These Men Have Been With Jesus

[the up side]

David Wilkerson Today

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011

THESE MEN HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS

In Acts 3, we find Peter and John going to the temple to worship. Just outside
the temple gate sat a beggar who had been crippled from birth. This man had
never walked a step in his life. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for
alms. Peter answered him,“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have
give I thee”(Acts 3:6). Peter then prayed for the beggar, saying,“In the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth., rise up and walk”(3:6). Instantly, the
man was healed! In utter joy, he began running through the temple, jumping and
shouting,“Jesus healed me!”

Everyone in the temple marveled at the sight because they recognized the man as
the cripple. When Peter and John saw the crowds gathering, they began preaching
Christ. Thousands were saved. Yet, while Peter and John were preaching, the
synagogue rulers “came upon them, being grieved”(Acts 4:1–2). These high
and mighty men asked the disciples,“By what power, or by what name, have ye
done this?”(4:7). Peter was emboldened by the Holy Ghost. He answered the
rulers,“His name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the man you crucified just
three weeks ago. God raised him from the dead. And now he’s the power that
healed this man. No one can be saved by any other name. You’ll be lost if you
don’t call on Christ’s name”(see 4:10–12).

The rulers sat stunned. Scripture says,“They marvelled [admired them]; and
they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus”(4:13). The
phrase took knowledge comes from a root word meaning “known by some
distinguishing mark.”

What was this mark that distinguished Peter and John? It was the presence of
Jesus. They had Christ’s own likeness and Spirit.

Those who spend time with Jesus can’t get enough of him. Their hearts
continually cry out to know the Master better, to draw closer to him, to grow
in the knowledge of his ways. Paul states,“Unto every one of us is given
grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”(Ephesians 4:7; see
also Romans 12:3). What is this measure Paul speaks of? It means a limited
amount. In other words, we’ve all received a certain amount of the saving
knowledge of Christ.

For some believers, this initial measure is all they ever desire. They want
just enough of Jesus to escape judgment, to feel forgiven, to keep a good
reputation, to endure an hour of church each Sunday. Such people are in
“maintenance mode.” And they give Jesus only the bare requirements.

Paul desired the following for every believer:“And he gave some apostles
…prophets…evangelists… pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the
saints...till we all come in…the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men…whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ”(Ephesians 4:11–15).

Paul was saying,“God has given these spiritual gifts so that you may be
filled up with Christ’s Spirit. This is crucial, because deceivers are coming
to rob you of your faith. If you’re rooted in Christ and maturing in him, no
deceptive doctrine will ever sway you. Yet, the only way to grow to such
maturity is by wanting more of Jesus.”


Be Blessed!!

[Amen]

Wow. That was amazing! I just felt such love & content in reading this. It was church for me & I loved it. Sadly I am one of those in "maintenance mode" & as I read this it was so true & I long for more! I am going to try & seek Him more than I do because I know I should! Thank you for explaining things the way u do!

[the up side]

I am sooo glad that you were blessed by it. I just wish others would read this and be just as blessed as you and me.
I must say that if no one else reads this, then it was intended just for you..isn't it awesome how the Lord work. This could have very well been intended just for you.

Be Blessed!!