Editorial – Apostolos Missions International

AM USA Weekly Bible Study Group Shares Grace and Fellowship

bethelight — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 23:09:27 +0000

AM USA continues to hold weekly bible study with students from different states across the US. During this time of bible study, they are studying the deeper spiritual meaning of the Gospel messages from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and how it applies to them.

The attendees are receiving much grace from the studies and are testifying how thankful they are for fellowship with other young believers in Christ.

“I am so thankful that my sister invited me to this bible study group. It is really thankful to God because I have been in a hard season but everything from today’s lesson is exactly what I needed for my situation. The Lord has brought me deep comfort,” shared a newcomer who was excited to bring more of her friends and siblings to join bible study.

Another sister from Chicago shared, “Wow, this bible study was confirmation for me. As a new Christian it has been difficult for me to share to people why I now believe in the Lord. But this gave me confirmation and encouragement to be firm and bold in my witness to them.”

May the Lord lead many young US natives to find hope and salvation through AM USA bible studies!

AM Latin America Pioneers New Cities, Determined to Spread the Gospel

bethelight — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:33:06 +0000

AM latin missionaries from Colombia were sent on a mission to pioneer new cities and countries for the continued expansion of Latin mission.

Two brothers were sent to Cúcuta, a city in Colombia. Their mission will be to establish a strong chapter in this city as they carry out the mission that had started in this city the previous year.

Similar, a sister was sent to Mexico, a country in Central America. There she has already began the evangelism and gaining contacts from the students at the local universities.

The goal of all the missionaries is to go onto the college campuses and spread the Gospel through bible studies. May our missionaries be protected and guided by the Holy Spirit on their journey.

AM LA Chapter Established with New Volunteer

bethelight — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 22:16:53 +0000

A new AM chapter has been set up in Los Angeles as a new volunteer has joyfully agreed to lead the mission for the AM LA chapter.

Recently, this brother in Christ joined the summer internship held at AM headquarters during the past two weeks where he participated closely in community life and fellowship. As a volunteer, he will spend evangelizing, teaching bible study, studying the Word, attending church services, and meetings. He will also help AM HQ with projects like creating the website intro video.

There is a lot of potential for evangelism, as Los Angeles’ population is 3.86 million. A few of the colleges in the area include the University of Southern California, UCLA, Loyola Marymount, and the California Institute of Technology.

We are thankful that a new AM chapter has been opened. We pray that the Lord will continue to call and touch the hearts of the youth in the USA so that more can join the call to missions!

AM Global Network Monthly Service: “Do Not Work for Food that Spoils”

bethelight — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 18:07:44 +0000

With the deep heart to share of the saving grace found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, AM Global network leaders and volunteers gathered for the August monthly service to be ignited yet again with the power of the Holy Spirit. Through this time of service, they could receive grace and mission direction for saving one more soul.

Opening the service with a graceful intercessory prayer given by Koray Ozbay, the sermon followed immediately after with a touching message shared by Dr. Deborah Im, the AM Senior Advisor. Sharing on John 6:27, which is the most important verse of this chapter, the leaders and volunteers were reminded of their commission to do the works of God with dignity and loyalty, so that the spiritual hunger and thirst of the many in this world can be truly satisfied through the truth and love of the Lord.

“-But what is our identity? We have this calling in us. And this calling, it is to distribute the food that gives eternal life. We are not in the same place as those who are working in the world, but there is a work that God has given to each of you. This is an honarable position,” said Dr. Deborah.

Taking a look at the news briefing for the past month of mission, the leaders were strengthened to see the work of God at hand through the ministry of AM. The AM Olivet news editor encouraged them to work hard to win one more soul in this month of August, so that greater Glory can be revealed and preciously shared.

After the news briefing, Pastor Josephine, the General Secretary of AM, shared the 360 goal and plans until WGA into achieveable action steps. For the month of August, each chapter is to aim for 12 RM’s and 3 CM’s, for September 24 RM’s and 7 CM’s, and October 40 RM’s and 12 CM’s. To successfully accomplish 360 new members, they were also encouraged to keep the daily mission reports and daily article, with a big focus on online mission.

The service concluded with a prayer for the expansion of AM mission into new C12, M40, G20 countries, and 300 cities. May every AM leader and volunteer dedicate themselves fully for the Gospel of the Lord so that the beautiful vision of feeding over 5,000 weary souls can come to pass one day sooner.

AM USA Preparations for Annual 2023 Summer Internship

bethelight — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:30:15 +0000

Since most colleges in the United States are opening, AM USA is preparing to host students for the summer 2023 internship at the AM HQ in Trenton, New Jersey. This is the perfect and last chance to train students in mission, equipping them to spread the Gospel on their campus powerfully for the Fall semester.

The AM HQ is offering young Christians the opportunity to explore their God-given gifts and talents through real-life experience. Through this, they will be equipped to serve the Kingdom of God in their area of expertise.

Interns will serve and participate in various administrative works at the headquarter level. This includes: research and writing on local and international events, proofreading biblical material, attending staff meetings, and video/social media content creation.

Other activities in the schedule include seminars, worship services, bible studies, and fellowship trips to NYC and Washington, D.C !

The internship dates are August 15th-August 27th.

AM Established New Chapter with Volunteer in Germany

bethelight — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:13:24 +0000

Earlier this week, the graceful news was shared that a new AM chapter was being opened in Germany with a new volunteer. Today on July 27th, 2023 sister Mara Onyeama officially signed as the volunteer for the AM Germany chapter.

Upon signing the volunteer card, Mara shares her reflection of joining AM,

“I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to join such a meaningful ministry that searches for souls at a time when they probably need it the most-young adulthood. It’s the time when you are leaving your parents’ home and guidance and search for meaning. Since I myself realized the Love of God not too long ago, I know how meaningless and alone a life without God is. I didn’t know what my purpose was. I had none. Now I know. God revealed to me that He wants me to be a witness to His glory, and I’m convinced that I can do that here at AM. I thank Pastor Laura for guiding me to AM, and I thank Pastor Josephine for welcoming me with open arms. I’m very eager to serve the Lord and be a witness to Him, especially in a place where AM didn’t have the opportunity to be before.”

Mara will leave for college where she was accepted to attend a univeristy in Amsterdam. During her time in college, she has expressd her desire to open a chapter in Amsterdam where she can continue to grow in her faith through her passion to teach many students the bible.

Please pray for Mara’s spiritual protection during her college years. May the Lord faithfully guide her so that she can be a powerful witness of the Gospel on her campus.

First Session of AM Academy Online Bible Teacher Training Commences

bethelight — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:23:44 +0000

AM Academy held the first session of its online bible teacher training with the network leaders of several regions.

Joined by the leaders from South Asia, USA, and Southeast Asia, they could receive an overview of AM’s phase 1 “Sola Fide,” guidelines to follow when teaching students, and most importantly an in-depth lesson on the main teaching points of Romans 1 which covers classes 1-4.

At the next training session, they will complete the review of classes 1-4 followed by an exam before moving on. Phase 1 has a total of 13 classes.

Please pray for the training. May the English speakers of the AM network be raised as powerful witnesses for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What Does It Mean to be Filled with the Holy Spirit?

bethelight — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:33:54 +0000

Being “filled” with the spirit is often associated with speaking in tongues or being baptized with the Holy Spirit. However, when we look at all the biblical references surrounding what it means to be filled with the spirit, it extends beyond a spiritual gift and sacrament. Luke uses the phrase “filled with the holy spirit” most often, mentioning it three times in his gospel account and five times in the book of Acts.

The Greek word Luke uses is pimplēmi , which can mean “to supply or furnish”. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means to be “equipped” with the ability to do things we otherwise would not be able to do despite our humanistic knowledge or passion.

Luke 1: 13-15

“But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.”

The first reference is found in Luke chapter one, verses 13-15 where an angel appeared to Zacharias and told him he and his wife would bear a son and his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from within his mother’s womb. In verses 39-45 of the same chapter, we see the angel’s prophecy come to fruition when Elizabeth’s child leaps in her womb when Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus, comes to visit her. Being filled with the holy spirit is to be empowered and enlightened to recognize the Messiah.

Luke 1:39-45

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

In verses 67-79 of chapter one, we see Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesying about the coming of the messiah.

Luke 1:67

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;

72 to show the mercy promised to our father and to remember his holy covenant 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

In Acts 2:4-14, Peter is empowered by the spirit to give prophetic testimony about Jesus to the unbelievers. Before the sermon, Peter was speaking in tongues along with the other disciples. However, being filled with the spirit is not always accompanied by speaking in tongues, as other accounts in Luke have shown.

Acts 2:4-14

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

Again, in Acts 4:7-12, Peter gives prophetic testimony about Jesus to unbelievers.

Acts 4:7-12

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

This fulfilled what Jesus said in Luke 12:11-12. This was the second time Peter was “filled” with the spirit. Being filled with the spirit is not a one-time occurrence. It is a recurring event that equips believers with the boldness and ability to carry out God’s will at any given time.

At the end of Acts 4:29-31, the event happens again where the disciples pray to speak the word of God boldly amid unbelievers.

Acts 4:29-31

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Another reference is found in Acts 9, beginning at verse 17, where Ananias comes to Paul to give him back his sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17-22

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

Saul began preaching the gospel boldly before the unbelieving scribes and Pharisees. Saul was a new believer who had previously persecuted other Christians. The Holy Spirit was not only able to change his heart but was able to give him the power to preach the gospel and win souls.

Lastly, in Acts chapter 13, the apostle Paul pronounced God’s judgment on a sorcerer seeking to sabotage the work that Barnabas and Paul were doing.

Acts 13:8-12

8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

In this instance, the unbeliever who witnessed the sorcerer being supernaturally blinded caused him to believe in the Gospel that Paul and Barnabas were preaching.

Aside from Luke, Paul also uses the phrase “filled with the Spirit”, however, his meaning is slightly different. In Ephesians 5, Paul is admonishing believers to be wise and not tolerate sin. In verse 18, Paul tells believers not to be drunk with wine, but to be “filled with the Spirit”.

Ephesians 5:18

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

The word “filled” here in Greek translates to plēroō. One of the meanings of this Greek word is to “fill to the brim”, like filling a glass with liquid. When we apply this understanding of the word filled to the rest of the verse, we can see quite literally that Paul is exhorting believers to be filled with Holy Spirit so they may live holy and righteous lives set apart from the opposite and chaotic ways of the world.

In Galatians chapter 5, verse 23, we see that self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Being filled with the Spirit in the context of Ephesians 5 means walking on the path of sanctification. In this context, we are constantly being filled with the spirit as we fight the good fight. We are not strong enough to live holy, sin-free lives on our own, but the Holy Spirit is with us in the heat of the battle and helps us overcome sinful habits and thoughts we normally struggle with.

Therefore, those of us that have been saved should allow the Holy Spirit to take control over us, instead of giving in to our old fleshly pleasures. Being filled with the spirit also helps us to be aware of those that are trying to deceive us and cause us to stumble as is also seen in Ephesians 5.

As 2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

God wants us to live lives free from the bondage of sin and condemnation. Even though salvation is a gift, we always have a choice to live for God or for ourselves. The Holy Spirit will never force itself on us, but it deeply wants to help us live for Christ. Whether it’s giving testimony about Christ to unbelievers, or possessing the power to live holy lives, there is no denying that being filled with the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift that can help us fulfill God’s call on our lives and help lead souls to Christ. So, let’s remember to ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit!

(Written by Derrick Watson)