7: What the Apostles Said | Biblestudy4Starters Chapters

End Times: Great Tribulation

Chapter 7. What Did the Apostles Say?

What Did the Apostles Say?

Abstract

What Did the Apostles Say about Tribulation?

Paul went through stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often and in Acts 14 he teaches, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Peter in 1 Peter 2 states that Christ Jesus suffered and set an example for us to follow in His foot steps not retaliating in any hostile manner and forgiving even our enemies.
The author of Hebrews stated, “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection”, while he also recommends to look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross”.
One conclusion derived from the message of the Apostles, Paul, Peter and the author of Hebrews is that we must persevere to the end despite adversities in life, trusting and looking unto Jesus knowing that His grace is sufficient for us.

Acts 4:29-31

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

The Apostles knew how to pray ... they knew they needed the Holy Spirit, the Only One who could give them boldness and courage; without Him they -including us- can do nothing.
Once they were filled with the Holy Ghost all things were possible, and once we are filled till overflowing with the Presence of the Holy Ghost all things are possible.

About Paul in Acts 14:19-22 [A.D. 63-64]

"Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

Paul as a follower of Christ Jesus suffered many tribulations such as being stoned, he therefore also states that to enter the Kingdom of God one will need to go through many tribulations.

Paul states in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 [A.D. 56]

"Are they ministers of Christ? - I speak as a fool - I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure,

in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often,
in hunger and thirst, in fasting often,

in cold and nakedness - besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches."

Paul knows all about being persecuted and going through tough and painful trials, and proving His real and authentic love for Christ Jesus.
He had to overcome compulsory hunger and thirst, but he also voluntarily fasted often to strengthen his faith.

Peter states in 1 Peter 2:21-25 [A.D. 62-64]

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return;

when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

Peter in 1 Peter 2 states that Christ Jesus suffered and set an example for us to follow in His foot steps not retaliating in any hostile manner and forgiving even our enemies. Jesus was and is the ultimate sinless Lamb of God.

Hebrews 11:35-38, [A.D. 66-70]

"Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mocking's and scourging's, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword.

They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

Hebrews 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

The author of Hebrews mentions, “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection”, while he gives an important recommendation to look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross”.
One conclusion derived from the message of the Apostles is that we must persevere to the end despite adversities in life, trusting and looking unto Jesus knowing that His grace is sufficient for us.

by Dennis V. Dare

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