Nine Significant Features of the Chinese House Church

 

2. The Influence of Mao Zedong

Despite all his anti-Christian propaganda, hideous orders of destruction upon the church, and systematic attacks on Christian beliefs, Mao Zedong undeniably put into place the very factors needed to assist, nurture, and facilitate the growth of the world’s largest revival.

First, he insisted that everyone in the country become responsible for the sins of his or her neighbors. Everyone was accountable to know if the neighbors were involved in foul play—creating a very transparent society. Confession sessions were arranged for the Chinese to come forward with valuable, incriminating information about themselves or their neighbors.

According to Mao Zedong, you are your brother’s keeper. The confession sessions were implemented to create an atmosphere where no one would ever attempt to go against the Communist Party for fear of being caught by family, friends, or neighbors who, in turn, were afraid not to report an illegal activity for fear that they, too, would get into trouble. Yet this atmosphere actually created the perfect environment for healings and other miracles of God to be witnessed and shared. In such a confessional society, news spread very quickly—even the good news of Jesus.

Mao also standardized the Mandarin language for everyone in China, enabling believers to spread the gospel to many people without the need to learn other languages. This policy removed a huge barrier that hadn’t previously been possible to overcome.

Mao also connected the country with a road and railway system that allowed missionaries and evangelists to travel around quickly, preaching the Word of God to everyone who would listen. The development of the transportation system permitted the gospel to spread through, and between, provinces faster than ever before.

 

3. The Presence of Miracles

As we explored the roots of the House Church revivals, we noted that the Chinese church had a serious lack of Bibles, competent teachers, Christian materials, and other resources traditionally utilized to share the Word. One thing that was not lacking, however, was God’s presence. His fingerprints can be found all over the churches in Henan and Anhui, where many people were healed and witnessed miracles.

It is easy to deny rational teachings and moving speeches, or to respond cynically to a religious book, but it is much more difficult to deny the power of God in action. It is also much harder to deny a God who answers desperate prayers when every other option has been exhausted and there is no other hope. Those Chinese who were dying from disease and starvation had no one to turn to for help. The sick had no places to go for treatment. Many of them looked to Jesus as a last resort and found mercy, rest, and supernatural healing through God’s power.

Tags: chinese, church, featured, house

Category: Church History, Spring 2018