The Free Gift
He stood there gazing upon each of them. A slight grin crossed his face. He looked at them like a proud teacher looking over his graduating class. All eleven of them gathered around their master. They had seen him several times in the past 40 days after he rose from the dead. Only one was missing, the one who was the betrayer, Judas.
“And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18 KJV)
He also said, “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 KJV)
As the disciples watched, Jesus began to ascend into heaven, until he disappeared in a cloud, and he was gone. Then two angels joined them on the mountain. They said that Jesus would return in a similar way that he left, so the disciples went and waited in Jerusalem.
The seed of the woman. The last Adam. The Christ. The Messiah. All the tasks GOD the Father gave Jesus were completed on Earth. He was tempted by the devil without sin. He demonstrated dominion over the earth and the sea. He healed the sick and cast out devils. He demonstrated power over death, not only raising others from death but also himself. Jesus preached and taught the word of GOD and the principles of the kingdom of Heaven to the Jews. He also preached repentance and forgiveness of sins. Jesus did what he said he would do, fulfill the scriptures.
Although Jesus completed what GOD the Father asked him to do on Earth, there was one more promise Jesus had to fulfill for mankind. Sending the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
As the disciples and other followers of Jesus gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem, the Bible says that they were praying on one accord. They were waiting on GOD to send the promise. However, they weren’t just sitting around, they were praying. That’s waiting on the Lord.
Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came in from heaven like the sound of a rushing mighty wind and filled all the house where they were. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. They began to speak with divers tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. And the people in that room were not quiet. They were so loud that a multitude of people came to see what was happening. When the people saw their behavior, some were amazed that they were speaking in other languages, but others said that the people in the upper room drank wine, and we’re drunk.
Peter stood up and said that they weren’t drunk with wine, but they were drunk with the Holy Ghost. Jesus fulfilled his promise, by sending the Holy Ghost. He sent the power! The last Adam sent the power of the Holy Ghost to give mankind dominion once again on the Earth.
To restore man, GOD planted a seed in the Earth, Jesus. That one seed in turn planted and nurtured 12 more seeds. By the time Jesus sent the Holy Ghost, there were 130 followers that prayed and received the Holy Ghost. After Peter stood up and preached the message, about three thousand souls were added to the church. So, on its first day, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ became a megachurch. Praise GOD!
Not much is mentioned about the disciples in the Bible after the Day of Pentecost, except for Peter, James, and John. However, when reading writings about the other disciples, we find out that GOD used them in mighty ways in different parts of the world. They healed the sick, cast out devils, and many were killed for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, in their Ministries, they brought many to Jesus.
In summary, GOD’s will for man was for man to have dominion, be fruitful, and multiply. He wanted man to look, act, and be like HIM. Although the first Adam failed, the last Adam succeeded. Like the disciples in the early church, they receive Jesus and went out making other followers of Christ. GOD does not change. He is calling you to receive Jesus and go make followers of Christ. So, step up and obey GOD. Be like HIM and do what he has created you to do.000
Be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion on this Earth.
G. Edward Wyche