June/July 2019 - Vol. 104

discipleship of ecumenism -
                  followers of Christ 

Extending God's Kingdom
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“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
and you shall be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”
– Acts 1:8

In This Issue
Do you know the voice of your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, who calls you each and every day to follow him? And do you know the power of his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit? Today we witness a new Pentecost and outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God who listen to the voice of their Savior and Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

A new ecumenism of discipleship
Jesus told his first disciples (followers),
"I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one  shepherd" (John 10:16). Today we witness a new ecumenism of discipleship and a new evangelization and call to make disciples of all nations, peoples, languages, and tribes of the earth. [See James Kushiner's article on Ecumenism of Discipleship.]

John the Baptist prophesied that the Messiah would "baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16). We see this fufilled at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit marked with the sign of tongues of fire over the heads of the first disciples gathered together in prayer on the Feast of Pentecost. Before his departure into heaven, Jesus explained the reason for this extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit:
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses to the ends of the earth” – Acts 1:8
The transforming power and fire of the Holy Spirit
The Lord Jesus continues to give his disciples today the power and fire of the Holy Spirit that we may radiate the joy and truth of the Gospel to a world in desperate need of God's light and truth. His word has power to change and transform our lives that we may be burning lights pointing others to Jesus Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to give witness to the light and truth of Jesus Christ. Do you want the Lord's power, grace, and love to burn brightly in your life? Ask him to renew in you the grace of Pentecost and a thirst for holiness and zeal to extend Christ's kingdom through the witness of your life and testimony.


May this issue inspire each of us to pray fervently for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all disciples of Christ throughout the world today that we may grow in unity and love for one another and for boldness to bring the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ to every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth.

Sincerely in Christ,
Don Schwager
editor



Top illustration of disciples from the nations following Jesus Christ (c) by Rachel Chung
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