Musing – How Do We Know the Apostles Were “Saved”?

Hebraic Musing – How Do We Know the Apostles Were “Saved”?

Short answer – by their “salvation testimonies.”  Have you noticed how some of their “testimonies” were recorded or reported by the Gospel writers, their brothers in Christ?  Here are a few recorded testimonies:

Andrew abandoned John the Baptist to become an early follower of Jesus of Nazareth.  “Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John (the Baptist) had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42 NIV  (First evangelist?)

Nathaniel’s – "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.  Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."  Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." John 1:48-49

John’s – On Sunday morning, John tells us he outran Peter to the empty tomb.  “Finally the other disciple (John), who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)”  John 20:8-9 

Peter’s -- Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Matt 16:16-17

John, the Baptist – “Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.  He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Christ.’ John 1:19-20  When pestered “Who are you”  “John the Baptist replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.’'"  John 1:23 

Apostles in the boat when Peter walked on the water – “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’"  Matt 14:33 

Two of the twelve disciples (not sure which ones) encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,”  Luke 24:30-31

Paul’s popular testimony is retold by Luke when writing the Book of Acts 9:3-6 “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’  ‘Who are you, Lord?’  Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.  "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’  
And after counsel, in Acts 22:16  Ananias said “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”

Disciples hiding in a room after Resurrection Day “Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’  And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”  John 20:21-22

Mine – On August 26, 1977, I heard a man I admired thanking Jesus for the words he had just spoken to me; and I fell to my knees saying “Jesus Christ, you are real!  I need to learn more about you.”  And I knew I would never be the same.  And I have not been the same since!

Yours – What is your testimony?  When, how and what happened when you made Christ your Lord?  Tell me and receive 500 points; or 1,000 points for a written one page testimony (points are redeemable in heaven).

 Point to ponder

What is the purpose of having a ready testimony of your salvation experience?
(a) For witnessing?     (b) Reminder to ourselves?   (c) or Both

“1 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;” Rev 12:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                               November 14, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Suggested three part outline for a testimony, whether short or long:
            1. What was life like before?     2. What happened?     3. What has life been like since?