Acts chapter two has been called the "hub of the Bible" because the Old Testament prophecies concerning the church/kingdom merge (are fulfilled) in Acts 2. It is interesting that prior to Acts 2, the kingdom/church is always spoken of as not yet established and after Acts 2 it is always spoken of as being in existence.

Jesus promised to build the "church" and referred to it as the "kingdom" (Matt. 16:18-19). Therefore, John the Baptist didn't build it. His mission was to prepare the way for its establishment but he was not the builder himself. He died before it was founded (Matt. 14:8-12).

Jesus said to a multitude that heard him speak, "there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power" (Mark 9:1). Note here two points: 1) some to whom Jesus was speaking would live to see the kingdom established, 2) they would see it come "with power." In Acts 1:8 Jesus told the apostles, "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...." Note these points: 1) the kingdom was to come "with power" (Mark 9:1); 2) "power" would come with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8); 3) therefore, the kingdom would come when the Holy Spirit came. In other words, to determine when the "Holy Spirit" came is to learn when "power" came, and to see when "power" came is to learn when the "kingdom/church" came.

Acts 2 (the day of Pentecost) begins with the twelve apostles in Jerusalem. They were waiting to be "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost..." (Acts 2:4). The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost "with power" which enabled them to speak in "tongues" (languages they had not learned). The Holy Spirit came with "power." The church/kingdom was to come with "power." Therefore, the church of Christ came with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Are you a member of the church of Christ the Lord established on Pentecost?

For the very first time, the Gospel was preached concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ which fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. This was during the lifetime of the disciples (Mark 9:1). Men and women repented and were baptized for the forgiveness of sins. They were then added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:38,41).

The church of Christ began on Pentecost recorded in Acts 2.

--Garland M. Robinson

God's word is clear in regard to His expectation of Christians (2 Peter 1:3). Often, however, we are quick to adopt the excuse making attitude exhibited by Moses when he was confronted by the angel of Jehovah at the burning bush (Exodus 3). We say, "I can't do that because...." God, however, has given to each of us something which is a constant reminder of His expectations of us, that being a physical body.

God's first expectation of us as Christians is that we listen to His Word. God's Word says that "belief cometh of hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17). As Christians, we must have the attitude of God's people in the day of Nehemiah (Neh. 8) whose purpose was to hear (v.1), who made preparation to hear (v.3), who expended effort to understand what they heard (vs.3,8), and who showed respect for what they heard (vs.5,9).

We are expected to use our eyes to look at the examples we are given. By so doing the Christian gains strength to live the pattern for life he finds disclosed in God's word. The ultimate example for all Christians is Jesus the Christ. We are directed in 1 Peter 2:21-23 to "follow his steps." The Bible assures us in Hebrews 4:15 that Christ has been faced with it all, yet He did not sin. Paul, the apostle, encourages us to imitate his own life even as he imitated the life of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Therefore, we are not only expected to see the example of Christ but also the example of the apostles and beyond that, the examples of other faithful Christians (Phil. 3:17; Heb. 13:7).

Further, we are expected to use our eyes to see false teachers for what they are. The warning from 2 John 10-11 is clear: "If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works." Brethren, there are false teachers among us (Acts 20:29-31; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Phil. 3:18-19). Do you defend false teachers? Do you give them words of encouragement? Do you support them financially? If so, you are in sin and are not meeting God's expectation of you.

The Christian is expected to think on good things. Philippians 4:8 stands as proof that the Bible teaches mind control, not mind control that is placed upon us by others, but rather control of our own thoughts and will. Clearly, since the word of God is "quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12), we are expected to maintain control over these thoughts and intents.

The Christian is expected to feel compassion for the wayward brother (Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20) and share in God's desire for the alien sinner's repentance (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Do we love the lost? Do we hurt because we understand the eternal consequences for those who will not repent, or worse yet, for those who have never heard the Gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-9)? Christians must feel the weight of responsibility and the urgency for the action placed upon us.

We as Christians are expected to use our feet to go and teach. The words of the great commission as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 demonstrate that each Christian has a personal responsibility to go and teach. Do as much as you can, whenever and wherever you can to tell others about Christ. Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, and if the opportunity is yours, those in foreign lands about the eternal nature of man, the eternal blessing of Heaven, the eternal punishment of Hell and the Gospel plan of salvation.

Christians are expected to use their mouths to speak in confession of their belief in Christ as the only begotten Son of God (Rom. 10:10; Matt. 10:32), and in proclamation of the Word (2 Tim. 4:1-2; 1 Peter 3:15). We are also expected to speak in defense of or to "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 3) and to do so unashamedly (Rom. 1:16). Never let anyone walk over the truth, be he an intentional false teacher or a brother in error. Remember what James wrote: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable..." (James 3:17).

Again looking to the example we find in the great book of Nehemiah (4:17), God expects the Christian to use one of his hands to work by providing for the work of the church (1 Cor. 16:1-2), by providing for our families (1 Tim. 5:8), and by providing for the needy (Eph. 4:28). The other hand is to be filled with the greatest weapon of all, "the sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17) and with it God expects us to "Fight the good fight of the faith..." (1 Tim. 6:12).

A recent newsletter from brother Goebel Music quoted Leroy Brownlow as saying: "The medical marvel of the ages is how that so many men have lived so long without a backbone." Truly, Christians are expected to use the blessings each has been given, our ears, our eyes, our head, our heart, our feet, our mouth, and our hands with courage and stedfastness. First Corinthians 15:58 says: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord."

SYMPATHY: Our sympathy goes out to the families of Linda & Tommy Sharp on the death of Linda's niece, Ramona Warren last week; and to J. P. & Marie Pruitt on the death of his brother-in-law, Charles Wilson.

r SHUT-INS: Pauline Irvin, Nellie Wallace, Mary Dexter, Annie Nauman, Faye Jackson, Clydie Morrow, Frances Massengill, Doug Kimbrough, Sula Perry, Harry Prater, Lucille Leatherwood.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS: Jim Rogers, Wilbur Webb, Trevor McAfee, Tommy Wade, Lauren Case, Debbie Street, Markettia Tharp, Nellie Wallace, Danny Holtsford, Anthony Brock, Maxine Coln, Katie Purvis, Ellen Hendrix, Leasa Weathers, Ruby York, Bill Kimbrough.

MEN'S NIGHT OUT: Mi Toro, Monday, Jan. 8, 6:00pm.

FOOD ITEM: Peanut Butter

Life is so dark when you walk each day without the Lord. Start the new year right.