This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing (Acts 2:32).
The reality that Jesus who had been crucified and buried was resurrected and living, exalted to the right hand of God, and now exercising His power and presence through the promised Holy Spirit, was the great invigorating reality that filled the consciousness, gripped the minds, and fueled the life and ministry of the early church.
This great reality was the great subject matter of the apostolic preaching and the apostolic hope.
Those early believers were a people gripped by the grace and glory of the resurrected and ascended Lamb and Lord. Three realities captivated and galvanized that “new creation community”:
First, He who had been crucified in weakness is alive—living—never to die again. His death and resurrection spelled the “doom of death,” removing its sting (1 Cor. 15:56) and its fear (Heb. 2:15) and its ultimate future (1 Cor. 15:54-55; Rev. 20:14). Forever living to make intercession for them. Forever living as their Advocate. Forever living to give His life and virtue to them through the Spirit.
Second, He who had been rejected by men was now ascended and installed at the highest place of honor. His earthly humiliation has led to heavenly exaltation, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, so that every knee will bow to Him (Phil. 2:8-11; Heb. 2:9). The Son has been set as King on Zion’s holy hill (Ps. 2:6)! All authority in heaven and earth belongs to Him, and all things will be given to Him!
Third, He who had departed from them physically was now presently, mightily active among them through the Spirit He had sent. Therefore they could be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord their labors would not be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). They could lay down their lives for one another confident that in the laying down of themselves, God through Christ would eventually raise them up. They would live as expendable and disposable for the sake of the Name, knowing that the eternal life they possessed in Christ was indestructible.
They did not consider themselves “a poor little church.” They were chained to the triumphant chariot of their conquering King. They lived in the confidence of His presence and power and purposes, glad to be a part of God’s perfect plan being worked out through His glorified Son (Acts 4:23-31).
Dear saints, the reality that gripped and galvanized those early followers, is as real and fresh today! He is alive. He is exalted. He is ruling. He is mighty. He is present and active.
Hallelujah, what a Savior and what a glorious salvation is ours!
Blessings in the Name above all names.
