(D) – IMPORTANT EXPRESSIONS OF WHAT IS IDENTIFIED AS FOUNDATIONAL (C)

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Evidence of the Spirit’s infilling and work – After the coming down of the Holy Spirit on believers at Pentecost, the effects of His indwelling could be “seen and heard” – Acts 2:4, 33 (note Peter’s reference to the prophet Joel’s assertion that, “In the last days,” God declares that the impartation of His Spirit will be demonstrated by prophesy, visions and dreams – Joel 2:16–18).  The later example of the seven first deacons recognised as being “full of the Spirit and wisdom – Acts 6:3 – including faith –6:5, grace and power –6:8 (citing Stephen specifically).  Paul’s sight being restored after Ananias prays that he be “filled with the Holy Spirit – 9:17–18.

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Following this, the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria grew and was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit – 9:31.  At Caesarea Paul and company witness Cornelius’ household “speaking in tongues and praising God” – 10:45–46.  Later, the Spirit directs the church in Antioch to “set apart” Barnabas, described as “full of the Holy Spirit and faith” – 11:24, and Saul for the work of outreach – 13:2.  To the church in Rome, Paul attests that believers ‘controlled’ by the Spirit would be able to overcome the ‘sinful nature’ bringing ‘life and peace’ – Rom 8:5–11.

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To the Galatians, Paul further informs that those living in and led by the Spirit would embody the “fruit of the Spirit… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control” – Gal 5:22–23.

 

Of further note is Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesians to be “filled with the Spirit” which results in joy, praise and a thank–full life – Eph 5:18–20 – a life grounded in love – Col 1:8.

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Believers would receive various spiritual “gifts” – in evidence also of the Spirit’s indwelling” – And according to God’s grace – Rom 12:5–8, Acts 19:6, 1Cor 12:7–11, 14:1, Heb 2:4 – such as Paul’s ‘Spirit inspired’ words of condemnation to the sorcerer Elymas at Paphos – Acts 13:9 – and believers at Ephesus speaking in tongues and prophesying after Paul laid hands on them – 19:6.  Further examples are the Spirit inspired prophetic words by Agabus over Paul – 21:10–11 – and reference to disciples in Pisidian Antioch being “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” – Acts 13:52.

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Love and devotion to each other – Paul emphasises the importance of “brotherly love” which must be sincere – Rom 12:9–10 – and fulfils God’s ‘law’ –13:8–10, Gal 5:14,6:2.  Such love is “the most excellent way”… which “never fails” – 1 Cor 13:1–13, 16:14 – and requires mutual service – Gal 5:13, 1 Pet 4:8–10, 2 Pet 1:7 – “especially to those who belong to the family of believers” – Gal 6:10, 1Thess 3:12, 4:9–10, Heb 13:1.  As well, Paul encourages believers to live a life of love “just as Jesus loved us”– Eph 5:1–2 – a love which encompasses all good virtues – Col 3:14 – is always increasing towards each other – 2 Thess 1:3b – and overflows to all –1 Thess 3:12.

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Such love, James states, confirms our faith – James 2:14–17 – needs to be deep and “from the heart” – 1 Peter 1:22, 4:8 – is sacrificial towards others, as Jesus’ was – 1 John 3:11–23, 4:7–21 – and is in obedience to the Lord’s commands – James 2:8, John 4:21, 5:1–3, 2 John 6.

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Devotion to prayer – Clearly evident as the early church gathered – Acts 2:42b.  Prayer was pursued on all occasions and for all needs – especially for all believers – Eph:6:18 – for leaders – Col 4:2–4, 2 Thess 3:1–2 – and all those in authority –1 Tim 2:1–2, 1 Tim 2:1–2 – and was presented to God with thanksgiving – Phil 4:6. The importance of praying continually and in all circumstances is strongly emphasised by Paul – 1 Thess 5:17 – especially in times of adversity – Acts 4:23–31, James 5:13–16.

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Devotion to praising God and thanksgiving – (closely associated with prayer) – In varied ways with hearts of gratitude to God – Col 3:16–17, Eph 5:19–20.  This, Peter declares, is a reflection of believers’ new status as God’s chosen and holy people – 1 Peter 2:9 – and, James adds, an expression of their happiness in the Lord – James 5:13.  Paul cautions believers not to be anxious and encourages them, instead, to rejoice in the Lord always – Phil 4:4 – and to be “joyful always” – 1 Thess 5:16. The writer of Hebrews further instructs that all is to be done with reverence and awe since believers are assured of “receiving an eternal kingdom”– Heb 12:28, 13:14–15.

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Knowledgeable and competent to teach one another – This, Paul affirms, is to characterise believers – Rom 15:14 – who are to “teach and admonish one other” with all wisdom and thankfulness to God – Col 3:16.  Paul, moreover, exhorts Timothy to pursue this personally – 2 Tim 1:13–14 – while stressing the importance of sound doctrine, of training knowledgeable and reliable teachers, and always being prepared – 1:13, 2:2,4:2.  To Titus, Paul adds that such teaching is to be self–controlled and sound in faith, love, hope and endurance – Titus 2:1–7 – as God’s people wait for the “appearing of our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ” – Titus 2:11–15.  In concurring, the writer of Hebrews strongly emphasises the necessity of believers progressing to maturity and able to teach others – Heb 5:11– 6:1–3.  In support, Peter adds that such knowledge, along with other virtues such as self–control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, will keep believers “from being ineffective and unproductive” – 2 Peter 1:5–8.

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Leading holy lives – Not according to our sinful nature – Rom 8:4 – instead, “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” – which is a “spiritual act of worship” – as Paul attests – Rom 12:1–2.  To the Corinthians he stresses avoiding immorality in order to honour God –1 Cor 6:12–20 – while “perfecting holiness out of reverence to God” – 2 Cor 7:1– which is His will – 1 Thess 4:3–7. This includes shunning all manner of sin as we “put off” our old selves which were “created to be like God”– Eph 4:22–32 ( refer also Col 3:5–10) – in order to please Him “in every way” – Col 1:10.  Peter similarly urges believers to shun all sin and “crave pure spiritual milk” –1 Peter 2:1–3 – as a “chosen people” and “a royal priesthood” – 2:9 – in order to be a witness to non–believers –  2:11–12,15.  James, as well, emphasises the need to submit to God and resist the devil while drawing close to God – James 4:7–10.  Other writers stress the importance of believers pursuing such godly lives while waiting for the coming of the lord – Titus 2:11–14, Heb 12:14, James 5:8, 1 Peter 1:13–16, 2 Peter 3:11–14, Titus 2:11–14.

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Generosity to others, especially those in need and one’s family – Paul encourages the Ephesian elders to “help the weak” – Acts 20:35 – and those in one’s family –1 Tim 5:7–8 – and especially to share with other believers – Rom 12:13.  He further exhorts believers to “excel in this grace of giving” – 2 Cor 8:7 (also refer 9:6–15) – which, the writer of Hebrews attests, pleases God – Heb 13:16 – and to have genuine concern for “the interests of others” – Phil 2:4.  James particularly stresses the importance of helping the weak and those in genuine need – which is “pure and faultless religion” (what Christianity is meant to be) – James 1:27 – and shows that our love and faith in God is real – 1 John 3:16–19 – and, Paul declares, is a “firm foundation” for our future life with the Lord – 1 Tim 6:18.

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Honoring each other above ourselves – As Paul implores – Rom 12:10b,16 – encouraging and building each other up – Rom 15:1–3, 1 Thess 5:11.  Believers are urged to do so “daily” (that is as often as possible) – Heb 3:13 – being kind and compassionate and forgiving towards each other (just as God forgave us) – Eph 4:32.  James concurs in also stressing that believers are to be peace loving, considerate and submissive – James 3:17–18.  Moreover, they are to let their “gentleness be evident to all” – Phil 4:5 – as they “clothe” themselves in all such virtues – Col 3:12–14.

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Displaying humility before others – (related closely to above) – Rom 12:3, 16 – refer also 1 Cor 3:18–23, 1 Pet 3:8, 5:5–6.  Paul exhorts believers, ‘as prisoners of the Lord’, to be “completely humble and gentle… and patient”, bearing with one another in love – Eph 4:1–2 – and submitting to each other “out of reverence for Christ” – 5:21 – while considering others above (more important than) ourselves – Phil 2:3.  He emphasises further that “true humility” is to be shown towards everyone – Titus 3:2b – having the same attitude and obedience as Jesus – Phil 2:5–8.

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Living in harmony and unity with each other – (also related to above) – As Paul exhorts – Rom 12:16 – which brings glory to the Father –15:5–6.  Believers are urged to live “in peace with all men” – Heb 12:14 – and to be “perfectly united in mind and thought” – 1 Cor 1:10 – not “worldly,” instead free from “jealously and quarrelling” – 1 Cor 3:3, 2 Tim 2:14, 24, Titus 3:9.  They especially are to shun division, instead having “equal concern” for each other” – 1 Cor 12:25.  Paul, furthermore, stresses the importance of keeping “the unity of the Spirit “through the bond of peace” – Eph 4:3–6 – “having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” – Phil 2:1–2 – and “united in love". This, Paul declares, is key to having “the full riches of understanding” and knowing Christ – Col 2:2–3.  The necessity of living in “harmony” is also attested to by Peter, as is the requirement to love each other “as brothers” –1 Pet 3:8.

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Commitment to “fully” working for the Lord – 1 Cor 15:58 – and to do so whole heartedly whatever area of life you are in – Col 3:23–24 – dedicating oneself to “doing what is good”– Titus 3:14.  As well, Paul informs that God has given believers the ministry of “reconciliation” (that is, spreading the message of salvation through Jesus) as “Christ’s ambassadors” – 2 Cor 5:17–20 – whereas Jude emphasises the need to show mercy to those who doubt – Jude 22–23.

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Standing firm in faith, courage and strength – 1 Cor 16:13 – and all wisdom – Eph 5:15–16 – as believers put on the “full armour of God” – 6:10–17 – and contend “for the faith of the gospel”– Phil 1:27.  To the church in Colosse, Paul stresses the importance of standing firm in faith and hope in the gospel message – Col 1:23 (refer also Heb 4:14), with confidence and perseverance – Heb 10:35–38, 12:1, Jude 20, “rooted and built up” in the Lord “and overflowing with thankfulness” – Cor 2:6–7.  Moreover, Paul adds, they are to be protected with the hope of salvation – 1 Thess 5:8 – never tiring of doing what is right – 2 Thess 3:13, James 1:22–25.  The writer of Hebrews implores believers to focus on the Lord and what he has done for us – to “ fix our eyes on Jesus” – Heb 12:1–3 – and, James adds, to continue to persevere so that we “may be mature and complete” – James 1:4,12.

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Evangelism – Although there is little specific instruction in the Epistles concerning ‘how’ believers are to spread the Gospel, the importance of and evidence for ‘general’ evangelism through the witness of changed lives in the early church is unmistakable. Foremost, though, is the clear example of the apostles and other disciples actively spreading the message of the risen Christ.  This is clearly demonstrated after Peter and John’s release from prison and subsequent prayer with the gathered believers, when they were “all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word boldly” – Acts 4:31.  Soon after, the elected ‘deacon’ Stephen and undoubtedly other disciples were strong witnesses of God’s power and truth resulting in a large increase in the number of believers – Acts 6:7.

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Following Stephen’s stoning, the persecution and scattering of the church in Jerusalem (except for the apostles) resulted in those dispersed throughout Judea and Samaria preaching the Gospel “wherever they went” – Acts 8:1–4.  Another ‘deacon,’ Philip, would do so boldly in Samaria and to the Ethiopian official on the way to Gaza. Scripture later records him “preaching the gospel in all the towns” – Acts 8:6–8, 26–40.  Acts records that Peter and John also evangelised in “many Samaritan villages” as they returned to Jerusalem – Acts 8:25.

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Paul would later quote Isaiah – “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (Is 52:7) – in stressing how important it is for non–believers to receive the good news of salvation through Jesus – Rom 10:14–17.  He further exhorts believers to be committed as “Christ’s ambassadors” and to contend “for the faith of the gospel” – 1 Cor 5:17–20.

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Freedom to follow the Spirit’s leading rather than the law of sin and death (legalism) – Rom 7:6, 8:1–5 – which brings “life and peace” – 8:6 – while avoiding being a “stumbling block” to others – 1 Cor 8:9, 10:23–24,31–32.  Paul warns, though, against practices that are “based on human commands and teachings” – Col 2:16–23 – and that “indulge” believers’ “sinful nature” – Gal 5:1–13.