After Jesus rose from the dead he opened up their understanding of the scriptures (Luke 24:45)Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. Although the next statement I am going to make might not set well withthe religious it is still the absolute truth . The disciples walked withJesus for 3 and 1/2 years and still didn’t know Him. They were withHim and saw all the miracles and signs and the dead being raised and devils being cast out. They saw Jesus walk on the water and clam the storms and the ragging sea but still didn’t know Him. They walked with Him adnwas sent out along with the seventy (Luke 10:1) who was sent out two by two and the sick was healed and devils cast out in Jesus Name and Jesus told them He gave them power (Luke 10:19)Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. But they were granted this temporary manifestation of power through Jesusname but was not clothed with Power until they were baptized in the Holy Ghost.
In Acts Chapter 1 we see Jesus giving the disciples some further instructions concerning the Kingdom and the Power needed to establish the Kingdom through living witnesses. A witness is not a witness in word only but in demonstration as well. ( Acts 1: 1-8 ) 1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4And, 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. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Jesus spoke more directly to the disciples concerning the Kingdom of God and the need to receive the power of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. After they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost the church was born and men and women began pressing their way into the Kingdom of God through being born again of the water and the Spirit (John 3:5, Acts 2:38 ). This brings me to the subject I am wanting to wrote about which is this. There were certain principle doctrines or chief doctrines if you will that Jesus delivered to His disciples. These we must understand and full grasp being built upon them because they are part of the very foundational structure of the Church. ( Ephesians 2:20-21) 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. Paul declares in ( 1 Corinthians 3:10-11) 10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.Paul writing to the Hebrews outlined for us these very principle or first doctrines of Jesus Christ that must be laid which is our foundation and if it is not laid we can never go on to perfection (maturity or completeness) until these foundation principles are set in order. The church understands a few of these principle or first doctrines or teachings established by Jesus Christ and make a mess out of the others. Continued next week...........