Creating a Model Church E-Book

Bill Vincent

• Herausgeber: RWG Publishing
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

The Church has been spinning out of control for hundreds of years. The current state of the Church is no match for the Early Church. This book is being published in order to restore the Church and to establish a new form of church known as a Prototype.
 
Things don't always turn out the way we expect them to. It doesn't seem to matter how hard we prepare and strategize, keep the chain of command minimal to avoid confusion, work within strict constraints, and generally/specifically stay on top of things. I'm here to inform you that this book is inspired by the Holy Spirit and will undoubtedly stir up some religious debate.
 
Some strange variable that we hadn't expected will enter into the mix and cause havoc.
 
Assume you're in the midst of a full-fledged revival. There has been a great move of God that has shattered all of your comfortable church beliefs and traditions.
The Holy Spirit has instilled in you and your church a strong desire to evangelize and combat demonic forces wherever they may be found.
 
Even the weakest brethren now have considerably more anointing than your most powerful preachers did before the march of God began! Thousands of people are being rescued. Sick people are being healed, demons are being thrown out, and the country is being turned inside out. Are you prepared for a Church like this? I'm here to inform you that today is your day to seize God's intentions for you.
 

Leseprobe

Creating a Model Church: The Church is Undergoing Considerable Upheaval

Bill Vincent

Published by RWG Publishing, 2022.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

CREATING A MODEL CHURCH: THE CHURCH IS UNDERGOING CONSIDERABLE UPHEAVAL

First edition. January 26, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 Bill Vincent.

ISBN: 979-8201885908

Written by Bill Vincent.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Also by Bill Vincent

Building a Prototype Church: Divine Strategies Released

Experience God's Love: By Revival Waves of Glory School of the Supernatural

Glory: Expanding God's Presence

Glory: Increasing God’s Presence

Glory: Kingdom Presence of God

Glory: Pursuing God’s Presence

Glory: Revival Presence of God

Rapture Revelations: Jesus Is Coming

The Prototype Church: Heaven’s Strategies for Today’s Church

The Secret Place of God’s Power

Transitioning Into a Prototype Church: New Church Arising

Spiritual Warfare Made Simple

Aligning With God's Promises

A Closer Relationship With God

Armed for Battle: Spiritual Warfare Battle Commands

Breakthrough of Spiritual Strongholds

Desperate for God's Presence: Understanding Supernatural Atmospheres

Destroying the Jezebel Spirit: How to Overcome the Spirit Before It Destroys You!

Discerning Your Call of God

Glory: Expanding God's Presence: Discover How to Manifest God's Glory

Glory: Kingdom Presence Of God: Secrets to Becoming Ambassadors of Christ

Satan's Open Doors: Access Denied

Spiritual Warfare: The Complete Collection

The War for Spiritual Battles: Identify Satan’s Strategies

Understanding Heaven's Court System: Explosive Life Changing Secrets

A Godly Shaking: Don’t Create Waves

Faith: A Connection of God’s Power

Global Warning: Prophetic Details Revealed

Overcoming Obstacles

Spiritual Leadership: Kingdom Foundation Principles

Glory: Revival Presence of God: Discover How to Release Revival Glory

Increasing Your Prophetic Gift: Developing a Pure Prophetic Flow

Millions of Churches: Why Is the World Going to Hell?

The Supernatural Realm: Discover Heaven's Secrets

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ: Chosen to be Sons of God

Deep Hunger: God Will Change Your Appetite Toward Him

Defeating the Demonic Realm

Glory: Increasing God's Presence: Discover New Waves of God's Glory

Growing In the Prophetic: Developing a Prophetic Voice

Healing After Divorce: Grace, Mercy and Remarriage

Love is Waiting

Awakening of Miracles: Personal Testimonies of God’s Healing Power

Deception and Consequences Revealed: You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Set You Free

Overcoming the Power of Lust

Are You a Follower of Christ: Discover True Salvation

Cover Up and Save Yourself: Revealing Sexy is Not Sexy

Heaven’s Court System: Bringing Justice for All

The Angry Fighter's Story: Harness the Fire Within

The Wrestler: The Pursuit of a Dream

Beginning the Courts of Heaven: Understanding the Basics

Breaking Curses: Legal Rights in the Courts of Heaven

Writing and Publishing a Book: Secrets of a Christian Author

How to Write a Book: Step by Step Guide

The Anointing: Fresh Oil of God's Presence

Spiritual Leadership: Kingdom Foundation Principles Second Edition

The Courts of Heaven: How to Present Your Case

The Jezebel Spirit: Tactics of Jezebel's Control

Heaven's Angels: The Nature and Ranking of Angels

Don't Know What to Do?: Discover Promotion in the Wilderness

Word of the Lord: Prophetic Word for 2020

The Coronavirus Prophecy

Increase Your Anointing: Discover the Supernatural

Apostolic Breakthrough: Birthing God's Purposes

The Healing Power of God: Releasing the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Secret Place of God's Power: Revelations of God's Word

The Rapture: Details of the Second Coming of Christ

Increase of Revelation and Restoration: Reveal, Recover & Restore

Leadership vs Management

Restoration of the Soul: The Presence of God Changes Everything

Building a Prototype Church: The Church is in a Season of Profound of Change

Keys to Receiving Your Miracle: Miracles Happen Today

The Resurrection Power of God: Great Exploits of God

Transitioning to the Prototype Church: The Church is in a Season of Profound of Transition

Waves of Revival: Expect the Unexpected

The Stronghold of Jezebel: A True Story of a Man's Journey

Glory: Pursuing God's Presence: Revealing Secrets

Like a Mighty Rushing Wind

Steps to Revival

Supernatural Power

The Goodness of God

The Secret to Spiritual Strength

The Glorious Church's Birth: Understanding God's Plan For Our Lives

God's Presence Has a Profound Impact On Us

Spiritual Battles of the Mind: When All Hell Breaks Loose, Heaven Sends Help

A Godly Shaking Coming to the Church: Churches are being rerouted

Relationship with God in a New Way

The Spirit of God's Anointing: Using the Holy Spirit's Power in You

The Magnificent Church: God's Power Is Being Manifested

Miracles Are Awakened: Today is a Day of Miracles

Prepared to Fight: The Battle of Deliverance

The Journey of a Faithful: Adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ

Ascension to the Top of Spiritual Mountains: Putting an End to Pain Cycles

After Divorce Recovery: When I Think of Grace, I Think of Mercy and Remarriage

A Greater Sense of God's Presence: Learn How to Make God's Glory Visible

Do Not Allow the Enemy to Steal: To a Crown of Righteousness, a Crown of Thorns

There Are Countless Churches: What is the Cause of Global Doom?

Creating a Model Church: The Church is Undergoing Considerable Upheaval

Developing Your Prophetic Ability: Creating a Flow of Pure Prophetic Intent

Christ's Limitless Riches Are Unsearchable: God Has Chosen Us to Be His Sons

Faith is a Link Between God's Might and Ours

Increasing the Presence of God: The Revival of the End-Times Is Approaching

Getting a Prophecy for Yourself: Unlocking Your Prophecies with Prophetic Keys

Getting Rid of the Jezebel Spirit: Before the Spirit Destroys You, Here's How to Overcome It!

Getting to Know Heaven's Court System: Secrets That Will Change Your Life

God's Resurrected Presence: Revival Glory is Being Released

God's Presence In His Kingdom: Secrets to Becoming Christ's Ambassadors

God’s Healing Ability: The Holy Spirit's Power is Being Released

God’s Power of Resurrection: God's Great Exploits

Heaven's Supreme Court: Providing Equal Justice for All

Increasing God's Presence in Our Lives: God's Glory Has Reached New Heights

Jezebel's Stronghold: This is the Story of an Actual Man's Journey

Making the Shift to the Model Church: The Church Is In the Midst of a Major Shift

Overcoming Lust's Influence: The Way to Victory

Watch for more at Bill Vincent’s site.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Bill Vincent

Creating a Model Church

Change Your Attitude

Honor and Integrity

The Church of the New Era

The Inner Channel is a part of the Inner Channel.

What Are We Bringing Into This World?

Who Are God's Assistants?

Dreams and Dream Interpretation

God is up to something new

Does God Believe in the Same Things You Do?

Shift in Perspective

Leaders who serve others

Dunamis Strength

Healing Is God's Will

Constructing the Kingdom

Fasting Changes People's Lives

Taking Advantage of the Prophetic Gift

Not Sacrifice, but Obedience

Women from the Ministry Make an Appearance

God's Power's Transforming Fire

Prototype Church with a Christ-Centered Focus

The Anointed Eagles are a group of people who have been anointed

The Power of God's Fire

The Anointing of the King

The Kingdom's Mission

Spiritual Aspects

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Also By Bill Vincent

About the Author

About the Publisher

Creating a Model Church

The Church has been spinning out of control for hundreds of years. The current state of the Church is no match for the Early Church. This book is being published in order to restore the Church and to establish a new form of church known as a Prototype.

Things don't always turn out the way we expect them to. It doesn't seem to matter how hard we prepare and strategize, keep the chain of command minimal to avoid confusion, work within strict constraints, and generally/specifically stay on top of things. I'm here to inform you that this book is inspired by the Holy Spirit and will undoubtedly stir up some religious debate.

Some strange variable that we hadn't expected will enter into the mix and cause havoc.

Assume you're in the midst of a full-fledged revival. There has been a great move of God that has shattered all of your comfortable church beliefs and traditions.

The Holy Spirit has instilled in you and your church a strong desire to evangelize and combat demonic forces wherever they may be found.

Even the weakest brethren now have considerably more anointing than your most powerful preachers did before the march of God began! Thousands of people are being rescued. Sick people are being healed, demons are being thrown out, and the country is being turned inside out. Are you prepared for a Church like this? I'm here to inform you that today is your day to seize God's intentions for you.

Those who are not part of this new movement are opposed to it, describing it as a hazardous phenomenon and preaching dire warnings about control, manipulation, and mental illness. Anyone who criticizes this step is attacking the Holy Spirit. It's simple to criticize something you don't fully comprehend. Listen, you must be receptive to what God wishes to do.

The whole thing has riled up the authorities, and there are a number of investigations underway or planned into this alleged new cultic activity.

You've never witnessed such a display of God's power, grace, and holiness all at once. Month by month, the church is outgrowing itself.

Are you prepared for miracles to become routine, and for God's great and incredible presence to be felt everywhere? The team that you are a part of, which is smack dab in the middle of everything, is the most profound experience you have ever had. Of course, there are issues—often significant and time-consuming issues. When you ask for knowledge, though, the anointing to move forward is so strong that godly understanding seems to just pop into your conscious mind.

Oppositions will arise as you progress toward becoming a prototype Church. Every day brings a new set of pressures: more people, more needs, more opposition, more demonic attacks, more misconceptions, calculated misinterpretations, increased responsibilities, additional clerical issues to solve, and increased demands for counsel, leadership, and ministry. Everything is pushed to the edge of human and physical endurance. Revival is one factor that will undoubtedly hasten the completion of the Church. Revival appears to be more concerned with endurance and stamina than with anointing and empowerment. You're under constant attack and blessing; you're exhausted, under pressure, and up against it; you're trying to keep everything running well so that more people can be touched and reached; you're attempting to avoid losing people due to poor organization and mismanagement.

You don't want this movement to sweep across society, affecting thousands of lives, but not result in the construction of a church at the end. It doesn't seem to be slowing down at all! Are you anticipating a fresh move of God?

The demand for more workers, as well as the need to produce leaders and train individuals to look after others, is enormous. You're caught up in the amazing, demanding, taxing mix that is a divine move. The implications and ramifications will be felt by everyone. You don't require this level of stress right now.

All of your prayers have been focused on asking the Lord for wisdom and strength to keep this ship afloat so that the process of soul harvesting might continue without interruption.

This new maneuver has enraged other members of your core squad. Not only will your foes have more ammunition against you as a result of this added pressure, but you will also lose some critical people who want to be a part of this new thing.

Angels, visions, trances, visitations, and audible voices from God are all being reported. The new initiative has become a focal point for dealing with individuals of other religions, whose leaders are now enraged, threatening holy wars and religious persecution. All of this is part of God's plan to reveal the religious goats' hearts as God's glory increases.

The outrage surrounding the piece has grown dramatically. This can't be right, can it? What makes you think this is God? Why, when there are apostles, prophets, and other fivefold ministries functioning together, when millions of people pray daily for wisdom and grace, and when God's might is displayed on every street corner? We implore God to move, but when He does, we are afraid it isn't Him.

Why launch a new God-movement, a new revival, when the current one is completely transforming the world? Why did you pick this specific brother, who isn't known for his calm, sensible reasoning?

Surprisingly, three big events are currently taking place in the world of God's people. To begin with, the word of faith and hope is successfully passed down from one Godly generation to the next—the bedrock of every spiritual experience. Second, this "new" action of the Spirit is producing major issues for the current ecclesiastical establishment, not to mention the secular government. Third, this upstart, audacious, and really dumb new thing is stirring up all the other folks who were ignored by the first new movement of God (revival). Are you perplexed?

I'm working hard to establish a strong basis for this book. Many people are only now getting involved in all of this. If this were to happen, I can only image the outrage. Of course, we are aware that that did occur. Is the biblical story of God's move in Acts 10 supposed to start with God sending an angel to a non-Christian? The most impulsive, reckless, and radical believer—Peter—was then chosen by God to initiate a new move before the existing one was even fully operational.

Trances, visions, audible voices of God, heavenly visitation, unclean interaction with other religions and bogus gods, possible demonic manifestations, and the Holy Spirit falling on people before the message was finished, an appeal delivered, and a response for salvation—all of this had happened! This isn't God at all! Is that correct?

If we examine Jesus' earthly existence closely, we will discover that He would not be recognized as a man of God today. When God manifests Himself in front of us, we as a Church do not recognize Him.

Is it any surprise that those in Jerusalem demanded an explanation? I'm curious how many seminary rules God and Peter breached. What theological reasoning could be used to excuse these heinous acts? What verses from the Bible would be cited? Surely, his reasoning had to be based on more than just his own personal experience: "I was in a trance; I saw a vision; I heard a voice; I went where the voice said I should go; I was in the house of an occultist who had seen an angel; this angel told him about me (I'm not sure why me and not you guys!)." The Holy Spirit descended on them as He had on us while I was explaining the gospel."

Acts 11:4-15 is a passage from the book of Acts. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning and explained it to them by command, saying, "I was praying in the city of Joppa, and in a trance I saw a vision, and in a trance I saw a vision, and in a trance I saw a vision, and in a trance I saw a vision, and in a trance I saw a vision, and in a t A specific vessel descended from heaven, as if it were a large sheet with four sides, and it even arrived to me: I considered and observed four-footed beasts of the land, wild beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air after I had focused my eyes on it. And I heard a voice say, "Arise, Peter, slay and eat." But I replied, "Not so, Lord," for nothing common or unclean had ever entered my mouth. But a voice from heaven said to me again, "What God has cleansed, do not call common." This was repeated three times, and everyone was lifted up into heaven once more. And, lo, three men had already arrived at the home where I was, having been dispatched from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to follow them without hesitation. Furthermore, these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house as follows: And he told us about an angel who appeared to him in his house and said to him, "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall give thee things, by which thou and all thy house shall be saved." As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit descended on them, just as it had on us at the beginning.

Peter concludes his explanation with the following extraordinary words:

11:17 (Acts) What was I, therefore, that I could resist God, inasmuch as he gave them the same gift that he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ?

It's unbelievable, but it's in the Bible!

Thousands of people were entering the Kingdom of God, apostles and prophets were communicating, evangelists were being transported through time and space to meet heavenly appointments to deliver salvation, instructors were educating new converts, and pastors were setting together care and culture systems. The supernatural used to be natural, and it still is. The sick were being laid out in the streets, and the revival activities enthralled society. Nobody dared to join the church because of its bold manifestation of Kingdom life, but thousands did.

Acts 2:41-47 is a passage from the book of Acts. Then those who willingly took his word were baptized, and on the same day about three thousand people were added to them. And they clung to the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, as well as the breaking of bread and prayers. And terror gripped every soul, and the apostles performed numerous miracles and signs. And those who believed were gathered together, and all things were common; and they sold their belongings and goods, and divided them among all men according to their needs. And they ate their meat with happiness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people, as they continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house. And the Lord added to the church every day those who needed to be rescued.

Acts 4:32-37 is a passage from the book of Acts. And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul: none of them claimed ownership of the things that he held; rather, they shared everything. The apostles bore witness to the Lord Jesus' resurrection with tremendous strength, and great grace was upon them all. There was no one who was in need among them, for as many as had lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the items that were sold, and lay them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each according to his need. And Joses, a Levite from Cyprus, who was given the name Barnabas by the apostles (which means "son of consolation"), sold his estate and brought the money to the apostles.

Acts 5:12-16 is a passage from the book of Acts. Many marvels and wonders were worked among the people by the apostles' hands; (and they were all together in Solomon's porch.) And no one dared to join them among the rest, but the people exalted them. And believers, both men and women, were added to the Lord in greater numbers.) So much so that they dragged the sick out into the streets and strewn them about on beds and couches, hoping that the shadow of Peter passing by might at least cover some of them. A multitude also came from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and others who were afflicted by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

For the modern Church, this is the stuff of dreams, representing all we've been praying for and hoping to see. It's what all true intercessors have been pleading for. If only we could have the same issues! Isn't it strange that God wants to undertake a new work yet can't break into the present church structure, given all of the incredible activity in the early Church?

In this current era, we may be able to better comprehend the situation. The early Church was steeped in the revivalist culture and enthusiasm. Why didn't they get internal guidance during their apostolic prayer meetings? The Lord was unable to enter the hearts and minds of the people He was using the most for whatever reason. Even if it is surrounded by spectacular happenings and extraordinary spiritual dynamics, a mind-set is a mind-set. We must adjust our activities to actually agree with this new found prototype, regardless of whether we pretend we agree with it. We'd assume they'd be receptive to every nuance of what the Lord was saying. There's a lesson here for us. There is always something more in the Holy Spirit's action than we are now experiencing, no matter how good we are at hearing the Lord, excellent at obedience and faith, or in tune with the things of God. Layers of bias, concealed mind-sets, and existing behaviors, it appears, can only be broken by God's touch, no matter how open we think we are to God's things.

Recognize that our fleshly nature is getting in the way. It's not in our nature to be able to comprehend new things while still dealing with the effects of current occurrences. We can become self-satisfied with blessings because we are so readily distracted by everything that is going on—much of it, no doubt, beautiful and incredible.

The biggest threat to a new move isn't often the old one that isn't working, but rather the one that is still working and performing well. We can never be pleased with our accomplishments. In the coming season, the current cutting-edge movement will be outmoded. Never stop at one level; instead, keep going to the next and the next.

I don't think we'll see a typical resurgence, sweeping wave that sweeps a country and wipes out everything in its wake. I don't believe there will be a focus on significant, international, and high-profile ministries. I believe it will be a popular uprising. God, I believe, will utilize a nameless, faceless generation of people who are unknown to the rest of the world. It will be a revival akin to Gideon's, led by the least of us who have been profoundly affected.

Consider this: Will God use the high priest, church councils, and major ministries, or will he choose a group of illiterate fisherman and mix in a variety of personalities with various types of educated upbringings?

It will be unique. He will seek for those who have open minds and hearts, and who do not put things into real practice.

He will come to those who recognize that, with all that God has given us and all that He has graciously blessed us with, we must be aware that God will want to accomplish new things that may conflict with what He has previously given us.

This "revival" could be of several types. God simply creates prototypes, the first of many. We create stereotypes, many of which are the same! We create stereotypes because we lack creativity. Because He is so creative, the Lord does not create stereotypes.

To correctly portray the expanse of Heaven and God's creativity, the Body of Christ requires hundreds of thousands of diverse types of churches. We only propagate our own species. We produce dead if we are dead.

God is the Father of Conformity in character. Everyone should strive to be like Jesus. He is the Father of Diversity in terms of creativity, expressing Himself in the Church as fully as He has in creation.

I believe there will be hundreds of revivals, each with its own application and functioning, aiming at different aspects of society and different people groups. More on this will be revealed in my upcoming book, "Glory: Revival Presence of God."

God has a generational bent. "I am Abraham's, Isaac's, and Jacob's God." To release the Caleb anointing, there may be a children's revival, a young people's movement, and a move of the Spirit upon the elderly. It may be found among families, the educated, the impoverished, inmates, businesspeople, the artistic world, politicians, lawyers, and even churchgoers!

Because His own people are too absorbed with what they are doing—or their mind-set is too narrow—to hear what God wants to do next, God has to send an angel to a pious man of a different religion in the midst of revival. For years, the Church has been so closed-minded. In comparison to the Apostles in the New Testament, the faith is a feeble version. Every time I move into a new place, a Church leader tries to persuade people that I have a bad spirit. I'm referring to when miracles, signs, and wonders occur, and people burst out laughing and fall all over themselves trying to deny them.

Change Your Attitude

Our old ways must be replaced by God's new movements. The way we think about the old one is by far the greatest impediment to a fresh move of God. Peter had been raised in a certain way his entire life.

Despite acknowledging God's presence in his response, Peter feels secure enough in his tradition to impede God's cause and defy the Lord's command.

10:14 (Acts) But Peter replied, "Not so, Lord," since he had never eaten anything filthy or common.

When we put tradition first, it becomes bigger than God.

Peter will not be able to step into the new anointing and ministry that God is releasing until he has a change of heart. Each new visitation, as I previously indicated, is accompanied with a revelation of God's principles and a test of His objectives. Many leaders desire everything fresh until it no longer resembles the old.

Everything God does puts our submission and dedication to Him to the test. Can Peter be trusted with God's new initiative? The answer lies in his capacity to break free from a mindset that has ruled his life for a long time.

It's as though God strikes at the very core of our former experience in order to set us free to move in the Spirit in fresh ways. I'm referring to a fundamental practice that was an important part of Peter's upbringing and tradition.

A change of heart was required before engaging in a great new move of God.

"Not so, Lord!" exclaimed Peter. He didn't realize he was living in a new day, a new spiritual era. He'd heard Jesus say several times, "You have heard it said...now I say to you," implying significant shifts in vision and practice. It hadn't factored into any predetermined areas of change, though. Peter had one way of thinking until God commanded a shift in perspective: "Do not regard things this way any longer," the Lord said to Peter.

When the Lord does anything new, He gives His people a fresh mind so that they can submit and participate. A new dimension necessitates a shift in mindset. You must seize this opportunity.

Many churches have expressed dissatisfaction with recent revival efforts. Instead of trusting the Lord to carry out His plan, they chose logic, interpreting Scripture to fit their own mindset and justifying their non-participation. They remarked, "Renewal does not fit in with what God is doing with us." Actually, it was their mindset that was possibly incompatible with God's plan.

It was easier to explain their actions by pointing to phenomena. As we will see as each person's work and life are judged, either in this life or in the next, the Holy Spirit may have a different perspective. Many people, in my experience, make judgments based on the unknown, such as the spiritual realm.

When an angelic visitation and a prophetic word concerning a new son were presented to Zacharias, he refused to change his mind.

1 Kings 1:5-20 There was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the line of Abia, in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both blameless in God's eyes, walking in all of the Lord's commandments and ordinances. They didn't have a kid since Elisabeth was infertile, and they were both well into their senior years. And it came to pass that, while doing the priest's office before God in the order of his course, his lot was to burn incense when he entered the Lord's temple, according to the custom of the priest's office. And during the hour of incense, a large number of individuals were praying without incense. And there appeared to him a Lord's angel standing on the right side of the incense altar. When Zacharias saw him, he was concerned, and he was terrified. But the angel comforted him, saying, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy petition has been heard; and thy wife Elisabeth will carry thee a son, whom you shall name John. And he will bring you joy and gladness, and many people will rejoice at his birth. He will be great in the eyes of the Lord, and he will not consume alcohol or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. And many of Israel's offspring will turn to the Lord, their God. And he will go ahead of him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers toward their children, and the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, to prepare a people for the Lord. Whereby shall I know this? Zacharias asked the angel. I am an elderly man, and my wife is far past her prime. And the angel replied, "I am Gabriel, who stand in God's presence, and am sent to speak to thee, and to shew thee these joyful tidings." And behold, thou shalt be deaf and mute till the day these things are accomplished, because thou hast not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their season.

As a result of his mental and spiritual disobedience and unbelief, he was rendered speechless. When confronted with a heavenly creature who represents Almighty God, the inquiry "How shall I know this?" is exceedingly arrogant.