Jesus left all He had and found those who were hungry and searching for truth. When He found them, He spent every moment with them, day and night. He taught them who He was, and why He came. When they finally understood and were living His teachings, when they were ready and were living “in the Kingdom”. When He could finally “trust them” to share what He had taught them, when He was confident that they would not twist His teachings...He sent (apostolos) them to share the good news (the gospel) of the Kingdom of Heaven with others. They went about continuing to be led by His Spirit, declaring the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven to the inhabitants of the earth.
Jesus had brought Heaven to earth again. He had restored to man all that had been lost in the fall. After Jesus left, they did not depart from His teachings. They were faithful to keep His words. They were transformed, born again and lived in the Kingdom on this earth and shared that Kingdom with all who would listen. The result of their teachings (the very teachings of Jesus) was favor with God and the signs of the Kingdom of Heaven were everywhere.
We see this favor in: Signs and wonders, God added “daily” new believers, there was not a needy person among them, everyone’s needs were met, and they had favor with the people.
...And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
...Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:32-37
If the church doesn't look like these verses in scripture, we have departed from the very teachings of Jesus. Mark 16:17 says “signs follow them that believe”. Believe what? The teachings of Jesus...Period!
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. If the signs do not follow, the word we are teaching is not being confirmed. It’s as simple as that.
If we have departed from the teachings of Jesus....the church is Ichabod...meaning His glory has departed and God’s favor is not upon the church. The signs and wonders are not there AND....God is not adding new believers. And we wonder why we are not experiencing revival?? God is NOT going to set His seal of approval on something that does not line up with the accuracy of His Word!! Remember...Jesus is the Word. We must teach and preach what He taught and not add to it.
Jer. 1:12 “....for I watch over my word to perform it.” God watches over His word only....not our twisted version of it.
What does the perfect picture of the church look like? It looks like all that Jesus taught. It looks like what the first apostles were teaching and how they taught others to live because those things came directly from Jesus Himself. It looks like the Kingdom of Heaven brought down to this earth!
Shalom Shalom,
Zanild Abarrane Tsadak-Kohein