In the book of Acts, the following of Christ, or Christianity was known as “The Way”. We were known as followers of the Way even before Saul became Paul:
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.Acts 9:1-2
Just as any other ‘movement’ or ‘mindset’, ‘the Way’ was bashed in public:
But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.Acts 19:9
And we read further into what exactly comprised of ‘the Way’ in Paul’s defense:
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Acts 24:14-15
As it was with our brothers and sisters who walked in the origins of the Way, so we also have cause to worship. Backing what we also read in Romans 5, followers of the Way have a hope that has a strong Foundation. It is a hope that has us looking at the resurrection of Christ as the basis of our looking forward, to the ‘resurrection of both the just and the unjust.‘
This brings me even more to profess that this Gospel that we have transcends borders, just as much as it goes beyond time. For those in the earlier days of ‘the Way’, and consequently for us today, we worship out of the finished work of Christ, and from the resultant hope that has us believing in the resurrection – of both the just and unjust.
I’m also led to believe that ‘the Way’ for us today is the Gospel transforming more and more of our beings, by no less than the power of the Holy Spirit.
In fact, all that we do in the body of Christ IS powered by the Holy Spirit – It’s power from the heavenlies to this reality, power that comes from above (Luke 24:49).
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.Acts 20:28
The Body of Christ is not without the Holy Spirit, then and now. Furthermore, we are to understand and appreciate that even those who are placed as leaders over us are appointed by the same Holy Spirit… and those of us who HAVE been given authority are also accountable to the same Holy Spirit.
To recall what we now call The Great Commission:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
We’re quick to state the Commission beginning at ‘go therefore’, before understanding the nuances and the implications behind ‘All authority’.
Just as the hope we have in the future has weight and a foundation, so we see the commission as a greater charge than a mere command, when we understand that the One who gives it to us has ‘all authority in heaven and on earth’.
Power is defined as the ability to get something done. And God has given Christ all power and authority in heaven and earth. This is the same Christ who is our all-power unto Salvation – freedom from death, and freedom to live. If we have trouble getting anything done, we would do well to remember the all-power of the One who saves and commissions us.
By the power of Christ, we are able to go and make disciples of all nations. Now, is this about evangelism? It’s a part, but not the whole – because we aren’t just setting out to make converts, but disciples.
Disciples are ‘learners’ (saints, brothers); they are committed learners adherent to a teacher… and in the case of the Way, our Teacher is Christ. ‘Learners’ are not merely limited to listeners and readers – no, they are general observers, and more importantly, they are doers.
Disciples are those who faithfully apply and learn, and those who faithfully learn and apply… And sadly, you can only learn so much learning from those who apply infrequently, or those who just stick to the learning.
Only faithful disciples make disciples – and what is a ‘faithful’ disciple? What idea can we have of the ‘faithful’ servant, whom Christ shares is looked upon favorably by his master? I feel, I believe a faithful servant, a faithful disciple is one who is one faithfully and consistently.
We’re told about how, in the Philippine Military Academy, anyone who makes it in and eventually graduates immediately is promoted to an officer’s position – First or Second Lieutenant, if I’m not mistaken. However, in their training, it’s not higher officers who guide them and direct them, especially in live activities… They’re of lower rank – sergeants, and such.
Why is that? Because unlike the cadets who are training in simulated environments, those sergeants have actually been to war, and have been consistently exposed to real conflict.
Friends, the ‘activity’ of disciple making must – actually, it’s not even a question of our ‘making’ it so – Discipleship IS a lifestyle and NOT a special activity, or a category in ministry. Discipleship is as natural as love!
And with that said, Discipleship/Love is NOT a competition! We aren’t placed here to see who’s a better ‘discipler’, or who demonstrates the most love – friends, we’re here to celebrate Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit our eyes are opened to how Christ knows each and every one of us by name, and disciples us, because He loves us. He loves us, because He disciples us.
Divine sovereignty is not only ON our side by BY our side – Christ is not merely for us, but WITH us. And we have His Spirit; With the Holy Spirit, how much more secure can we even get?
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Additional Points:
Follow others in so far as they follow Christ.
“I can only love as He has given me love”
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” – Westminster Shorter Catechism, Westminster Assembly
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