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3. The Select Group That Waited For the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14)
ACTS 1:13-14
13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Jesus had commanded His disciples to go into the entire world. How wonderful it is that they did not set out trusting entirely in their own power. Neither did they go forth speaking empty words of human eloquence. Instead, they secluded themselves for prayer, and carried out Christ’s second command by waiting for the Promise of the Father. The world’s distress is terrible, and the multitudes of those who are dead in sin resemble a vast flood. Woe to the believers who intend to preach to the world in their own personal wisdom. They will certainly fall into the mainstream of our time and sink. Do not think you can reform anyone or guide anyone to Christ through your personal skill or artfulness. Be silent and pray, waiting for God to work. Be aware that the history of the Acts of the Apostles began with prayer and not with big words. The first act of Christ’s apostles was to pray and wait. They well knew that their ability would result in nothing, for all men quickly go astray. But the true Man, chosen by God, man as man should be, strives for us. Have you asked who the only winner can be? His name is Jesus Christ. He is the only one who saves, redeems, and overcomes. We follow His steps and testify to His triumph.
The disciples did not withdraw into a cave or the wilderness, nor did they pessimistically meditate on the mysteries of the universe or look with disdain upon this hate-filled world. They met together to pray. They continually gave themselves to supplication and communion. The content of their meetings was common prayer. They praised God for Jesus’ acts, which they themselves had experienced. They sincerely repented of their own failure and prayed over their experiences and expectations. They spoke to their heavenly Father about all their life concerns, thanking, confessing, asking, and imploring Him. Prayer was their main business, profession, and effort.
The upper room was probably the place of their meeting. It may also have been the place of the Last Supper, where Jesus had eaten the Passover with His disciples. He had told them there that as the bread went into their stomachs, so He, too, dwelt in them, and as the wine went into their veins, so, too, His blood cleansed their blood and purified them completely. They were to be completely renewed by His being centered in them.
Who were these men united with Christ in a new covenant, who continually kept attending the meetings in this sacred place? First, we recognize Peter, the hasty, active fisherman, who denied his Lord, only later to receive forgiveness through a personal encounter with Christ on the shores of Lake Galilee. He is mentioned first among the names of the apostles, for he was the one entrusted by his Lord to lead his fellow apostles and speak for them. Next to him, we see John, the young, meek, quiet and gentle disciple, who used to lean on Jesus’ breast. He saw the glory of the Lord and testified of it more than any other. Beside him we see James, his brother, praying, who at one time wished to sit at the right hand of the Son of God in His kingdom. He later became the first martyr among those who were present, glorifying Christ in his death. James was a friend of Andrew, the big man who believed in Christ before all others, and who guided his brother, Peter, immediately to the Savior (John 1: 40- 41). Among those who were praying was Philip, one of the early disciples, whom Jesus sought, found, and then called with one word: “Follow me” (John 1: 43- 45). He immediately looked for his friend “Nathanael”, also called “Bartholomew” who was sitting under the fig tree, pouring his heart out before God. Christ saw him from afar and called him to continuous prayer. He and his fellow disciples would see the heaven open, and the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man and His followers.
In this circle of the first six disciples from Bethsaida of Galilee, we find Thomas sitting down, out of trouble´s reach. This former skeptic had obtained, through his piercing questions, a deeper knowledge of God than all the other disciples, so that he later worshiped Jesus by crying out, “My Lord and my God!” Among those who were waiting for the Holy Spirit we also see Matthew, the tax collector, trader, accountant, and skillful translator. He had obediently answered Christ’s call. Later he gathered His Savior´s words, described His works, and glorified Him with his wonderful gospel. We do not know much about the life of the other three apostles. Like the rest, they, too, received power from Jesus to heal the sick and cast out demons. They, too, rejoiced that their names were written in heaven, and glorified Jesus with the gospel of salvation in their surroundings. That we do not know much detail about their lives is not important, for Luke did not want to describe all the deeds of the apostles. His desire was to bring into view the work of the living Christ, as manifested in His honorable apostles, who had opened their hearts to His Spirit and guidance.
How wonderful it is to see women among the communion of participants in this series of meetings. These were the ones who stood alone near the cross, and who were then commissioned by the Lord to bring the good tiding of Christ´s resurrection to His followers on the first day of the week. They waited with all the others for the power of the Holy Spirit to descend, which was prepared not only for men, but also for women, who generally lived with no distinction.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also in the communion of those who waited for the Promise of the Father. This is the last time she is mentioned in the New Testament. She did not appear as the queen of heaven, but as a humble woman of prayer and in need of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luke, the evangelist, also knew Jesus’ mother personally, and inquired of her about her Son. He testified clearly that Jesus had brothers who had tried to prevent Him from carrying out His work as Savior, lest all the family be refused by the nation (Matthew 13: 55; Mark 3: 21; 31- 35; 6: 3; John 7: 3- 8). After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15: 7), who was so shaken by Jesus’ divinity that he later brought the rest of his brothers to the circle of the apostles. They prayed with them and they were converted. Afterwards they, too, began to wait for the promise of the Father. Later, James was filled with the Holy Spirit and became a model for prayer, as well as one of the pillars of the early church (Acts 12: 17; 15: 13; Galatians 2: 9).
He who was raised from the dead united the leading part of His followers, faithful women, as well as His earthly family, together into a praying church. They all became of one heart and one soul, striving together in prayer. Do you, dear believer, pray in the communion of brothers and sisters with all longing and determination for the will of God? Or do you pray alone? This united group of praying men and women is the starting point for the Acts of the Apostles and for the whole church.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You, for Your apostles did not build Your kingdom by their own power and wisdom, but prayed together, waiting for the promise of the Father and the power of Your authority. Teach us to pray and to faithfully wait for Your power, submitting one to another.
QUESTION:
- Who were these men and women that met together for continuous prayer?