Pastor A

Today we begin with “Dr.” Luke. The writer of the third Gospel also set down the history of the early church as recorded in the book of Acts. Unlike the other Gospel writers, Luke was a physician and a Gentile. That means, of course, that he was not one of the twelve disciples, for they were all Jews.

Again, the question probably comes to your mind, where did Luke get his information in order to write his book? Well, like Mark, Luke was also a companion of the Apostle Paul. In writing Acts, he often used the pronoun “we” to describe what he and Paul did together. No doubt Luke talked with men who were eyewitnesses to the life of the Lord.

The fourth writer of the Gospels is considered the “beloved” disciple. The writer of this last Gospel record was one of the twelve disciples and perhaps the youngest. Along with Peter and James, he was the closest of the Lord’s companions. Jesus apparently had a special affection for John who, although at first he was what we would call a “hot head,” because of his quick temper, turned out to exemplify the patient love he so often wrote about, especially in his letters: I, II, and III John.

Here, then, are the four men whom God chose to be the biographers of His Son. Were it not for their written records, we would have no reliable, first-hand accounts of the life of Christ.

Tomorrow we will examine how God used four vastly different men to help us see Christ!

Don’t try today; DO today!

Although Jesus chose twelve men to be His disciples. He devoted much of His attention to three of the twelve: Peter, John, and James Zebedee. As a member of this “inner circle,” James Zebedee was privileged to witness several important events in Jesus’ ministry. He was with the Master when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.

He was a witness to the incredible Transfiguration of Christ on a Judean mountain. He was there during Jesus’ lonely experience in the garden of Gethsemane. And, undoubtedly, James Zebedee was present during numerous events in Jesus’ ministry which are not recorded in the Scriptures. Every day for more than three years in the school of discipleship, he was taught by the Master Himself. But, like the others, James Zebedee was a “slow learner.”

Not until after the Resurrection and the life-empowering experiences of the Day of Pentecost did he begin to live in “total identification” with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, James Zebedee did allow the Master to control him completely; and once he had done this, he was ready to serve, to suffer, and to die for Christ. Although his ministry was brief, James Zebedee holds the honorable distinction of being the first disciple to die for his faith.

You may never have to suffer physical punishment and death for your faith in Christ. But you must be willing to, if necessary. By willingly yielding your life each day into the Master’s control, you will be prepared to live the life of identification with Jesus Christ. As you die daily to self and to sin, you can discover the joyous truth recorded in Galatians 2:20.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.“

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus solemnly told the twelve: “Ye shall drink indeed of my cup.” He was referring to the bitter cup of persecution, suffering and death. The first of the disciples to drink of that cup was James, the son of Zebedee. The early church had begun to grow remarkably when “about that time Herold the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” Acts 12:1-2

James paid the ultimate price of true discipleship: he gave his life for the One Whose blood purchased eternal life for him. But James was not the only disciple to drink of the cup. In fact, of the eleven faithful ones of the twelve, only John lived to old age. All of the others died as martyrs. They followed the pattern of James Zebedee who set the example of the total identification with Christ.

Today, some two thousand years later, few, if any, within the United States die for their faith in Christ. In spite of this, identification with Jesus Christ should be the objective of every believer. But how is this possible? And what does it mean to “identify with Christ?” Some answers can be discovered in the Biblical doctrine of separation.

One of the most provocative words in the Christian vocabulary is “separation.” The very mention of this word is often the spark which ignites a very un-Christian argument. Ironically, disagreement betweeen Christians about “separation” usually results in only one thing: it separates them!

The Bible does not define “separation” as clearly as many Christians do. All too often, sincere, well-meaning believers have taken it upon themselves to take up where the Word of God left off; and they have created lists upon lists of things “separated Christians” do not do. This common practice has resulted in the formation of a false doctrine of separation. This “doctrine” would be perfectly acceptable were it not for one problem: it was invented by men. Colossians 2:20-23 “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.“

This “false doctrine of separation” is a negative doctrine. The Biblical doctrine, however, is both positive and negative. A careful examination of key passages bear this out. So, over the next few days we will delve into this topic of separation using the Word as our guidebook on this topic.