The Apostles Were And Still Are God's Chosen Witnesses to the World - Part 1191

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:42-47)
Note that after Jesus was taken up (after His crucifixion, resurrection and the time He spent with the apostles), He through the Holy Ghost commanded the apostles. (Acts 1:2) He did not command the apostles "with" the Holy Ghost as man-constructed religion likes to teach today, when they present one God as a tri-une God. We know that from God speaking through David in Psalms right through to (and including the new testament) whereby Jesus was declared both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) But I digress.

When we read the book of Acts, we learn that the early believers continued steadfastly in the Holy Ghost teachings delivered by our Lord God and Saviour Himself to His chosen apostles. The apostles were (and still are) God’s chosen witnesses appointed by God to deliver to all men that which He Himself delivered to them. Indeed, as the scriptures state, JESUS told the apostles that they were to be His witnesses even to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Therefore, when we write these posts, the intent is to spread the same message that was spoken from the beginning of time by the Lord Himself. The same message that was delivered to us in written Word by those who were eye witnesses of the many teachings of Jesus - including the signs and wonders of Jesus, the miracles, His feeding of the multitudes, the numerous times He raised the dead, casting out demons and in fact, commanding the very elements into submission. Moreover, the very deeds which were wrought by JESUS to others at no cost whatsoever - that should, at the end of the day silence any and all opponents.

Still, some people need the gospel presented to them in various ways in order to gain understanding of the scriptural message. For example, a person who had been born blind was healed by JESUS. From the Bible, we know that the religious observers at the time were so mad at the miracle that they even turned on the man’s parents, wanting the parents to explain to them how this happened. To their credit, the parents turned the conversation back onto them, telling them to ask the son directly. He is of age. He’s the one that was delivered.

So these men of the religious cloth asked the son. Do you know what he said? Yes, he shared how his healing was a marvelous thing! Why? "Because I can see." (John 9:1-41)

Never since the dawn of creation has this happened - that someone who had been born blind had gained 20/20 sight. Did the religious leaders, the son asked, not know who this man was? This Jesus? Well that was simply too much for the religious leaders. In response, they got nasty, and wanted this Jesus who restored people to newness of life killed.

Still, we say all of this to bring to the forefront the fact that God is God and there is nothing too hard for Him. In saying this, we are not advancing or embracing religion. We are not encouraging stagnant religion whereby people exercise a form of worship and yet deny the power thereof. (II Timothy 3:5) That, sadly, when asked who it is that they worship, there is an emptiness in their response. Somewhat like the Athenians of old, they worship but they know not what. This is why we do not promote religion(s) whereby God in Christ is unknown to the people. (Acts 17:22-31)

What we are advocating is the same message preached to the masses by the apostles, as described in the scriptures. That is - faith in God sets man totally free. That a born again person experiences a freedom that was formally never anticipated. That is why a new experience with Jesus is described as being born again. To be renewed in every way from the person that we were.

To be born again, we have simply believed in JESUS the only "begotten" Son of the Holy Ghost as our Saviour. JESUS being the promised seed of the Spirit of God!

JESUS - God Himself with US as a SON. Put you faith in Jesus too - and as a consequence, you shall never be confounded. Indeed, JESUS said "Whosoever comes to Me, I will not cast aside." And like the days of old, as many as received JESUS, to them He gave power to become the sons and daughters of God!

But there is so much more to this faith journey. Still, stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

Stand in the offering plate.