Effie Darlene Barba

 

The last instructions that Jesus gave to His Disciples before His Ascension: “Do not depart from Jerusalem.  Wait for the promise of the Father! The Holy Spirit will empower you for the ministry ahead.” (paraphrase of Acts 1:4-5).   Assigned to transform the world through spreading the gospel message, their first assignment was to wait with cautious discernment.  They needed the Holy Spirit’s power; because spreading the gospel required total commitment and surrender of self to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  It was during this time of prayerful waiting that Peter stepped forward to name the twelfth Apostle, replacing Judas Iscariot.  He quoted scripture from Psalms, while recalling the words of Jesus that 12 would sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

While waiting for the Holy Spirit, Peter encouraged the disciples to name the 12^th apostle from among those who had been with them from the beginning.  One who certainly had seen the resurrected Jesus.  The crowd was narrowed to two candidates as we are told in Acts 1:15-26.  Then after much prayer they cast lots to allow for God to choose which would be the twelfth apostle.  Although most renowned scholars of scripture accept that Matthias is the 12^th apostle, saying Paul was an apostle to the Gentile (not one of the 12) referenced in Matthew and Revelation.  Rather, Paul they say was of a separate order.  Perhaps that is all true and Matthias is the 12^th apostle.  We will know one day in heaven.  Yet, I see here in these verses in Acts a warning to each of us called upon to wait at times on God’s answer.

Wait with Cautious Discernment

Continue reading “How to Wait with Cautious Discernment”

The book of Acts  tells the story of the initial spreading of the gospel message following Christ’s ascension.  It is a historical writing by the physician Luke. He documented primarily the early acts of Peter and Paul, although others are included.  Yet, I would argue that in truth, Luke is telling of the continuing acts of Jesus Christ through the body of believers.  Because what they accomplished was done through the power and the strength of the Holy Spirit indwelling them. Furthermore, His power overflowed through them.  The actions they performed and the response they provoked only occurred because of  the power of the Holy Spirit in them.  Therefore, the Acts of True Faith demonstrated in the book of Acts were the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ through His Disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1-9

Continue reading “How to Begin with Acts of True Faith”

During the previous series together, we have explored Faith on the Road to Emmaus.  Jesus taught and proved to his disciples and His apostles that He was the Messiah.  Every part of His birth, life, death and resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament.  Furthermore, it was all necessary to be fulfilled.  Therein lay the true gospel message.  After His resurrection He was seen many times and by many people.  He spent 40 days telling them of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).  They would face many hardships, pains, rejection and sorrow as they went forth to spread the True Gospel Message to all nations.  Jesus needed them to keep their eyes on the finish line.  Just as He needs us to keep our eyes on the finish line.

After all the pain, suffering, fear and confusion they felt following His crucifixion, they needed peace, hope and joy.  He appeared to them in His resurrected body.  Furthermore, He walked with them, talked with them, and He commissioned them to spread the gospel message to all the world.  A message for which they most likely would have to die.  Yet, He knew there would be many who would persecute them.  He also knew that many would confound the truth with lies and distortions.  The task before them would require abundant power from on high, for it was more than they could do in their own strength.  It still does today.  We cannot stand firm and spread the true gospel message in our own power.

As we begin a study into the book of Acts, my hope is that we find encouragement and strength to continue the work He left for us to finish before He returns for us.

Luke 24:44-53

Continue reading “How to Hold Fast to the True Gospel Message”

As we end this series, I do not want to forget where we began.  Along the road to Emmaus two weary disciples walked.  They needed to find hope in what appeared to them as a hopeless situation.  Jesus Christ was rejected by the Jewish leaders.  He was condemned and died on the cross.  They had waited there in Jerusalem for three full days, awaiting His triumphal resurrection.  Certain, that He would suddenly appear, overthrow the Romans and establish His kingdom on earth.  But, alas, it was past noon and nothing of that spectacular event occurred.  Now, feeling hopeless they journey home.  Yet, there along that road, Christ appears and walks along with them.  He tells them of all the prophecies fulfilled and perhaps those yet to come. At first, they do not recognize Him.  Afterall they expected Him to arrive with splendor and glory.

Certainly, they didn’t expect a personal appearance of Jesus Christ to them individually. Nor did they expect Him to be clothed humbly as they were.  Yet, He appears and walks beside them that day, all the same.  He reminds them of the prophecies already fulfilled by Him from the Old Testament Scripture.  Furthermore, He may have told them of the church age, foretold of, but somehow missed by all the Jewish scholars who only wanted to condemn the Gentiles.  Isaiah 11:10 “In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

Christ Appears as Promised

Isaiah clearly spoke of a time in which Christ’s salvation would be presented to the Gentile nations, as noted above.  Also, as written in Isaiah 42: 5-7 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.  I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

God was certain to complete His Promise, even if the nation of Israel had failed in their missionary endeavors.  Was this not clearly presented in the book of Jonah!

Christ appears first as a baby as presented in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7.  His second coming is as presented in Zechariah 14:1-4 which is yet to come.  Christ will literally return to earth as King in power and glory to rule for a thousand years as foretold of throughout Old Testament Prophecy and in Revelations 20.  With the same certainty that all the previous prophecies of His birth, life, death and resurrection were fulfilled so will those yet to come.

Christ Appears, Faith is found

Just as Christ appears to these two disciples, His Truth appears to our hearts today through scripture as proven by history.  There is no other religion which can proclaim this truth.  The veracity of the Bible as God’s Own Word has been proven by history aligning with all that was prophesied.  Jesus Christ is who He professed to be-the Son of God, God Incarnate and the Only means of Salvation.  He is the Great I am, creator of the Universe, who came, bled and died that I might be saved.  That salvation He offers to all who believe He Is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  All who would bow before His throne and willingly take up whatever cross He asks of us to follow Him.

Today, Christ appears to all through nature, His word, and evidences as proven reliable by history.  Therefore, for all who care to see, Christ appears to us through our spiritual eyes as the most glorious, greatest treasure that we might be given.  Nothing else matters after that.  Because, it is never about what He can do for me; although, He has given me more than I could ever deserve.  Rather it is about knowing Him as Lord and Master of my life, bowing before His throne and saying, “not my will; but thine be done”.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Some of the Post from this Series:  Finding Faith on the Road to Emmaus

Is the 70th Week Prophesied by Daniel Really Good?

God Raised Him from the Dead, Why is that so Important?

That One Day When Darkness Covered the Light

How to Certainly Know Jesus As the Lion of Judah

 God Works All Things According to His Will

How Can I Be Certain Jesus is the Christ?

Was Jesus the Savior they Waited For?

How was Christ’s Suffering a Part of His Glory?

Why is it so Important to Know All the Truth?

How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

CREDITS

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Following the rapture of the church, the 70th week of years that Daniel prophesied of in Daniel 9:24.  Thus, the tribulation period will begin. But is there anything about the tribulation that is really good?   With the influence of the true church made up of Christ’s followers gone, mankind will do whatever he feels is right in his own eyes.  The angel speaking to Daniel of the 70 weeks says the following.  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy (Daniel 9:24).  The ultimate end to the prophecy is yet a time in the future when Israel embraces her true Messiah, which is Jesus.

The 70th weeks of years were divided into three sections.  The first being seven weeks of years which began with the decree to rebuild the temple given by Artaxerxes in 457 BC.  Cyrus, King of Persia had given permission of the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem just as prophesied by Isaiah.  (Isaiah 44:28). And furthermore, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah that the people would be freed from Babylonian captivity after 70 years.  At the completion of the 7 weeks of years (49 years), Jerusalem had been rebuilt.  Then began the next 62 weeks of years which ended when Christ entered Jerusalem.  Then as prophesied the Messiah was cut off (crucified).  The 70th week to complete Israel’s prophecy is yet to be fulfilled in the future.

Yet, it ends with Israel embracing her Messiah and the Second Return of Christ to set up His Millennial Reign.  Despite seven years of horror, Righteousness will finally reign.

The 70th Week–Tribulation First Foretold

Continue reading “Is the 70th Week Prophesied by Daniel Really Good?”