent and separate from each other?

What is the purpose of the seal of the Holy Spirit and when is it received?

What is the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? When is it received?
1:2 Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit encouraged in your church?

1:3 Do people speak/pray in tongues in your church? When is this encouraged in your Church?

1:4 To your knowledge, who was the last new person, baptised in the Holy Spirit in your church and when did this take place? Ask to find out.

1:5 If the baptism in the Holy Spirit is encouraged, how does the church provide an environment for the Promise of the Father to take place?

1:6 Do you conduct any workshops or study for those who would like to be baptised in the Holy Spirit? When did this last take place?

1:7 Over the last year how many times was the baptism in the Holy Spirit preached and when?

1:8 How many times over the year was an invitation issued for people to be baptised in the Holy Spirit?

1:9 Describe the empowered witness that has taken place in your church in the last week; month and year. Explain the basis as to why you consider this to be empowered witness. Use Acts 2:41 as a possible guide.

1:10 What percentage of your congregation would you say believes that they have been baptised in the Holy Spirit? What is the basis for your estimated percentage or how did you arrive at that conclusion?

1:11 In what areas of church ministry does the baptism in the Holy Spirit take place? (E.g. home fellowship groups, childrens' ministry, church services)

1:12 After people have been baptised in the Holy Spirit: In what ways does the church encourage witness?

a) Don’t just assume that a)everyone is doing it. Perhaps this isn’t happening.

b) Does the church leadership actually look into how its’ members reach out into the community both individually and corporately?

c) How does the church release people to witness? d) How many corporate events actually target evangelism both inside and

outside the church?

d) How many church members have successfully brought non-Christians to a church service over the last year

1:13 If the answer to 1:12 is simply telling them to go and do it, is that an appropriate response?

1:14 Write a report on your findings. Is there anything that could be done better? What changes do you see yourself making?

APPENDIX 1:

If you had to assess the performance of your church what indicators and tests would you apply? I have taken the benchmark of the book of Acts as a source of direction and questions. What I have compiled isn’t an extensive list and no doubt you will be able to add to more to them. More than likely they will make you squirm and feel uncomfortable. I know that’s how I feel when I apply them to my personal ministry. It’s even o.k. to disagree with them but my prayer is that they will stir changes in you and incite you to more fruitfulness in Christ.

The purpose of an audit program is to help the end user remove bias from his method of testing and to apply a more complete set of tests to form an audit opinion. Most churches have team meetings to review and assess the effectiveness of their operations. It can feel unpleasant when a person’s work is under review but we are all stewards of what God has entrusted us with. It is hoped that a church applying these tests will do so with the complete love of Christ as the motivation and manner in which they are conducted. Two different types of audit can be used. Some entities actually use both internal and external auditors. Internal audits usually reduce the cost of an external audit because the auditors can rely on their work. Churches will often use respected men and women of God to review how they fulfil their ministry.

There are two main reports associated with an audit. One is the independent audit report which expresses an opinion on the operations and the second is the management report which seeks to highlight the deficiencies found by the auditor and his recommendations used to enhance the entities performance, minimise noted weaknesses and maximise existing strengths.

Happy squirming (I mean reading wink).