quote: Originally Posted by Red Baron:
No they did not believe completely. They were looking for a King to reestablish Israel as an independent nation. Even after the resurrection they were still pressing Jesus about the reestablishment of the kingdom. To me its a case of hearing what you want to hear and ignoring the rest. JMO
Hi Baron,
You are right that His followers, even though He had told them -- did not fully understand what He had been telling them. This is why Peter denied Him three times, this is why most of His disciples ran away when He was arrested, this is why His disciples were discouraged and went back to fishing after His crucifixion.
Yet, when they did see Him in His resurrected body, they began to believe -- but, still lacked the full illumination which comes only from the Holy Spirit. They believed Him enough to stay in the Upper Room and wait for the gift He promised from God that would come upon them. They believed Him enough to be in prayer and fellowship in the Upper Room for ten days -- waiting for His promised gift from God.
But, they still lacked the full commitment, the courage -- to go out on the streets and teach the Gospel.
When, after waiting ten days in prayer and fellowship, the Holy Spirit did come upon them, the gift from God, and indwell each of them (as it does all believers since then) -- they received power and courage from the Holy Spirit. Then, they went out and preached to the gathered crowd -- and, that day, 3000 believed and were added to the body of Christ, the Christian church. A few days later, under the power of the Holy Spirit, they once again preached and 4000 more were added to the Christian church.
Jennifer, you asked, "Didn't they believe Him?" The answer is yes and no. They wanted to fully believe; yet, until they were indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30) -- they did not have the Spirit given power, discernment, and illumination to be effective witnesses for Christ, to fully believe. This is why He told them to wait until God gave them the indwelling Spirit to sustain, guide, teach, and convict them. After they received the Holy Spirit within them, they became powerful evangelist, powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ -- across the whole known world (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15).
Jennifer, I pray that Baron and I have answered your question sufficiently. However, I do get the feeling that no matter how well anyone answers your questions -- you will reject all answers.
This leads me to a question of my own: Specifically, why are you asking these questions? Is it just so that you can disagree and argue with us -- or do you sincerely want an honest answer?
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill