INSTRUCTIONS AND METHODS

It is common for us to look back at the Early Church, or the Church in the Book of Acts, or Beginning Christianity, as a model for understanding our current church Instructions and Methods.

“In my first book (Gospel of Luke) I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:1-5)

It appears obvious from the opening of the Acts account that Instructions and Methods start with these basic premises:

Everything Jesus began to do and teach (v.1).
Instructions were given by the Holy Spirit to apostles (v.1).
He talked to the them about the Kingdom of God (v.3).
Wait for the Father’s gift (the Holy Spirit) (v.4).
Don’t start your work and message without being baptized in the Holy Spirit (v.5)
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (v.8).

I don’t think any of this should change one single bit for us today. No pick-and-chose with clear Bible instructions.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus