Sixth Appearance

Sixth appearance (1 Cor. 15: 6)

The sixth appearance was to five hundred brethren according to 1 Cor. 15: 6. As the news of His resurrection spread the believers began to gather from different places, where they had been hiding. The number reached to them who gathered together in one place. By this appearance we see how we can experience His power of resurrection when we meet together as one family overcoming all man-made differences. The Lord Jesus Christ prayed before He went to garden of Gethsemane, “That they all may be one as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17: 21). In this chapter we have the record of the most inspiring prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ. He prays for four-fold oneness among us as believers. Firstly oneness in relationship; secondly, oneness in love; thirdly, oneness in perfection; fourthly oneness in glory. The more we live together as one family, forgetting all national, communal and social differences, the more closely are we drawn to our Lord. As the same time our closeness to the Lord and to one another helps us to appropriate His power with stronger faith. In these days we find believers being divided over trifles. This brings a great spiritual loss to many and results in prolonged infancy in some. Wherever believers gather as one family under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ with forbearance towards, and service to one another with true love, we find much spiritual growth, a deeper understanding of the word of God and the ability to enjoy His abiding presence. We see from God’s Word that wherever the early Christians came together as one family, the Lord worked deeply and freely. This has been our experience always for the past 34 years, especially during Holy Convocation, which have been held in different parts of India. In these times of fellowship we have the privilege to welcome and serve all equally without any partiality.