WHY THE DISCPLES HAD GREAT SUCCESS
Copied from Maria Woodworth-Etter - Collected Works, Whitaker House, (excerpts)
All of us who have read the Acts of the Apostles know that the apostles’ ministry was marvelously successful. Three reasons for the Disciples Success:
First, they preached the Gospel of the kingdom, which is, as I have already stated, a full Gospel for spirit, soul and body. They preached exactly as the Lord told Jeremiah to preach:
Jeremiah 26:2 – Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
They also preached as the Lord told Jonah to preach:
Jonah 3:1-2 – And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
The apostles did not diminish a word of the Gospel of the kingdom. They preached precisely the Gospel that Christ commanded them to preach. God will always honor and bless such preaching.
(Added by editor:
Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:20 – And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
So they did as commanded, and the Lord did as He said He would; AND STILL DOES.)
In the second place, they preached this Gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit, whom they had received on the Day of Pentecost. This is such an essential and all-important factor in preaching that Jesus would not permit them to enter into their great lifework until they had received the divine anointing. Had they not tarried in Jerusalem until this anointing came, the Acts of the Apostles would never have been recorded, and the revivals mentioned in the Book of Acts would never have been reported.
In the third place, God bore witness to their preaching with signs and wonders and with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4). This was as important a factor in their success as either of the others. I am convinced that without these miracles, the Gospel would have made but little progress in pushing it way through the heathen world.
Notice the apostle’s prayer, which shows the estimation that they placed upon miracles, especially the miracle of healing, as an auxiliary to their work:
Acts 4:29-30 – And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Notice now a significant fact, Read the following:
Acts 5:12, 15-16 – And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. …..Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The significant fact is that, in this passage, there is a parenthesis, which reads as follows:
Acts 5:12-14 – And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Why did Luke insert that parenthesis? Did those miracles have anything to do with that multitude of believers, both men and women, being added to the Lord? They constituted a powerful factor in that revival. That was the result in nearly every instance: where miracles were performed, great revivals followed. Read these words:
Acts 6:7-8 – And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people
Is there any relationship between the miracles that Stephen worked and the multiplication of disciples in Jerusalem? There is a most intimate and vital relationship. Take another example:
Acts 8:5-8 – Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
Did the miracles of casting out unclean spirits and healing the lame have anything to do with the people giving heed with one accord to the things that Philip spoke and filling that city with joy/ Very much. Take still another example:
Acts 9:32-35 – And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Raising Dorcas to life was another case that had the same effect!
Acts 9:36-42 – Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
If ministers could cast out devils today in the name of Jesus and lay hands on the sick and have them restored to health, they would not preach to empty benches or mourn over the dearth of revivals. On the contrary, every minister who could do that would have crowded houses and a perpetual revival. That is what God wants His ministers to do, and it is not His fault if they are not able to do it.
There is nothing the Devil hates with more infernal malevolence than divine healing. That is something that is visible, tangible, real, and valuable.
When a lame man is enabled to walk, or a poor epileptic is made well, that is something the unsaved world can see and appreciate. It convinces them of the goodness and loving-kindness of God.
There was a book written entitled, Back to the Bible; and also another book entitled, Back to Pentecost. Does it not occur to these authors that to get back to the Bible and to Pentecost is to get back to miracle-working power?
Such a return would not only secure the baptism of the Spirit, but it would secure the gifts of the Spirit in the working of miracles. Is there anyone taking the track back in that direction?
ADDENDUM: Editor adds the following:
Many preachers deny that healing and the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, as listed in the Bible, are NOT for today.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
However they fail to read in their Bible why the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Corinth:
1 Corinthians 1:7 – so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
We need these power tools to minister God’s love to the lost and win them to Christ! SHOW THEM GOD’S LOVE with the power that HE gave us by His Holy Spirit!
Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Note: “uttermost” refers to both distance and time (Strong’s 2078 – eschatos, from which we get eschatology, the study of the end times, or final events); Uttermost refers to “until He comes”.
Copied from Maria Woodworth-Etter - Collected Works, Whitaker House, (excerpts)
All of us who have read the Acts of the Apostles know that the apostles’ ministry was marvelously successful. Three reasons for the Disciples Success:
First, they preached the Gospel of the kingdom, which is, as I have already stated, a full Gospel for spirit, soul and body. They preached exactly as the Lord told Jeremiah to preach:
Jeremiah 26:2 – Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
They also preached as the Lord told Jonah to preach:
Jonah 3:1-2 – And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
The apostles did not diminish a word of the Gospel of the kingdom. They preached precisely the Gospel that Christ commanded them to preach. God will always honor and bless such preaching.
(Added by editor:
Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:20 – And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
So they did as commanded, and the Lord did as He said He would; AND STILL DOES.)
In the second place, they preached this Gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit, whom they had received on the Day of Pentecost. This is such an essential and all-important factor in preaching that Jesus would not permit them to enter into their great lifework until they had received the divine anointing. Had they not tarried in Jerusalem until this anointing came, the Acts of the Apostles would never have been recorded, and the revivals mentioned in the Book of Acts would never have been reported.
In the third place, God bore witness to their preaching with signs and wonders and with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4). This was as important a factor in their success as either of the others. I am convinced that without these miracles, the Gospel would have made but little progress in pushing it way through the heathen world.
Notice the apostle’s prayer, which shows the estimation that they placed upon miracles, especially the miracle of healing, as an auxiliary to their work:
Acts 4:29-30 – And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Notice now a significant fact, Read the following:
Acts 5:12, 15-16 – And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. …..Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
The significant fact is that, in this passage, there is a parenthesis, which reads as follows:
Acts 5:12-14 – And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Why did Luke insert that parenthesis? Did those miracles have anything to do with that multitude of believers, both men and women, being added to the Lord? They constituted a powerful factor in that revival. That was the result in nearly every instance: where miracles were performed, great revivals followed. Read these words:
Acts 6:7-8 – And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people
Is there any relationship between the miracles that Stephen worked and the multiplication of disciples in Jerusalem? There is a most intimate and vital relationship. Take another example:
Acts 8:5-8 – Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
Did the miracles of casting out unclean spirits and healing the lame have anything to do with the people giving heed with one accord to the things that Philip spoke and filling that city with joy/ Very much. Take still another example:
Acts 9:32-35 – And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Raising Dorcas to life was another case that had the same effect!
Acts 9:36-42 – Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
If ministers could cast out devils today in the name of Jesus and lay hands on the sick and have them restored to health, they would not preach to empty benches or mourn over the dearth of revivals. On the contrary, every minister who could do that would have crowded houses and a perpetual revival. That is what God wants His ministers to do, and it is not His fault if they are not able to do it.
There is nothing the Devil hates with more infernal malevolence than divine healing. That is something that is visible, tangible, real, and valuable.
When a lame man is enabled to walk, or a poor epileptic is made well, that is something the unsaved world can see and appreciate. It convinces them of the goodness and loving-kindness of God.
There was a book written entitled, Back to the Bible; and also another book entitled, Back to Pentecost. Does it not occur to these authors that to get back to the Bible and to Pentecost is to get back to miracle-working power?
Such a return would not only secure the baptism of the Spirit, but it would secure the gifts of the Spirit in the working of miracles. Is there anyone taking the track back in that direction?
ADDENDUM: Editor adds the following:
Many preachers deny that healing and the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, as listed in the Bible, are NOT for today.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
However they fail to read in their Bible why the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Corinth:
1 Corinthians 1:7 – so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
We need these power tools to minister God’s love to the lost and win them to Christ! SHOW THEM GOD’S LOVE with the power that HE gave us by His Holy Spirit!
Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Note: “uttermost” refers to both distance and time (Strong’s 2078 – eschatos, from which we get eschatology, the study of the end times, or final events); Uttermost refers to “until He comes”.
