The Promise of the Father

The Lord was prepared to ascend and “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3), and he said to the eleven apostles: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Reading the words, “the promise of the Father,” makes us question, to what was Jesus pointing?

There are some key words that help us understand the answer. Such as 1) “tarry”, 2) “city of Jerusalem,” and 3) “endued with power from on high.” These words form a relationship with the men receiving “the promise of my Father.” In order words, the promise would be fulfilled in Jerusalem and it would be identified with their being “endued with power from on high.” The word “tarry” (Greek, meno) means “to abide” (Vine, page 1133). However, before they could “tarry” in Jerusalem, they would have to leave “the Mount called Olive”, their present location and go to Jerusalem (Acts 1:12). Therefore, in the word “tarry” Jesus is commanding the apostles to go to Jerusalem and stay until they were “endued with power from on high.”

The words, “city of Jerusalem,” are related to the prophesy of the coming kingdom; thus, in these words Jesus is bringing together the Old Testament prophesies and the apostles being “endued with power from on high.” The kingdom, which Christ would establish, would be in Jerusalem. Isaiah wrote: “…in the last days…the LORD’s house (kingdom) shall be established … and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:2-4). However, before the establishment of the kingdom of Christ, the apostles would have to be “endued with power from on high.” The “word of the LORD” would be the “new covenant” of which Jeremiah spoke: “the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant…not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt…the covenant …I will put my law in their inward parts, and write them in their hearts….” (Jer. 31:31-34). The prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Joel, where in he wrote: “it shall come to pass afterward, that I will put out my spirit…and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for … in Jerusalem shall be deliverance…” (Joel 2:28-32); all point to the same time, place, and events. But, standing between them and fulfillment is the apostles being “endued with power from on high” which is “the promise of the Father.”

On the day of Pentecost following Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and his being seated at “the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Matthias being “numbered with the eleven apostles,” “…they were all with one accord in one place…they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance….Peter standing up with the eleven…said…this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: and it shall come to pass in the last days…” (Acts 1:26-2:21). Please notice that we have the right people, the apostles of Christ. We have the right place, Jerusalem. We have the right events taking place: the Holy Spirit endued them with power from on high, the new law was made known, and deliverance – salvation – was given. We have the right time, “the last days.” As Peter answered the question: “men and brethren, what shall we do?” when he said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:37-38).

Yes, the apostles of Christ where “endued with power from on high,” and the terms of salvation were given. Will you believe and obey these terms?

Frank R. Williams

Folk Remedies?!

To Cure the Chicken Pox: Sit in the hen house for an hour.

To Cure a Backache: Let a seventh child walk seven times up and down your back.

Eye Problems: Wear earrings to prevent blindness.

Sore Throat: Take off your right sock at night and while it’s warm, tie it around your neck. Let it remain there all night.

Headache: Wear a match in your hair to prevent headaches.

To Stop a Nosebleed: Drop a key down the back of the suffer.

To Cure Chills and Fever: Pull down the covers as if going to bed and then get under the bed. The chills and fever will be fooled and leave you alone.

To Cure a Tooth-Ache: Pick up a rock, spit under it, and put it back like it was.

Business Meeting Today After Morning Services