While we wait for the fall of Iran and the change in regime to start World War 3, let's check our own Christian faith, doctrine and knowledge of Him and His words.
Acts 1:1-3 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
For the forty days our resurrected Lord Jesus was teaching them the truth in His words and in the Scriptures. There was no record of His disciples evangelizing until Pentecost, even though our resurrected Lord Jesus gave each of them the Holy Spirit of redemption.
Why were they not evangelizing?
John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:4-5 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Our Lord knew that without the baptism of the Holy Spirit (of truth), they were powerless against their own weaknesses. Only with His truth will they be set free from their fear, bondages and flesh.
Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Boldness of Peter
Act 2:14, 22, 36-37 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words... Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know... Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Peter being led by the Holy Spirit, convicted the Jews with his powerful message and 3,000 Jews were saved and baptized.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Faith and Love of Early Disciples
Acts 4:32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
These disciples loved the Lord and had kept His words and commandments. Some of the examples are below:-
1. Not Worthy of Jesus
Mat 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
2. Forsake All
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
3. Deny Self
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
4. Sell All Give Alms
Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
