Sabbath: Discipling the Powerful
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 13:1-7, Mark 2:23-28, Matt. 8:5-13, 26:57-68, 27:11-14, Acts 4:1-12.
Memory Text: The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7, NRSV)
The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the Saviour’s promise was fulfilled. When Peter and John testified before the Sanhedrin council, men “marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”” Acts 4:13. Of Stephen it is written that all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel
[Acts 6:15]. Men were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
[Acts 6:10]. And Paul, writing of his own trial at the court of the Caesars, says, At my first defense no one took my part, but all forsook me. . . . But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2 Tim. 4:16-17, R. V.-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 354, 355.
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We must acknowledge the power of God all the time even in the time of trouble. Even though all may forsake us He alone will stand with us.Faith in believing that He is always with us.
We as Christians should study diligently the Word of God,and to have His demeanor by living as He lived so we can share the love He has for us with others who don't know Him. The time grows near; we all need to be soldiers for Christ!
Upon being confronted by questions regarding the stand of Adventists on the 'Gift of Tongues' I find the statement "The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed." Peter, John, Stephen, Paul all testify to the fact that the manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit was not made visible by a display of 'strange tongues' or miraculous healings (which may have saved them if the accusers had gout!). God showed his presence in the lives of the disciples when He addressed the court through them in the language of the day and the people present felt the invisible presence of the Holy Spirit!
The power of God is always with us to make as confront
How about us today ? can others feel the Holy spirit about us when we call on His name. O God please help me and others.
I think Jeremiah 9:23-24
King James Version summaries it all. it says