Important Preparations Concerning Christian Ministry (Part 2) Series

IMPORTANT PREPARATIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Part 2

Acts 1:12-14

Over the last couple of weeks we have examined certain precautions that we must take concerning our future Christian ministry. Along with these precautions, there are some preparations that we must make as well. I would like to look to Acts 1:12-14 and consider “Some Important Preparations for Christian Ministry”. These verses show us that:

1. We Must Be Obedient

2. We Must Be Unified

3. We Must Be Prayerful

4. We Must Be Steadfast

- If we will do these things then we can be successful in our efforts concerning Christian ministry. Let’s begin with the fact that:

I. WE MUST BE OBEDIENT

v12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.

The Disciples had received a clear command from the Savior; there was no doubt as to what He would have them do with the rest of their lives. These men were obedient to His command and the Church has been blessed as a result. The Apostles journeyed about 1/2 of a mile from the Mount of Olives, through the Kidron Valley back to Jerusalem. Luke says that this was “a Sabbath day’s journey”. This does not mean that it took the entire Sabbath to make this trip; it refers to the fact that this was the greatest distance a Jew would travel on the Sabbath day.

In verse 4, Jesus commanded the Disciples “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father”. That is exactly what they did; they returned to Jerusalem and remained there until the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost. As they waited, they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication”

The Apostles were faithful and obedient and God used them to accomplish great things for His glory. If we want to be ready for our future ministry, we must be obedient to the direction that Jesus has given us in His Word.

- Not only were the Disciples obedient they were unified. This is vital to the success of any church, ours included. This leads us to the fact that:

II. WE MUST BE UNIFIED

v13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

When the followers of Christ arrived in Jerusalem, they returned to the upper room where they were staying. Gathered in the upper room was Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the less, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. Along with them were Mary and the half-brothers of the Lord Jesus. This assembly likely included Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, the sisters Mary and Martha, and Salome and possibly some of the apostles’ wives. It is interesting to note who was there and who was not present. This is the fourth (and final) time that the Lord’s Disciples are listed. On this occasion there is one notable omission, Judas Iscariot was not there. As the Disciples gathered waiting on the arrival of the Holy Spirit, Judas was in Hell! This reminds us that just because someone is numbered with the Disciples that doesn’t mean that they are genuine followers of Christ.

There are also some interesting additions to the congregation of Christ followers; Luke tells us that the brothers of the Lord were present. Mark 6:3 identifies these men as James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. Before the Resurrection, the half-brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him. (John 7:5). We are not given the details but something convinced these men that Jesus was the Messiah and they came to believe in Him. In fact, James eventually became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. This shows us that there is hope of salvation for those who do not currently belong to the Lord. Luke declares that as these believers were gathered together in “one accord”.

This phrase, which is found 11 times in the Book of Acts, is made up of two words that mean “same” and “mind.” The phrase speaks of people sharing the same mind or thinking like-mindedly. It does not refer to people who all think and feel the same way about everything, but to people who set aside personal feelings and commit themselves to one task—in this case witnessing to others about the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color (p. 6722). Thomas Nelson.)

Unity was an important part of the success of the early church and it is vital to the success of the church today. We are blessed to experience great unity within our assembly. This is pleasing to God and it is something that He expects from His people. Jesus said to the Disciples “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)