The message that the Early Church held onto
Acts 1:1~14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (14)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #478 This is My Father’s World (#78 in previous version)
The Early Church came together as one as they held onto the Word given to them by Jesus Christ. Consequently, they were able to abandon all disbelief and stake their lives solely for the purpose of the Word movement. They were able to further dedicate everything within the work of the Holy Spirit by becoming martyrs. Barnabas, Priscilla and her husband Aquila, and Gaius are epitomes of such people. They were used by God throughout their entire lives and received the answer of transforming the entire world. Then how can we enjoy the same answers received by the Early Church?
1. The beginning of faith
Because the evangelists of the Early Church staked their lives completely, they neither had any resentment nor any need to shift blame. What is more important is discovering first the purpose worthy of staking their lives.
2. What we must do first
Usually, we waste away our lives by pursuing trivial and useless things, and speaking ill of others. But the members of the Early Church were able to understand and yield to others because they already possessed everything within the Gospel. And the Early Church was able to always enjoy the filling of the Holy Spirit with the pride of being a child of God within the covenant of Jesus Christ. They also experienced their fields completely transforming within God’s time schedule as they held onto this covenant until the very day of the advent of the Lord. This was the evangelism movement as pursued by Mark’s upper room in the Early Church. This is the very same evangelism movement we must pursue. As we do so, we must connect everyone we meet, and everywhere we go with this covenant. If the same evangelism movement pursued by the Early Church arises, great works will arise as well.
3. Problems
If we receive the answer of the evangelism movement that the Early Church received, we can overcome all problems and instead take it as further opportunity. It is an opportunity to seek true disciples even in the midst of adverse persecution and pursue true evangelism. And it is also an opportunity for true devotion even in the most disadvantageous circumstances. Therefore, there is no need to worry; if we pursue evangelism and devote ourselves within the Gospel, God will attach to us disciples and pour blessings upon us.
° Forum Topic - Begin specifically to pursue today’s prayer, evangelism and Word in your life. Then the answer of the evangelism movement as received by the Early Church will begin in your life as well.
Satellite Regional Church / 2010.2.23