Apprentices

                                                                                      

Aloha Dearest Family,

            In Matthew 28:19 Jesus instructs his apostles to go make disciples of all nations. What does it mean to be a disciple? A disciple is really an apprentice to his master. The apprentice follows the master, listens to his instructions and obeys the master’s commands. The goal of the apprentice is to one day be like the master. We see this many times in scripture. We see this in the calling of Elisha by the prophet Elijah. 

So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.  Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah.“Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said,“and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied.“What have I done to you?” So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. (I Kings 19:19-21) 

Elijah found Elisha and put his cloak on him. This cloak was the prophet’s mantel. This means that Elijah was calling him into the ministry. After he was allowed to put his affairs in order, he then followed Elijah and Elisha became his apprentice. After accompanying Elijah for a while and learning how to operate the power of God that Elijah had, it was time for Elisha to walk on his own. Before Elijah was taken, Elisha asked him for a double portion of the spirit than God had put upon Elijah. (II Kings 2:9) His request was granted and Elisha went on to do twice as many miracles as his master Elijah.

            In Old Testament times, there was a group of men who would follow the prophets around, called the “sons of the prophets”. They would serve the prophets and listen to their teachings and learn from them. They became apprentices of the prophets.

            The same was true in the times of Jesus. He had many followers. Of these disciples, Jesus chose twelve to be apostles which means they were specifically ordained to his ministry. These twelve were sent out by Jesus to preach about the kingdom of God and were given the authority to heal the sick and cast out devil spirits (Matthew 10:1). Later, 70 other disciples would be given the same commission (Luke 10:1). Since they were his apprentices, he expected them to go and carry out his instructions and tell others what they had been taught, and give others what they been given.

            On the day of Jesus’ ascension up to his Father, he instructed the apostles to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. This promise was the gift of holy spirit. With this gift they would be able to be witnesses unto all nations. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

If you continue to read the book of Acts, you will find that they went everywhere preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing the people. In this way the gospel spread quickly.

            As apprentices of the Lord Jesus Christ, we strive to do the same today. Many in the church say that the signs and wonders we read about are just for the apostles, and when they died, this power died also. This is not the opinion of God. God clearly points out in His Word that this power is still available for His children today. Some may now ask, “Why aren’t the same signs and wonders being done today as they were in the book of Acts?” The answer - THEY ARE! Believing and faithful men and women throughout history have risen up and are doing the works that Jesus said they should do as his disciples, his apprentices. You can do the same if you are a believer. For it is Christ that works in you through the gift of holy spirit.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (if) they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17 and 18)

                                                                        Love Always, Ray