As we start to read the Christian Greek Scriptures, (New Testament,) we find first the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; They are more or less parallel gospel accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus. Following them is the book of Acts (of the apostles) which documents the birth of the early church; Just after Jesus was killed and resurrected to heaven. One of the first accounts we find is the pouring out of holy spirit on the members of that early congregation, or Christian organization.

Jesus had power of holy spirit when he was alive on earth (he still does of course). He could raise the dead, heal the sick, walk on water, forgive sins, and explain truth to the poor and down trodden. (Matthew 11:5; Matthew 9:2) Moses also had power of holy spirit when he presented himself as God's representative. As proof he was who he claimed, Moses split the red sea and demonstrated many other miracles. (Exodus 14:21-22) The early Christian congregation was no different: Holy spirit was given them to identify who they were. We find the record of this happening in Acts. The Bible tells us a noise out of heaven filled the whole house they were in such that all in the area took note, and tongues as if of fire appeared over the heads of individual Christians. They started to speak in different tongues, so that each person could understand in their own language. (Matthew 24:14) Under power of holy spirit Christ's followers reiterated the message Jesus had taught them, and explained how Jesus had poured out this holy spirit on their group. Thus it identified and gave credibility to them and the continuation of Jesus's work of spreading the good news of God's kingdom. (Acts 2:14-42)

The question naturally arises: If those early Christians who had faith could perform miracles in their day, why can't we who have faith do so today? Does the lack of miracles today imply the things we read from the Bible are not true? Not at all! Jesus Christ set the world on it's ear. (Romans 1:8) He is rightly the most famous person who has ever lived. Our modern calendar system is based on his birth and there are few people who have lived since his day who do not know his name. Jesus taught something significant about such gifts though, he said those gifts would be done away with and replaced with faith, hope, and love. (1 Corinthians 13:8&13)

People could place faith in those early Christians by sight; They could see clear evidence they were who they claimed to be. (They still had to exercise faith God would do what these Christians claimed of course.) Jesus said in the last days persons would live by faith and not by sight. (Romans 1:17b; 2 Corinthians 5:7) If you could raise your dead loved ones back to life, and do what ever else you wanted, would you then need faith? No, you would have the reality of the new system, and faith would no longer be needed. As God's kingdom exercises control of earth's affairs, God will help us do what ever needs done, through power of holy spirit. Not to imply we will need to raise the dead or heal the sick in the future; It is for God to decide what powers we will have. The point is, God will help us accomplish what ever it is we need to accomplish. Those early Christians were filled with holy spirit to demonstrate they were who they claimed to be, as they gave directions and expounded the teachings of Jesus. Their teachings tied to Christianity all that had come before: The law code, and the other gifts and protections provided the Jewish nation, including the miracles of Moses and others, all led to Christianity. Jesus was a Jew; he fulfilled the law and he became king of the kingdom that would accomplish all the promises made to Abraham and other faithful men of the Jewish nation. (Daniel 2:44) The miracles performed by the early Christians gave credibility to their teachings. People truly believed in those teachings; They believed so strongly they would be fed alive to lions rather than deny that "truth." As what needed to be taught by them was completed, and the Bible canon was closed, those miracles stopped. (1 Corinthians 13:8&13) Today we have the evidence recorded in the completed Bible to help us live by faith. God still uses his holy spirit to help people, but likely not through outward miracles. His eyes are still roving about in the earth to show his power in behalf of all whose heart is complete toward him, but not by helping them in ways ones can say "look what God did for me." Jesus had the problem that people followed after him seeking the food he provided. That was not what he wanted to teach them, to seek only the reward. He was teaching them to love Jehovah because God is good, and because He deserves to be loved. Of course, those who love Jehovah and are loyal to him will be blessed immeasurably, but that is not why we must love him. We must love him because He is good, and it is the right thing to do; Because he deserves it! (Revelation 4:11) The reward is a result of that love but not the only reason for it. In this period, while we live by faith, it provides a wonderful opportunity for us to learn to serve for the right reason. The Bible teaches us that even Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8) Jesus had always been obedient. How then could he learn obedience? Through all his time with his father, he had only been rewarded and loved life in the joy of Jehovah's presence. (Proverbs 8:30-31) Jesus had that joy because of who his Father Jehovah is. (Revelation 4:11) When Jesus came to earth, he learned for the first time about being obedient when it cost something. It cost Jesus the very most a man can give to be obedient to his Father: His very life, and that by a horrendous death! Still, Jesus was perfectly obedient. Although Jesus had always been perfectly obedient, he learned obedience by the things he suffered.

By that action of obedience under unjust abuse, Jesus upheld his Father's sovereignty; God's right to rule and make decisions. Jesus was and is perfect and has kingdom power. If there were any place to improve on Jehovah's rule, Jesus would try to do so. Jesus gave his very life rather than veer from the course his father set before him. As the resurrected King over all creation, if there were any smallest spot to improve on his Father's rule, Jesus would try to make it. What Jesus will rather do, is return the kingdom to his Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24) Jesus thus demonstrates Jehovah's rule and will is perfect in all ways. No one will ever again be permitted to raise his heel against our Father or question his established rule. The witness will have been given, has been given actually, that God is good. Badness will not be tolerated.

Did you know the book of Acts actually demonstrates that as well. Jesus was very tolerant of human weakness when he was on earth. (Luke 23:34; Matthew 16:23) During this period while all these individuals were being filled with holy spirit however, and ones were living by sight rather than faith, forgiveness was not so easy. When Ananias and Saphria decided to rebel against the leadings of the holy spirit and be deceitful with their brothers, they were struck dead. They were struck down by that same holy spirit which was granting those Christians their power. Recognizing truth brings responsibility. Being able to freely draw on Jehovah's spirit brings much more! Ananias and Saphria were being moved by holy spirit just as were the others. They wanted to be "in the group" and appear righteous, but still wanted to keep some material things. Their concern for what others might think of them was more important to them than Jehovah as the provider of that gift of holy spirit. The money was theirs. No one demanded they give their belongs, they chose to do so. But why did they want to do so? Because it was the right thing to do, or for the reward of being liked by their friends. They went against the leadings of the holy spirit and were struck dead for their doing so. (Acts 5:1-11)

Those early Christians had power of holy spirit and performed all those miracles to prove they were who they claimed to be. The Bible canon is now closed, and we all today choose to place faith in the Bible, or we choose not to. That is the only important decision any of us are really making with our lives. If we can help others, that is a very good thing. Remember though, God doesn't need us to do anything. Jesus said the stones would cry out if no one else did. (Luke 19:36-40) By our showing love for others, we demonstrate we place faith in the teachings of Christ. We must do so because we love God because He is good; because it is the right thing to do. The reward will of course come, but that can not be our motive. What a wonder the truth of the Bible is, able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart! (Hebrews 4:12)

As we endure in our faith, the tested quality of our faith reveals what we have used our free will to become: One who loves our heavenly father and is obedient, or one who does not love him at all. (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-9) That is the only thing we do with our lives that has any real and lasting importance. The love displayed by or being kind and helpful to others is simply the indication of what choice we are making, or have made. If our only desire is to be lords over and to use others, we are having our reward in full. (Matthew 6:2) Being a lord among imperfect men is sad little reward to trade off against the hope of eternal life under the Kingdom of Christ. Praise Jehovah through Christ Jesus and live; (Acts3_19-21) Praise Jah you people. (Psalms 113:1-9)

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