The Anchor Leg: Restoring First-Century Holiness and Power

By Tony Ellis

The message of this book is meant to bring back the basics of the of the first century church, producing a life that carries the presence of God and to walk as Jesus walked (See 1 John 2:6). It is the grace of Jesus Christ that makes us pure, as He is pure, and to empower a life of holiness. You will learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit and become mature in character and deed.
The portrayal of how history repeats itself in scripture as seasons, will help you locate your own spiritual season and have a pathway to exit the old and enter a new season.
You will revisit the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and the New Testament believers. In this process you will see the Holy Spirit as God, Helper, Teacher and your connection to the Father and Son in heaven.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350906851

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The Anchor Leg:

Restoring First-Century Holiness and Power

© 2023, Tony Ellis.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Print ISBN: 979-8-35090-684-4

eBook ISBN: 979-8-35090-685-1

Contents

Introduction

1. QUIET HIM NO MORE

2. THE JOSHUA GENERATION

3. THE WILDERNESS: GOD’S PURPOSE AND PROVISION

4. THE PRICE OF DISOBEDIENCE

5. HE MAKES JESUS REAL

6. JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

7. WE NEED WHAT THEY HAD

8. THE DAY OF PENTECOST

9. WITH, IN, AND UPON

10. STAYING FILLED

Epilogue

Introduction

One of my favorite things to watch at track meets are the relay races. I especially enjoy the elite-level sprint relays where countries get to brag for the next year about who had the fastest team. The first leg of the race is usually run by a person who has the best starting time on the team, and the race is anchored by the strongest finisher on the team. The baton passing needs to have clean exchanges between the teammates for them to have a chance at winning. The worst-case scenario: dropping the baton and getting disqualified!

The first century believers began the relay race by passing the baton of the Kingdom to future generations. Their start is written about in the New Testament, and we still stand in awe at the holiness and power they walked in. The intimacy they had with Jesus Christ is a blueprint for us to base our lives on!

Through the centuries, there is very little doubt that the passing of the baton of the Kingdom over the centuries was mostly successful. BUT, looking at the condition of today’s body of believers, it can be seen that we certainly have not had a clean exchange of truths since the last few generations.

It is my belief that the anchor leg generation will be used to restore the fervency, holiness, and power of Christ to the church worldwide. The purity of devotion will produce the pure and spotless bride Jesus is coming for (2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:27).

There will be a people, as prophesied in Isaiah 60:1–3, that will have God’s visible glory arise upon them in times of gross darkness. This visible glory will draw all people to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This book is meant to bring back the basics of New Testament theology into action. It will produce a life that carries the presence of God and for people to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). The grace of Jesus Christ is meant to make us pure, as He is pure, to empower a life of holiness. You will learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit and become mature in character and deed.

Truly, we are following the Eternal Joshua (Jesus) into this end time battle to see Him inherit His promised land!

CHAPTER 1

QUIET HIM NO MORE

In the early part of 1993, I said a short prayer that would ultimately bring God’s purpose for my life to attention. My prayer was something like this: Lord, open the eyes of my heart that I might know the hope to which you have called me (Ephesians 1:17–18).

A few days later, the Lord answered my prayer. One night in my bedroom, as I opened my Bible, I was inspired to read passages that landed in my spirit with passion and purpose.

At the time, His purpose from these scriptures seemed overwhelming. When I now peer back at the scriptures we are about to look at, I can hear God saying to many of us, Get back to the basics of seeking God!

CALLED

The first passage I felt led to was Isaiah 6:8–9 KJV: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understanding not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Then I opened the book of Jeremiah 1:5–9 KJV: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

With a lump in my throat, I whispered, Me? Are you sure? I am young, people may not listen. Immediately I was compelled to read more. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child (verse 6) For a brief moment, a small smile interrupted the heaviness in the room. I continued reading, But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth (verse 7–9).

After reading the scriptures from Isaiah and Jeremiah, there was a confirmation part of my calling was to be a prophetic voice, not necessarily of future events, rather of present heart conditions of His people and the pathway back to His heart.

The next scripture I was impressed to read was 2 Timothy 4:2–5, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

To me, the whole picture was to take every opportunity during good or bad times, using whatever means to get people back to the basic teachings of Jesus Christ, for a time would come when people would want new teachings that would allow them to live for selfish sinful passions.

GO AND TELL MY PEOPLE

A short span of time had passed when God revealed His message to carry forward during my lifetime. I was in my bedroom and it was late into the night; I was sitting quietly praying in my room and I sensed God’s burden. I knew it was the Holy Spirit, but this was not some wonderful feel-good experience for I sensed as if He had had been wounded. So solemn this event is to me, I can only share parts of this experience. Two things happened to me that changed me forever.

First, I felt loneliness, like a longing I never felt before as a Christian. I instantly realized it was His deep longing for my fellowship. I am not stating that He needs my fellowship or that God is lonely, but He certainly longs for our fellowship. The reality of His presence was so much greater than mine; I became engulfed in His divine atmosphere, feeing as lost in Him as I once felt lost in the world. Secondly, I understood this concept that needs