- The manipulation of the church begins when the value for the apostles’ word is lost. In Acts 21, we see that Paul goes to Jerusalem and finds none of the apostles, only the elders of the church and James, who had become their leader. There was no longer any appreciation for the apostles’ word (Acts 21:18).
- When Peter wrote his two letters, he was no longer in Jerusalem, because there was no more room in that church. No one was hearing the prophetic word anymore. So he writes to the scattered Jewish believers — those who had suffered great persecution after Stephen’s death. He encourages them to always value the prophetic word (1 Foot 1 :1; 2 Pet 3:1-2).
- Shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70, the church in that city was no longer doing God’s will; instead, it returned to practicing the law. Within God’s plan, it became no different from Judaism. Peter, however, continued to feed those who still followed the prophetic word. Let us continue to care for our fellow servants (2 Peter 1:19).
- We must recognize our inability and trust not in ourselves, but in God, who has the power to do His work. If we live this way, we will never give in to pressure to renounce the truth of the gospel. We will be firm, absolute, and fearless! Never give up! (2 Cor. 3:5; Gal. 2:4-5; Heb. 10:39) (Daily Food, Book 2, Week 1, Sunday, p. 21).
Did you know that we also have kids’ immersion? Click here to do it with your child: KIDS IMMERSION