Connected
The ascension marked a change in Jesus’ ministry: many versus One by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. Jesus will come again; Christians must be His witnesses, as our calling is to be witnesses,
not stargazers. Jerusalem, where Jesus died and was resurrected. Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit will come. Jerusalem, where the Christians will begin. Acts 1:14 reads, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Prayer characterized the early Christian church; they began this way as they awaited the Holy Spirit. Prayer was the main thing. Prayer was how they chose a new leader, v. 1:24. Prayer was essential to their fellowship, v. 2:42. Prayer was a regular activity of their day, v. 3:1. Prayer was how they handled a problem, v. 4:24. Prayer was a part of commissioning servants, v. 6:6. And here, before the church is even born, they wait for the Holy Spirit and power to witness … in the process of prayer. We don’t like to wait for anything, and yet that’s where our faith is exercised. Notice the development of verse 14a … “These all continued” … “These all continued with one accord” … “These all continued with one accord in prayer”. The process that keeps the perspective proper: (1) growth as the result of waiting patiently, (2) focus as the result of developing unity, and (3) power as the result of faithfully praying. There is no effective witness without the Holy Spirit, and the way to spiritual empowerment is to wait in prayer for the Lord to act. We often will settle for good because we are too impatient to wait for the excellent God has planned. What about you? Are you waiting patiently for God? Are you seeking to develop unity? Are you faithfully praying?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
