SOME LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ACTS 1

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: Chapter 1—THE COMMANDMENTS GIVEN TO THE DISCIPLES BY JESUS CHRIST

1 THE FORMER ACCOUNT I MADE, O Theophilus, OF ALL THAT JESUS BEGAN BOTH TO DO AND TEACH,
2 until the day in which He was taken up, AFTER HE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD GIVEN COMMANDMENTS TO THE APOSTLES WHOM HE HAD CHOSEN,
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
4 AND BEING ASSEMBLED TOGETHER WITH THEM, HE COMMANDED THEM NOT TO DEPART FROM JERUSALEM, BUT TO WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, “WHICH,” HE SAID, “YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME;
5 for John truly baptized with water, BUT YOU SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT NOT MANY DAYS FROM NOW.”
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”
Acts 1:1–8 (NKJV)

• Jesus gave instructions or commandments to His disciples before He ascended (Acts 1:2).

• One of the significant instructions given by Christ Jesus, which we have the record, is found in verse number 4 of that same Chapter 1 of the Acts: "AND BEING ASSEMBLED TOGETHER WITH THEM, HE [Jesus] COMMANDED THEM NOT TO DEPART FROM JERUSALEM, BUT TO WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER, “WHICH,” HE SAID, “YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME."
  a. They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5).
  b. They would receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on them, and be His, Jesus', witnesses: "BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

• Jesus told the Disciples to wait or tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power (Acts 1:4).
a. The ministry work cannot be done without the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5).
b. It cannot be done with the arm of the flesh; thus, for fruitfulness in witnessing, preaching or teaching, or whatever form of ministerial work; the help of the Holy Spirit is ultimately needed (John 14:16,17; 16:13,14).
c. To walk in the miraculous; having signs and wonders to back your ministry work—your ministrations to people—the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a must.

• Luke the writer of the Book of Acts wrote: "IN my first book I told you, Theophilus, ABOUT EVERYTHING JESUS BEGAN TO DO AND TEACH" (Acts 1:1 NLT).

• A leader must do or practice whatever he or she teaches. The Word of God which you did not apply to your life should not be taught.
• The life of a leader should be a model or an example for others to follow (1 Peter 5:3). Apostle Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers and every believer in Christ Jesus: "BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV).
• The life of a leader should give direction to the people under his or her leadership.
• Note: Whoever you are following, As a believer, be sure the person is following the Lord Jesus Christ: "BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 11:1).
  a. If the person misses it, do not follow that.
  b. You keep following as long as the person, the minister, is still following Christ Jesus.
• Since leadership is influence; you should be able to influence the people under your leadership with a godly character that could be learnt and emulated in your life by the followers. The godly character that would make them firm and steadfast in Christ Jesus—God.
  TO BE CONTINUED

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
• Whatever is not of God in your system that is working against your wellness and good health, such is rebuked and completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!