A Kingdom Voice: The Book of Acts Continues...
Here in the 21st cen... The Book of Acts Continues... Here in the 21st century, we have greater opportunities to manifest the Kingdom of God than Jesus and the Apostles had when they were in the earth. "Really?" you say. Well, just take a look at the various media outlets, the numerous venues, the modern modes of travel, and the endless technology that's available to us today.
Here in the 21st cen... The Book of Acts Continues... Here in the 21st century, we have greater opportunities to manifest the Kingdom of God than Jesus and the Apostles had when they were in the earth. "Really?" you say. Well, just take a look at the various media outlets, the numerous venues, the modern modes of travel, and the endless technology that's available to us today.
In our day, we even have the privilege of possessing a more complete manuscript of God's Word, the Old and the New Testaments, than the Apostles/disciples had. Therefore, we are a bit more knowledgeable (or should be) concerning God's plan for the Ecclesia in the scheme of Kingdom matters.
Jesus left directives for our Kingdom involvement before He returned to the Father as we see in Mark 16:15-18,"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." He did not tell us to do anything that He had not already demonstrated. Concerning the numerous instances of healing and deliverance that Jesus facilitated He said that He simply did what He saw the Father do (see John 5:19), and then He went on to declare that we would do the same work and even greater (see John 14:12).
When Jesus sent the Helper (the Holy Spirit) as He promised, the disciples were empowered to do the same works as Jesus did. Acts 1:8 says, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jeruselem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Even in the Old Testament we see the miracles that the Lord worked through Elijah and Jacob and Moses and many of the patriarchs of old even before the Holy Spirit was given; so we should certainly believe Him to move through us and by us since we have the privilege of receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God).
The Book of Acts is simply the recording of the acts of the Holy Spirit through the disciples. The Spirit of God is doing the same today through yielded and faithful vessels as He did then. The blind see; the deaf hear; the lame walk; the dumb talk; the sick are healed; the gospel is preached; the lost are being saved; and the dead are being raised to life.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrew 13:8).
So..The Book of Acts Continues...
What chapter are you writing?
It is so important for us to not just see the Bible as a historical account of things that happened in the past. It is a guidebook for how we should live our lives. We have been charged and empowered to do the same works as Jesus and the Apostles, and the Bible gives us the tolls that we need to operate in the fullness of His power. So…let’s keep writing!
ReplyDeleteMorrio
Yes, it is so important that we require of ourselves to actualize these possibilities instead of continuing to just teach and talk about them. It is imperative that we make the works of Jesus current in our culture today. We must all endeavor to emulate the Teacher. Remember...He went about doing good to all. When someone needs a healing, a pat on the back and a kind word is no longer enough. Of course, many believers are fulfilling the Great Commission, but this same power and work is available to all. We write our chapters by continuing the works that were demonstrated by the disciples in the Book of Acts. Just preaching another sermon about it becomes an indictment against us because the preaching of the gospel is supposed to be confirmed with signs, wonders, and miracles (see Mark 16:20).
ReplyDelete