Wait For The Promise Series

“Wait For The Promise”

Acts 1:4-8

When Christine was very young the Christmas present she so wanted was a “Cabbage Patch Doll.” She spoke of it often and said how much she wanted that doll, and I told her that I was going to give her a box of rocks instead. Well I needed to keep my word so I took a box bigger than the gift box and added some rocks. She would shake the box and even shake it for any guest that came over and said “I’m getting a box of rocks for Christmas.”

Imagine her surprise when she opened her box of rocks and found another box with her much desired Cabbage Patch Doll.

The lesson was simple; when you ask for a gift you will need to wait until the proper time to unwrap the gift.

Such is the case with the Disciples of Christ.

Jesus was with them and said there is a gift that will be given to you but you need to wait.

How hard is it to wait when you are so ready to receive that which you know to be a very special gift?

Vs. 4 “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.”

Being assembled together - The last time that Jesus was with these men was just before He was taken to be crucified.

The assembly then was to eat their last meal together but this time the word “Assembly” = to congregate or come together for the purpose of instruction.

It is the same word as Hebrews 10:22-25 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

I cannot bring enough importance to the assembly in a New Testament Church.

It was while together that they received instructions as to what to do next.

That they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, - For the fulfillment of the promise respecting the descent of the Holy Spirit made by the Father.

Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”

Ye have heard of me. - You heard me speaking of this as well.

John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

John 16:7-13 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Vs. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

Baptism is One of Two Ordinances given to the New Testament Church.

We see that it was established through John and Jesus was baptized by John establishing the first New Testament Church.

Just so you know where I stand; there is no “Pentecostal Birthday of the Church.”

Jesus established the first Church and the first members were His disciples and those that followed Jesus in Baptism.