John 20:19-23
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
NKJV
[Editor's Comment: This was the first evening following the resurrection of Jesus early that morning. Here Jesus appears in bodily form and enters the upper room without opening the door that was locked. His glorified body could pass through the door without any damage to the door. He greets them with "Peace." He wanted to calm their fears. They were meeting behind closed and locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were glad when they saw Him. That must have been an overwhelming experience they would never forget.
Again the second time, Jesus said, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." When He made that declaration Jesus breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This is another version of the Great Commission.
You have to be very close to people to breathe on them. Jesus did that to each one. It was Andrew Murray who said, "Missions are the typical work of the Holy Spirit. No one may expect to be filled with the Spirit if he is unwilling to be used by God for missions."
Now is the time to prepare for Pentecost Sunday which is Sunday, June 4. Dr. Luke tells us in the Book of Acts, chapter 20, that the Apostle Paul was eager to be present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. "For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost" (Acts 20:16, NKJV).
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
NKJV
[Editor's Comment: This was the first evening following the resurrection of Jesus early that morning. Here Jesus appears in bodily form and enters the upper room without opening the door that was locked. His glorified body could pass through the door without any damage to the door. He greets them with "Peace." He wanted to calm their fears. They were meeting behind closed and locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were glad when they saw Him. That must have been an overwhelming experience they would never forget.
Again the second time, Jesus said, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." When He made that declaration Jesus breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This is another version of the Great Commission.
You have to be very close to people to breathe on them. Jesus did that to each one. It was Andrew Murray who said, "Missions are the typical work of the Holy Spirit. No one may expect to be filled with the Spirit if he is unwilling to be used by God for missions."
Now is the time to prepare for Pentecost Sunday which is Sunday, June 4. Dr. Luke tells us in the Book of Acts, chapter 20, that the Apostle Paul was eager to be present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. "For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost" (Acts 20:16, NKJV).
Melvine and I went to the Upper Room where the 120 disciples of Jesus Christ were assembled on that first Pentecost Day when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon each one of them. Jesus is the Baptizer with or in the Holy Spirit. This gift was sent from the Father and the Son. Jesus never baptized anyone in water. He delegated that to His disciples. He reserved for himself the Scriptural promise that He, Himself would baptize born again, sanctified believers with the Holy Spirit.
Have you received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit since you were born again and sanctified? If not, now is your time to receive this gift from the Father and the Son. I pray that every believer in the IPHC and other churches will be filled with the Holy Spirit.]
Have you received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit since you were born again and sanctified? If not, now is your time to receive this gift from the Father and the Son. I pray that every believer in the IPHC and other churches will be filled with the Holy Spirit.]