“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
Just as Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit and did what He saw His Father doing and taught what His Father instructed Him to say, so the apostles relied on the same Spirit to teach and do Christ’s mighty works. Just as the Scripture Jesus quoted was from what we call the Old Testament, so the apostles read the same written Word for revelation and understanding.
‘You are My witnesses, and the Holy Spirit will enable you to walk in My steps. You do not need to worry when you are opposed; the Spirit will show you what to say. I am always with You. What I taught, you are to teach; as I healed, you are to heal; as I loved, you are to love. Because I live, you live. I am in My Father; you are in Me; I am in you.’
The early disciples did not always live perfectly or understand fully, but they were faithful. The Holy Spirit empowered several to record their experiences, teachings, struggles, and instructions for holy living. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John recorded the story of Jesus. These inspired writings are what we call the New Testament and they give us revelation and understanding.
Jesus was the Good News of the apostles; He was their ‘first love.’ The Messiah had come; the prophecies had been fulfilled; the Kingdom of God was at hand. The Son of God died for the sins of the world; He was buried in a borrowed tomb; He was raised to life on the third day. God wants all Jews and all Gentiles to be saved by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus.
The Father, Son, and Spirit want all who have found life in Jesus to be ‘one’ as they are ‘One.’ As we live in Christ, the fruit of the Spirit will be apparent in our lives… and ‘love’ is the greatest. Our Master wants His love to rule the day… love for one another, love for our neighbor, love for the broken, love for the foreigner, and even love for our enemies. Jesus wants us to live in fellowship with Him and one another as we trust and obey Him. He wants us to remember and He wants the world to know He is coming again.
Sometimes it is good to remember the basics.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” Hebrews 4:12-13
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:20-21
“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
“But do not forget one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” II Peter 3:8-10