Greetings!
Did you know that Jesus’s twelve disciples were not born-again indwelt believers while Jesus was on this earth?
I am known for asking a trick question.
Were the disciples authentic Christians when they walked with Jesus?
The answer I typically get is, “
Of course they were
.”
This trick question begs for a definition of “authentic” and “Christian.” Authentic means
that which comes from the author
. Christian means
Christ-follower
. Here is the same question using the organic definition of “Christian,” which is probably the clearest way of asking, “
Were the disciples authentic followers of Jesus when they walked with Him?"
Making it much easier to answer. Here is my all-time favorite question to ask. ”
Were the disciples authentic born-again Christians while being in ministry with Jesus?”
This question is probably the most important, and for some, the hardest to answer. Allow me to answer these questions for you.
1.
Yes, they were authentic followers.
2.
No, they were not born-again indwelt Christians.
The authentic born-again methodology of Christianity did not occur until after Jesus left the earth!
Let’s break this down.
Most tend to think that the Old Testament and its requirements ended when Jesus entered the ministry. Some believe it ended when He was on the Cross. Others say it was when He said,
“It is finished.”
The Truth is, the Old Testament concluded upon the moment the Jewish Day of Pentecost started, which is AFTER His ascension. He had to bring the seal of the New Covenant – the Holy Spirit.
That means the New Covenant (New Testament) began on the first hour of Pentecost. Due to the primary doctrine of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit." Pinning down the exact moment is God's business but this we do know – the disciples and all those who believed and followed Jesus up to Pentecost, were NOT born-again indwelt believers. Being born-again means being born into the Spirit of the Living God. It is this pure doctrine that substantiates Christ being in the believer and the believer transferring belief into conversion (indwelt). A reality that could not happen until Jesus ascended, and the Day of Pentecost was upon them. God's promise of sending the Holy Spirit for a rebirth experience could not occur until His Son was seated at the right hand of the Most High.
Up to this rebirth opportunity,
all believer's, including the disciples, were baptized in water – NOT Spirit. Jesus is the only one noted in Scriptures to have had the Holy Spirit fall upon Him after the baptism of water. Jesus needed to appear to all during His post-resurrection period for 40-days.
“To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”
(Acts 1:3)
Since the followers did not have the Holy Spirit
living within them to bear witness to the things Jesus said, He had to confirm these Truths through
convincing proofs.
After Jesus confirmed His Truth within those 40-days, He gathered them to make sure they stayed in Jerusalem. Why? To be moved from a belief by way of proof, to becoming indwelt by the Spirit, who is the proof.
“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
(Acts 1:4-5)
The proof Jesus delivered during the 40-days was enough to empower them to wait for the promise of the Father. This modality worked perfectly and seamlessly.
It was quite evident that the disciples had no clue what the indwelling Life was all about. Once they gathered with Him on the place of ascension, they ask a ridiculous question.
“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’"
(Acts 1:6)
Were they not listening to Jesus throughout their 3 ½ year walk? Did they not pay attention during those miraculous 40-days as to the importance of being given the Holy Spirit? No, they were not. They continued to be “sleeping disciples.” They were more concerned over the epochs (prophecies) of earthly things.
“He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’"
(Acts 1:7-8)
Please keep in mind this was the same terminology used when Jesus came out of the water after John baptized Him. The disciples were about to join Jesus Himself in Personhood and Spirit. With this rebirth, they would have Life from within to witness to the world. The "sleeping disciples" were about to be removed from lethargic theology and transplanted into being disciples that were "awake" in the Spirit. External belief is about to be converted to Internal Faith. These boys were about to become born-again.
Wait. We're not done!
After Jesus proclaimed these profound words, they still didn't get it. How could they? They had never experienced this conversion, nor hand any other human. Their tiny human minds had no comparison, not by Old Testament record or by the seeing of their own eyes. To make sure the Father covered all bases, He sends two angels at the very moment the disciples could no longer see Jesus. These angels make a statement that completely removes any thoughts of doubt, fear or confusion.
“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’"
(Acts 1:9-11)
Done deal!
With this confirmation, they return to Jerusalem as told by Jesus. And what happens? Well…the seal of the New Covenant shows up on one of the essential Jewish days, the Day of Pentecost. This time, penance (atonement) with a pre-paid cost. The timing of the beginning of the New Covenant arrived at a perfect time and place. From this day forward, authentic salvation would never be the same!
It would be great if we could say
after this night, all is well. But…we can't. You see, there were hundreds, probably thousands, that heard and believed in Jesus by the hearing of their ears but were not baptized into the Holy Spirit (indwelt). The disciples, as well as the new converts, had to go out into the world baptizing believers in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I call this the "transitional gospel." This transition period primarily affected the first generation Church. The second-generation Church presented authentic salvation with believing & receiving the Holy Spirit in one complete swoop. Their actions set a precedent for conversions throughout the remaining days of the New Testament.
Houston, we have a problem!
Satan starts messing with the control center. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the method of madness Satan put into play. He works diligently to stop the salvation process at "belief," while cleverly hiding the receiving the Holy Spirit aspect to completing the seal of the Holy Spirit. He shifts his focus to the "churches" adopting such half-truths. Once he gets that ball rolling, he turns his attention to culture. What is his result? Christianity equals "believing” in Jesus, minimally that He exists. Worst yet, he converts the ideology of "Christian" to be the name of his end-times movement. Liar, liar, your pants are about to be set on fire.
We can’t have Abiding Life
unless we have His Life. A principle that is not complicated. God has always kept it simple for those who demand "proof." He laid out a clear pathway of how to get this Abiding Life. But…the golden key, nobody can obtain it without faith, belief, and a passion to be baptized into the Holy Spirit.
