Follow My Example(1Cor. 11:1)

Apostle Paul urged in the First Corinthians chapter 11 and verse 1, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Luke who knew well Paul more than any other described that Paul and his fellow Christians continuously followed the example of Christ.

Luke portrayed the ascension to Jerusalem as one characteristic of Jesus' life. This ascension, what Jews call "aliyah," was a way of suffering or a way of crucifixion. So Jesus had to complete His journey in continual prayers and fullness of the Holy Spirit. There were numerous crises in the process that the Gospel was spread in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Nevertheless, the source that the Christian churches were able to keep on spreading widely and to grow in faith, in power and in numbers was because the Christians continuously followed the example of Jesus who ascended to Jerusalem in continual prayers and fullness of the Holy Spirit. In addition, Luke placed great emphasis on innocence and purity as another characteristic of Jesus' life. Jesus was pure; so those who opposed had found in Him no guilt demanding death (Luke 23:22, Acts 13:28). So were Paul and his fellow Christians. They were pure; so those who opposed had found in them no guilt demanding death (Acts 25:25, 28:18).

Luke also explained that the challenges or the forceful advances of the New Testament people clad in the armor of innocence, purity, prayer and fullness of the Holy Spirit marching on toward the new land and new kingdom in Heaven was the source of the power that enabled them to pass through numerous crises and to change them into opportunities. This power may be with you who participate in the Lord's Table.