With this message we are continuing our series on The Risen Christ by again looking at Jesus’ first interaction with his disciples following his resurrection from the dead. The first words out his mouth were a proclamation of peace. Then he gave them their purpose. Now, he assures them that they will not be alone. And with this assurance comes the next gift we receive, power. Let’s explore that together.
The Holy Spirit:
- Convicts (John 16:8)
- Regenerates (John 3:5-8)
- Enables (1 Corinthians 12:3)
- Justifies (1 Corinthians 6:11)
- Adopts (Romans 8:15)
- Indwells (Romans 8:11)
- Illuminates (John 16:13)
- Intercedes (Romans 8:26)
- Leads (Acts 16:6-7)
- Fills (Ephesians 5:18)
- Empowers (Acts 1:8)
- Sanctifies (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Speaks (Acts 13:2)
- Unifies (Ephesians 4:1-3)
- Cultivates intimacy (John 14:23)
- Glorifies Christ (John 16:14)
- Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7)
The disciples and their travels:
- Peter (Simon Peter) – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Pontus, Galatia, Cappodocia, Rome
- Andrew – Scythia, Thrace, Greece (Achaia, Patras)
- James (son of Zebedee) – Jerusalem, Judea
- John – Jerusalem, Ephesus, Asia Minor, Patmos
- Philip – Phrygia (Hierapolis), Greek-speaking communities
- Bartholomew (Nathanael) – Armenia, India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia
- Thomas (Didymus) – Parthia, India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia
- Matthew (Levi) – Judea, Persia, Parthia, Ethiopia
- James (son of Alphaeus) – Judea, Edessa, Syria, Egypt
- Jude (Thaddeus/Lebbaeus) – Mesopotamia, Armenia, Persia, Syria
- Simon the Zealot – Persia, Armenia, Egypt, North Africa (varied traditions)
- Matthias – Judea, Cappadocia, Caspian Sea coasts, Colchis (Georgia)