Jesus and the People of the Way

The mystery of life coming out of death is everywhere present in the created world: morning comes out of night, spring breaks out of winter, and flowers bud after being planted. Jesus spoke of this mystery of life when he said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, 'Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.'"

The early followers of Jesus recognized that the death and resurrection of Jesus was crucial to their belief and to their experiences in the kingdom of God. They also soon began to realize that their life experiences were mirroring the death and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, the early disciples of Jesus did not identify themselves as Christians. Accordingly, to the Acts of the apostles, the early followers of Jesus seem to be known as the people of the way. Encountering death-producing circumstances, they experienced being raised to newness of life in Christ.

Paul, when challenged by a Roman governor to speak of "concerning the faith in Christ," "reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come." In one sentence, Paul encapsulated the Christian's experiences in life. The follower of Jesus experienced righteousness (led of the Spirit), temperance (not being controlled by enticements), and judgment to come (brought to a place of temptations, a place of growth or stagnation).

Believers in every generation have not only the promise of experiencing resurrection life in their "mortal flesh," but they also have been told of the process by which it happens. The revelations contained in this book will reveal how every believer can be identified with Jesus and the people of the way. All the power and the glory of the kingdom of God can be experienced in this life, for "the way" has been revealed.