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The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher Focus

Text: John 16.12-13

Soon after the establishment of the Lord’s church, persecution of the believers became an ordinary and “to be expected” matter. Starting with Peter and John (Acts 4) and continuing throughout the entirety of the book of Acts, either the Jewish establishment or the Romans acting “on behalf” of the Jews proved to be perennial enemies of the cross. Stephen was the first Christian martyr of whom we read in the Bible (see Acts 7), but he was not to be the last. James, the brother of John, was executed by Herod, the intention being to also kill Peter (see Acts 12.1-19).

What possible motivation did the followers of Jesus have for remaining faithful to His cause, for rendering unwavering testimony as to the truthfulness of the resurrection accounts, and for receiving such ill-treatment and threats against their lives? They did not hope to become political figures in as much as they knew that the Lord’s kingdom was not of this world (John 18.36). They certainly did not hope to become rich in this world’s goods in as much as the monies that they were party to collecting were disbursed among all, especially to those who were in need (see Acts 6). Their character was marked by unselfishness and concern for others, and not greed or the lust for power. As far as can be determined, not a single man of the twelve who stood on Pentecost ever turned their back on Jesus; every one of them remained faithful unto death. This says something for the strength of conviction that gripped each and every witness’s heart!

Contrast this strength of conviction with movements initiated by man. The complete and perfect will of the Christ was revealed during the first century in fulfillment of the promises He gave to the apostles when He said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16.12-13). When “all truth” was revealed to the apostles, there was no more truth to reveal! All other professed revelations are too little and too late. The revelations which Joseph Smith Jr. professed to receive would be included in this group of “too little and too late” revelations. In addition to the issue with the timing of Smith’s revelation, the credibility of the witnesses is also a question that simply will not go away; some sources report that all three of the witnesses recanted at one time or another, but it is for certain that at least one of them was less than forthcoming in his statements about what he saw and heard!

Men of sound mind do not hazard their lives for causes in which they do not believe. The apostles knew from empirical evidences which they personally witnessed that Jesus was the resurrected Messiah; no amount of coercion or threats could erase or weaken their conviction in this matter. Their hope was not in some earthly reward, but their lives were spent in pursuit of the reward that Jesus had promised in the world to come! The devotees of Jesus, especially those who were eyewitnesses, simply could not be dissuaded of the facts they knew to be true. Their lives were literally counted as nothing and that only because of what they stood to gain should they remain true to their convictions. [continued].

Questions:

1. What assurance do we have that the revelation of Jesus Christ was completed in the first century? 2. If the revelation of Jesus was completed in the first century, what are the implications regarding modern-day “revelations” such as the Book of Mormon or similar books? 3. Witnesses have various depths of conviction based on the evidence they witnessed. What weight does the conviction of apostles have in determining the truthfulness of their story? 4. Do rational men willingly die for causes in which they do not believe? If the apostles were rational men and they willingly died for the cause of Christ, what of their depth of conviction?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God