Gospel News — Jan-Apr 2013

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which also said, `Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven'" (Acts 1:7-11).

Not knowing what exactly to expect, the disciples gathered together to strengthen themselves through prayer and through the bonds of unity and fellowship they shared until the promise of the Lord came upon them: "These all continued with one accord in prayer and with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren" (Acts 1:14).

When the gift of the spirit came upon the twelve, it came in the visible form of tongues of fire accompanied by the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. This portion of God's power invested them with the gift of healing, miracles and speaking in tongues, in order to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus to all peoples and nations. These apostles were for the most part uneducated men, fishermen from Galilee, who could now speak in the languages of whom ever heard them: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).

As those who heard and believed the word were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ they joined the apostles as brethren in fellowship - part of God's household. "And they, continuing 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 people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:46-47). How the disciples must have been encouraged as they witnessed to so many with their newly found spiritual power, seeing great numbers joined daily to the body because of their work!

Their lives were not easy, even with the addition of spiritual power. They were

threatened, beaten and imprisoned by the council of elders, who sought to halt the belief being spread of Jesus of Nazareth as the son of God and Saviour. These men counselled against the disciples, saying: "Let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, `Whether it be right in the sight of God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.' So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing, or how they might punish them, because of the people, for all men glorified God for that which was done" (Acts 4:17-21).

Strengthened by the hand of God, they rejoiced in the deliverance granted, and in the unity they felt among their brethren joined with them in fellowship: "And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted their voice to God with one accord and said, `Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.' And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:23-24,31-33). The unity they felt one with another helped to sustain and strengthen them in the work. The same knowledge and understanding, we are privileged to know through their witness, and is to help us similarly persevere today although our work of witnessing is not with power to perform miracles, healing or the gift of tongues as was theirs.