I have written this week with the Lord’s help about Staying Connected to Christ. The scripture text for this article comes from the book of John. The author of this book is John, the beloved disciple, who is also called “the Apostle of Love.” He also wrote I John, II John, III John and the book of Revelation. The book of John was written to the church in general in response to an appeal from the Apostolic Church for deeper truths of the gospel. This book is considered to be the deepest and most spiritual book of the Bible. The book of John was written with the purpose of presenting Christ to all Christians as the Incarnate Word of God. (John 1:1, 2) says = In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. This book is different and presents Christ in a different way. John shows Jesus’ divinity and humanity combined in one individual. Jesus is God and man! The book of John also gives us a look or revelation of the fatherhood of God. Jesus speaks of God (the eternal spirit) as the Father over sixty-four times in this book. Lastly, we see in this book a more complete revelation of God which includes his person, attributes, character, and his divinity. We want to focus our attention upon the private ministry or teachings before his crucifixion at Calvary. The scripture text is (John 13:1 (John 17:26). These five chapters are Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples. These teachings are only found in the book of John. For this article, we want to look at and study a portion of John, Chapter 15, where Jesus declares to them that he is the true vine, and that his Father (the eternal spirit) is the husbandman, and his disciples are the branches which are attached to the true vine (Jesus Christ). (John 15:1-5) says = I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. In this passage of scripture, Jesus is saying to his disciples or followers, if they want to be successful in their spiritual lives and work for the Lord, they must stay connected to Christ! Jesus speaks to his disciples about their relationship with him. They must form a vital union with Christ so that they can become fruitful. Jesus says to them: every branch that beareth fruit the husbandman (the landowner or farmer) purgeth it so that it may bring forth more fruit (John 15:1, 2). We believe that God allows tribulation, suffering, tests, and trials to come upon the good saints of God to refine our character, give us patience, and make us more like Jesus. Read (Romans 5:3-5) and (I Peter 4:12-16). Then Jesus exhorts his disciples to abide in him and let him abide in them. The word, abide, is used eight times in the book of John, Chapter 15. The Greek word for abide used here is mènō (men-o) #3306 which means = to stay in a given place, continue, dwell there, be present, remain, and stand (just stand). Jesus also reminds his disciples of the fact that the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. It must stay connected to the true vine (Jesus Christ), and if they continue to abide in him, and him in them, then they would bring forth much fruit. For without Christ, they could do nothing (John 15:3-5). We believe that Jesus’ disciples believed the words of Jesus in his farewell discourse to them about the true vine and the branches. Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection and confirmed the fact that he had risen from the dead. He wanted them to know that the true vine was alive, and fully able to help them bring forth much fruit. After his ascension into heaven on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ took up his abode in them. Read: (John 14:16-18). Notice especially (John 14:17B) which says = . . . But ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. The branches would abide in the true vine, and Christ would abide in them as the spirit of Christ or the Holy Ghost. Everywhere they went Jesus Christ was with them, helping them, and working with them so that they could bring forth fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. Read: (Mark 16:19, 20). Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church and every one of the Saints of God, we must stay connected to Christ too! He is needed to produce the fruits of righteousness and/or the fruit of the spirit. (Philippians 1:11) (Galatians 5:22, 23). In closing, Jesus said, “For without me ye can do nothing!” (Re-print 2019) Suffragan Bishop Charles L. Smith, D.D., Emeritus January 11, 2026
