Moment in the Word

Acts 1:4-5  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that
they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
On the eve of June, our minds turn to Whitsunday and the birthday of the
Church.
Before the Ascension, Jesus assembled His disciples for one last admonition.
The Master's imperative was  for the fledgling group to stay together and not
wander off, each in their own direction.   As a united body, they had all
heard Christ promise empowerment that the Father would send, “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
Although the divine endowment would come from “on high,” yet the infant
Church had to be solidly united from the “ground up.”
In the book of Psalms, we note a similar parallel of God's anointing, based
on unity, flowing from the top to the bottom, “Behold, how good
(beneficial) and how pleasant (easy, uncomplicated) it is for brethren to
dwell together  in unity! 2  It is like the precious ointment upon the
head (divine anointing from above), that ran down upon the beard, even
Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments (down to the
lowest unified level); 3  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that
descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the
blessing, even life forevermore (While God commands the blessing, yet unity
is the safeguard and guarantee for success in life). ” Psalms 133:1-3
After Jesus ascended, unity in His absence was more vital to receive God's
promised blessing than ever before.  As the angels attested in verses 10-11,
the promise was steadfast, but the Church was required to remain equally
resolved, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren ” Acts
1:14
Without regard for individual identity or personal agenda, the Early Church
did nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility they
valued each other above themselves,  (Philippians 2:3)
Why?
Consider the prophet Amos' question, “Can two walk together, except they
agree?” Amos 3:3; as well as St. Paul's order, “Do not be unequally yoked
together...” 2 Corinthians 6:14.
As this condemned world sinks into chaos at the End of the Age, the
fragmented Church must unite around absolute Bible tenets or be drowned in
the confusion with all the rest.

Howell County News

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