Jesus' Witnesses To The Uttermost Parts of the World - Part 716

While some believe that Jesus' good news ministry of the Kingdom ended with His humanity dying on the cross, the truth is that Jesus continued His ministry up until the day of His ascension. Throughout the New Testament, the scriptures share how Jesus appeared unto His apostles. Not only was the Word confirmed but herein Jesus ministered to His chosen apostles -- those believers in Jesus who were destined to be His witnesses, even to the uttermost parts of the earth. 

It all began in Acts chapter two when 120 people gathered together in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. Therein, the group began to speak in an unknown tongue -- a heavenly language -- that observers heard and understood in their own native language. When the multitude who had gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost heard the strange tongues, they initially thought that these men were drunk. At this point, the miracle for those questioning what was transpiring was that the words spoken by Peter and the others were miraculously changed into other languages. Note that by this time, many of the folks who had gathered in that room for the feast spoke a different dialect.

As revealed in Acts, Peter (standing with the eleven) began speaking. The message that Peter spoke was an interpretation of the unknown heavenly tongue. So in effect, Peter's message was a direct message from the Holy Spirit of God to the people in the crowd. As a consequence, many in the upper room believed and were convicted in their personal conscience, that they had crucified not just a man. Rather, when they crucified Jesus, their hearts were convicted of Jesus' supreme and absolute authority. Indeed, as we know now,  Jesus was the Lord Himself -- the Lord of Glory -- the King of kings. 

In recognizing their actions, members of this audience were so convicted in their hearts that they cried out to the Apostles, "Men and brethren, what must we do?" The intensity of their plight filled the atmosphere. Peter replied saying each and every one of them should repent and be baptized into the name of Jesus the Christ for the remission of their sin and by so doing they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell them. 

From this first day forward, these believers continued steadfastly in the teaching of the Holy Spirit of Jesus. Why? Because they recognized that the message being delivered to them was from Jesus through His chosen apostles. The Holy Spirit confirmed the words spoken, with the Lord adding believers to His church daily! 

As we read then, the first believers continued steadfastly in the Holy Spirit teachings. So we must ask the question here. Have you obediently obeyed the Holy Spirit directives or are you being misled by self-appointed men who long time ago abandoned Jesus' teachings?Remember, the Word of God does not come from you or I. Indeed, we receive the engrafted Word with meekness. 

Although this was only the beginning of the body of Christ being established, we are reminded of God’s ultimate promise that salvation and grace extend to both their/our children and grandchildren, and to all those who are afar off. In fact, this promise extends to all those who believe the good news gospel message of the Kingdom and continue in His Word.

Become a Jesus witness to the uttermost parts of the world today. Stand in the offering plate.