THE EASTER MESSAGE JESUS CHRIST AND THE SANHEDRIN INSTITUTION

The composition of the Sanhedrin was the High Priest as the head and then religious leaders who were usually the Priests, Scribes and the Sadducees. The Sanhedrin (Greek: Συνέδριον, synedrion, "sitting together," hence "assembly" or "council") was an assembly of twenty-three or seventy-one rabbis appointed to sit as a tribunal in every city in the ancient Land of Israel.

The Sanhedrin (Hebrew: ,sanhedrîn ַסְנֶהְדִרין Greek: Συνέδριον, synedrion, "sitting together," hence "assembly" or "council") was an assembly of twenty – three to seventy-one men appointed in every city in the Land of Israel (WILKIPEDIA). They had jurisdiction over civil, criminal and religious matters with regard to the law and the temple.

Reference is made to the genesis of the existence of the Sanhedrin during the formation of the seventy (70) Elders who presided over several cases brought before them by the Israelites in the wilderness (NUMBERS 11:16 – 24) . Since then, the Jewish nation recorded a kind of a Sanhedrin throughout their history and during Jesus’ time and ministry on earth.

The ancient Jewish court system was called the Sanhedrin. The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme religious body in the Land of Israel during the time of the Holy Temple. There were also smaller religious Sanhedrins in every town in the Land of Israel, as well as a civil political-democratic Sanhedrin. These Sanhedrins existed until the abolishment of the rabbinic patriarchate in about 425 C.E (Jewish Virtual Library: Ancient Jewish History: The Sanhedrin). Yes the Sanhedrin was abolished after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

In the days of Jesus, the Sanhedrin existed to regulate and manage Jewish behaviour with regards to the law and the temple. They were revered as the protectors of the Jewish law, temple and nation, and even the Romans as masters of the Jews revered them. They were considered as partners by the Roman Authorities to maintain peace, law and order. To the Romans, they were wise enough not to interfere in the Jewish religion where the law and temple were considered sacred to promote peaceful co – existence. To the Sanhedrin, the non – interference of the Roman Authorities in their worship of God and the practice of the law was a safe haven to regulate and manage Jewish behaviour and avert total control to result in a slavery status.

Like all Jews, Jesus knew that every controversy over religious belief and ideology in Israel was brought before the Sanhedrin whose decision was final and authoritative. It revolved around a court system of presentation and defense of case that also appealed to the Roman Authorities and court system. It was very clear to the disciples and the Jews and even the Roman Authorities that the direction of His ministry was going to make Him appear before the Sanhedrin, Kings and Governors. Therefore, Jesus warned His disciples about persecutions in following Him and obeying His teachings. We read

MATTHEW 10:16 – 20 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

It is good for the Master to know and warn disciples of dangers in ministry. Already, Jesus had had skirmishes with the religious sects who painted Him evil because of gospel truths and teachings. Earlier, He forgave a

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healed paralytic of his sins and this angered the Scribes (MATTHEW 9:1 – 8). The Pharisees questioned Him about eating with tax collectors and sinners (MATTHEW 9:9 – 13). The Pharisees again questioned Jesus about His disciples not fasting like the disciples of John the Baptist (MATTHEW 9:14 – 17). The Pharisees increased their antagonism towards Jesus and this time accused Him of being demon possessed and casting out demons from people by the spirit of the ruler of demons (MATTHEW 9:32 – 34).

He prepared His disciples to be conscious of confrontations, rejections and persecutions that would result in beatings, arrests and appearances before religious and political leaders. They were to be wise in all their dealings because the environment was not going to be friendly all the time. They were going to be in the midst of people like wolves whose intent is to destroy their ministries and lives; for wolves are carnivorous animals that eat flesh with blood. Besides, they were to be innocent of sin and evil like doves because God is holy and cannot protect them in sin. Also, the only justifiable reason for their enemies’ actions to be overlooked is their commitment and involvement in sin. The revelation was that followers of Christ are not to entangle themselves in sin and evil activities to jeopardize their mission to save people.

The warning of Jesus was also in the area of betrayals and arrests to appear before councils and synagogue leaders, and be whipped as a form of punishment. Then, they would be brought before kings and governors for the sake of Christ where their responses and words would reveal Him to the world; both Jews and Gentiles. It revealed the wisdom of God to make Christ known to some people especially religious and political leaders through appearance in the court system. Decisions made by believers and non – believers make every iota of God’s word in Christ true and experienced.

The good news is that Jesus promised the disciples and therefore all believers as Christians that the Holy Spirit would give them the right words to speak in their appearances before religious and political leaders. It must show that it is the Spirit of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ speaking in us. It reveals spirituality and therefore prayers because it empowers us and is achievable even in prisons of any kind. It revealed God’s protection and preservation in such appearances and therefore confidence and boldness levels should be high and not show signs of anxiousness, fear and discouragement.

Jesus and the Sanhedrin was a foretaste of His own experiences that would culminate in His crucifixion, death and resurrection for the salvation of humanity. The warning to the disciples and all believers as Christians was prophetic and is being fulfilled all over the world where the gospel is resisted and rejected with some forms of aggressions. Truly, every generation of Christians has recorded appearances before religious and political leaders to testify Christ and His gospel of salvation in fulfillment of prophecy.

With this revelation and understanding, we would study the significance of the appearances of Jesus before religious and political leaders that led to His crucifixion, death and resurrection that forgave our sins and justified us as Children of God in our belief of Him as Saviour and Lord. Know that your appearances to all manner of people and leaders because of your Christian faith and ministry are in the will of God as prophesied by Jesus Christ and would continue throughout the generations until He returns (MATTHEW 10:21 – 23). If the Master Himself was humiliated and suffered this way, then know that we would walk the same path (MATTHEW 10:24 – 26).

JESUS AND THE SANHEDRIN WAS INEVITABLE AS WAS THE NORM OF THE DAY WITH JEWS WITH DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND IDEOLOGIES. THE SANHEDRIN DID NOT COMPROMISE WITH MATTERS OF THE LAW AND THE TEMPLE. THEIR AUTHORITY WAS ALSO THAT THEY COULD PARTNER WITH THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES TO PUNISH ENEMIES OF THE JEWISH LAW, TEMPLE AND NATION.

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THE PROPHECY TO THE DISCIPLES AND ALL CHRISTIANS WAS THAT THEY WOULD GO THROUGH PERSECUTIONS UNDER THE HANDS OF RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE SANHEDRIN IN HIS DAYS. IT WAS ALSO A FORETASTE OF HIS SUFFERINGS AND ALL CHRISTIANS AFTER HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION TO HEAVEN. KNOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US CANNOT MAKE US COMPROMISE BUT MAKE US TESTIFY OF CHRIST AND SHOW BOLDNESS IN PREACHING HIS GOSPEL TO THE WORLD. IF THIS PROPHECY OF JESUS CHRIST IS BEING FULFILLED, THEN KNOW THAT THE PROMISE OF HIS SECOND COMING IS TRUE AND SURE. BE WISE BUDDY.

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JESUS APPEARED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (1)

A// JESUS PROPHESIED HIS DEATH

MATTHEW 26:1 – 5 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Jesus’ ministry was almost close to fulfilling prophecy and scripture about the Messiah’s death and resurrection to save Israel and the world of sin and evil. He had preached about the Kingdom of God, healed the sick and delivered the afflicted under the bondage of the devil, and performed miracles, signs and wonders to prove the power of God and blessings for the people.

Having taught the disciples and the people, He was moved by the Holy Spirit to speak about His demise to the disciples. He spoke by revelation because it was time for Him to die on the cross in the hands of His enemies. It was two days to the Passover celebration where the Israelites reminded themselves of their escape from Egypt through the eating of unleavened bread and sacrifice of a lamb with the blood on the doorposts. It was also a reminder of the power of God’s deliverance in Egypt that set them free into the wilderness and their location in Israel.

Jesus discerned that the disciples were conscious of the celebration of the Passover but not His inevitable death on the cross and unimaginable events to be experienced. He had to make it known to them that the time was due for the Son of Man to be crucified but for the salvation of the world. Do not just be conscious of the Easter celebration but the significance of the events and eternal salvation attained through our belief of the Lord Jesus Christ and residence of the Holy Spirit in us.

The revelation was that Jesus was going to be the sacrificial lamb during the Passover celebration who would set us free from the bondage of sin and the devil. His strong words revealed change of spiritual authority to dominate and make Him captive for crucifixion. It was necessary for the disciples to be informed because they had come to know Him as having authority spiritually and physically. It was also meant to serve the purpose of encouragement and edification during the trial of their faith during His crucifixion.

JESUS PROPHESIED HIS DEATH TO THE DISCIPLES AND THIS WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WAS ALMOST AT HAND. HE WAS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DISCERN THAT THE DISCIPLES WERE TO BE MADE AWARE OF HIS INEVITABLE DEATH JUST LIKE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND PREPARATION OF THE PASSOVER CELEBRATION IN TWO DAYS. IT REVEALED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGIOSITY AND SPIRITUALITY. IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN BE RELIGIOUS BUT NOT

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SPIRITUAL TO DISCERN THE ACTS OF GOD IN THE AFFAIRS OF HUMANITY, MINISTERS AND THE CHURCH.

IT IS A REVELATION THAT GOD DOES NOT WASTE TIME TO IMPLEMENT HIS WILL WHEN THE TIME IS DUE EVEN IF PEOPLE, MINISTERS, DISCIPLES AND THE CHURCH ARE IGNORANT, AND ALSO COMPLACENT OVER PAST VICTORIES AND PRESENT CONDITIONS. IT SHOWS ALSO THAT THE LEADER MUST PREPARE THE FOLLOWERS SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY TO PROMOTE ENCOURAGEMENT AND EDIFICATION DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. IT MEANS TO BE FILLED AND LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND NOT BE SUBJECTED TO OUR OWN WHIMS AND CAPRICES TO KNOW THE MIND AND WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION.

B// THE EVIL PLOT BY THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

MATTHEW 26:3 – 5 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

True to Jesus’ prophecy about His inevitable crucifixion, there was a meeting of the Sanhedrin with the presence of the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, other Priests, Scribes and Elders and decided to arrest Jesus by a diabolic way and then kill Him. It revealed anger and determination on the part of the Sanhedrin to bring an end to Jesus’ ministry because of His statements about God the Father and the temple besides his numerous followers. It became clear that the Sanhedrin was mindful of their relationship with the Roman Authorities and therefore decided not to arrest Jesus during the Passover and cause a violent situation. They knew that Jesus had many followers and they could prevent His arrests and destabilize their diabolic plans against Him.

Interestingly, they were moved by the spirit of the devil because of their evil thoughts but served the purpose of God. It means to say that God can use your enemies to speed your blessings and bring to pass your prophecy and fulfillment of scripture. Be discerning buddy.

To the Sanhedrin especially the Chief Priest, this was the time to end all the blasphemy and insult against the law and the temple and their worship of God. To Jesus, the Messianic prophecy and scriptures of death and resurrection were about to be fulfilled, and events prior to the divine agenda had been set in motion.

THE EVIL PLOT OF THE SANHEDRIN FULFILLED JESUS’ PROPHECY ABOUT HIS DEATH. THEIR GATHERING AND MEETING WAS FOR AN EVIL PURPOSE BUT QUICKENED THE MESSIANIC PROPHECY AND SCRIPTURES. IT SHOWS ALSO THAT THE WISDOM OF GOD IS SUPERIOR TO THE WISDOM OF HUMANITY AND THE DEVIL. IT MEANS TO SAY THAT THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SUPERIOR TO THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL AND ENEMIES IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH AND LIVES AND MINISTRIES OF PEOPLE. THIS WAS AND IS STILL ONE OF THE GOOD NEWS AND BLESSING ABOUT THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER.

C// JESUS BROUGHT BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

MATTHEW 26:57 & 58 – And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.  But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane through the partnership between Judas Iscariot and the religious leaders, He was sent to the courts of the high priest Caiaphas. He was brought before the

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Scribes and the Elders besides the presence of the High Priest for judgment. Peter followed from a distance to see how his master Jesus would be handled and judged by the religious leaders. The events might have reminded him of Jesus’ prophecy about His death. Indeed, it was necessary of Jesus’ preparation of His disciples because of the challenging times and test of their loyalty and belief in Him.

Truly, Peter knew that the decision of the Sanhedrin could mark the end of Jesus’ ministry and even affect them as followers. What he did not know was that this was God’s choice to save the world of sin and explains why he tried to prevent Jesus from going to the cross (MATTHEW 16:23).

I tell you the truth that every gathering against you like Jesus for a righteous cause shall promote the will of God in Christ for your blessing. Let this Easter season make God’s word true and alive with power of the Holy Spirit for a blessing. Maintain your Christian faith even in difficult and challenging times like the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only humans but God, Jesus Christ, angels and the heavenly host are watching to see your actions and reactions. Choose to make this Easter season memorable with testimonies.

JESUS’ PROPHECY ABOUT HIS DEATH WENT TO A HIGHER LEVEL WITH HIS APPEARANCE BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN OF THE CHIEF PRIEST, CAIAPHAS, SCRIBES AND ELDERS. IT REVEALED THE DETERMINATION OF GOD TO MAKE ETERNAL SALVATION ACHIEVABLE THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST EVEN AT HIS HUMILIATION AND SUFFERING. YOU HAVE A PERMANENT WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEYOND PETER FOR A BLESSING AS A CHRISTIAN EVERYWHERE.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT THE EASTER SEASON IS THE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S LOVE TO HUMANITY THROUGH JESUS’ SUFFERING. IF GOD HAS TO DELIVER YOU INTO THE HANDS OF YOUR ENEMIES FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS WORD, KNOW FOR SURE THAT HE WILL DO IT JOYFULLY EVEN AT YOUR HUMILIATION AND SUFFERING LIKE JESUS CHRIST. THEREFORE, WE MUST CELEBRATE EASTER AS CHRISTIANS IN ITS ACHIEVABLE PURPOSE TO HONOUR AND GLORIFY GOD. BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND NOT BE SUBJECT TO OWN WHIMS AND CAPRICES.

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JESUS APPEARED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (2)

█ THE SANHEDRIN SOUGHT FALSE TESTIMONY AGAINST JESUS

MATTHEW 26:59 & 60a – Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.

The Chief Priests, Elders and all the Council were scholars and eminent people of the Jewish nation and religion. They were revered by the Israelites because of their divine duties and authority and decisions in matters of civil, criminal and religion. They were known to implement the judgment rule of fair trial with given opportunity to state your case and make your defense before them. They applied also the principle of questioning people to determine the truth of the case before them to make good and righteous decisions.

In the appearance of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, the wisdom of God and the spirit of the devil were at work together. The power play was to send Jesus to the cross for the accomplishment of eternal salvation unknown to them. These eminent people decided to use an evil means in the form of a false testimony against Him to punish and stop Him in ministry. It was a clear violation of the Jewish law and practice in

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DEUTERONOMY 5:20 – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.”

It was meant to promote good brotherliness and peaceful co – existence and harmony among the Israelites. Therefore, the thoughts and actions of the Sanhedrin meant that they considered Jesus as an enemy because they had already decided in their hearts to end His ministry and destroy Him.

It meant that they discussed among themselves which kind of people could fabricate lies against Him and deceive all the people that Jesus was a false person and therefore not the Messiah and the Son of God. I can imagine a scenario where the High Priest and certain council members said that they could not say anything first and therefore signaled other council members to falsely testify against Him and then used His responses to attack His integrity and ministry to put Him to death.

It shows also that they revisited all His teachings and words, miracles, signs and wonders to find fault with Him but found nothing wrong with Him. It revealed that all things that emanated from Jesus achieved righteousness to honour and glorified God. It was the proof of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and functioned in the power and work of the Holy Spirit to produce only righteous results. It provides the revelation that if you are led by the Holy Spirit in ministry with a life of integrity, your enemies like the kind of the Sanhedrin will not have any justification against you like our Lord Jesus Christ.

This was also a deviation from the practice of the law and worship of God by true Jews because of their thoughts and actions. We read

PROVERBS 12:17 – He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

Truth spoken and revealed about people and situations is righteousness to God but words of lies and deceit to damage the reputation of other people and make them unfriendly in society are evil in God’s sight. This scripture showed that the Sanhedrin violated God’s word and principle in their attempt to bear a false testimony against Him. It was also a proof of the truth that the power play had changed hands with the spirit of the devil at work to influence them negatively but in the wisdom of God to accomplish eternal salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

WHEN SPIRITUAL POWER CHANGES HANDS IN THE CHURCH WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL TAKES OVER THE LEADERSHIP AND RELIGIOUS COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS, THE RESULT IS EVIL MINDS, THOUGHTS AND WORKS AGAINST ALL FORMS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. SUCH WAS THE STATE OF THE SANHEDRIN IN THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS BEFORE THEM; FOR THEY FABRICATED A FASLE TESTIMONY AGAINST HIM TO PUT HIM TO DEATH BY WHATEVER MEANS. BY THEIR ACTION, THEY BROKE THE JEWISH LAW TO ENSURE FAIR JUDGMENT AND PROMOTE BROTHERLINESS AND PEACEFUL CO – EXISTENCE AND HARMONY AMONG THE JEWS.

TRULY, WHEN THE REVERED AND RESPECTED LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE BREAK THE VERY PRINCIPLES THEY ARE TO UPHOLD, PROMOTE AND PROTECT, THEY BECOME ENEMIES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. IT HAD TO HAPPEN THIS WAY IN THE WISDOM OF GOD TO OUTSMART THE DEVIL AND ACCOMPLISH ETERNAL SALVATION FOR HUMANITY. THEREFORE BE PRAYERFUL, DISCERNING, COMMITTED AND FAITHFUL IN LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH WORK BECAUSE THE WISDOM OF GOD IS SUPERIOR TO THAT OF THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS AND ENEMIES. YES AMAZING REVELATIONS ABOUT THE EASTER STORY.

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JESUS APPEARED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (3)

█ BEWARE OF FALSE WITNESSES

MATTHEW 26:60b & 61 – Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.  But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”

At this stage in the events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross, the dramatic scene in the courts of the High Priest and the Sanhedrin had become intense with accusations of lies, deceit and ridicule. Many false witnesses came forward before the Sanhedrin with Jesus as the accused and said many bad things about Him concerning His words, teachings and ministry. It shows also that all the things they said about Jesus were found to be false by the council even though all of them had evil intentions against Him. Jesus was speechless but all accusations revealed His innocence. It means that Jesus’ accusers were convicted by their own lies and deceits which were heightened by His silence.

This is a reminder of the words of Jesus to the disciples to be wise as serpents and innocents as doves during their evangelistic outreaches in a hostile and unfriendly environments (MATTHEW 10:16). Truly, He abided by this righteous principle and explains why the Sanhedrin could not justify their accusations against Him. It serves as a righteous example to live good Christian lives and celebrate the Easter season in a righteous way based on the teachings of Christ and works and leading of the Holy Spirit. It means to make your enemies not have any justifiable accusation against you in life, ministry and the Church.

However, the determination of the Sanhedrin based on their evil thought of leveling a false testimony against Jesus resulted in a crafted and planned approach which achieved for them their evil desires. Two false witnesses stood before the Sanhedrin without recourse to their integrity and reputation, and falsely accused Him on His word against the revered holy temple. They expressed an evil nature without respect to Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the Son of Man with His widely testified ministry of preaching, teaching, healings, signs and wonders in Israel and Samaria. They labeled Jesus’ words as a mockery of the Jerusalem temple with the promise to destroy and build it in three days. These two (2) aggressive false witnesses bore resemblance to the two (2) witnesses against Naboth through the wickedness of Jebezel, wife of king Ahab (1 KINGS 21:13).

Truly, Jesus declared that He would rise up the Jerusalem temple in three days if it is pulled down. This was after He cleansed the temple of selling and buying that took the place of worship of God. We read the story in

JOHN 2:18 – 22 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

It is clear that Jesus spoke a parable about His death and resurrection with regards to restoration of holiness of the temple of God. The meaning of His message was that if they killed Him, He would resurrect from the dead in three (3) days. Unfortunately, the Jews misinterpreted His words but the events prior to His crucifixion on the cross, and then His death, burial and resurrection justified His righteous words and revelation of God’s wisdom and will. Truly, God provoked humanity, the religious leaders, to bring to pass His determined purpose

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of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This became very clear and understandable even to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead and made them believe the scripture and the word of Jesus.

The disciples, Mathew and John, revealed a connection of the gospel story and show Jesus as the Son of God who died and resurrected from the dead as achievement and attainment of eternal salvation for humanity. It was on this account that Jesus was accused before the Sanhedrin by those two false witnesses. It is a message that God allows His Ministers to speak parables sometimes to hide the reality of truths and situations from people to accomplish His plans and purposes in specific times in life. Yes Jesus had to fulfill His mission before going to the cross and resurrecting from the dead. It is my prayer and righteous desire to discern and know the works of God in Christ this Easter season as His perfect will.

The message reveals that your enemies will use your words, teachings and works as accusations against you like our Lord Jesus Christ. It means to be careful in life and ministry and the Church as a Christian and Minister of Christ. Even when God’s will is to make you suffer humiliation like Jesus Christ before a kind of the Sanhedrin, religious leaders and assembly, it must be based on strong spiritual statements and works of the Holy Spirit and not self. Yes when God hides eternal truths in Christ from your enemies, it means that He is preparing them to promote His plans and will in your life, ministry and the Church. This was the state of Jesus with His appearance before the Sanhedrin. Whatever it is, you will prosper in the name of Jesus.

THERE ARE FALSE WITNESSES WHO HAVE HEARD OF OUR SPIRITUAL WORDS AND KNOW OUR SPIRITUAL WORKS IN CHRIST INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHEN THE OPPORTUNE TIME COMES, THEY WILL SHOW UP AND LEVEL ACCUSATIONS AGAINST YOUR LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH LIKE JESUS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. DO NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN A WHOLE RELIGIOUS GROUP OR ORGANIZATION OR COMMITTEE SITS ON YOUR CASE BEFORE THEM AND INSITGATE FALSE WITNESSES AGAINST YOU TO MAKE THEIR JUDGMENT EASY.

THEY MAY WANT YOUR DEATH AND DESTRUCTION BUT ONLY PROMOTE GOD’S PLANS AND WILL IN YOUR LIFE OF FAITH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST. LIKE JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE BOUND TO SUCCEED IF LIFE, WORKS, MINISYTRY ARE IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD. LET THIS EASTER SEASON BE A MEMORABLE ONE AS YOU PURSUE CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS BEYOND THE DECISIONS AND PLANS OF PEOPLE AND LEADERS HIDING UNDER RELIGIOSITY (SANHEDRIN) TO DESTROY YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FALSE WITNESSES BUT IN CHRIST WE WILL ALWAYS BE WINNERS BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS US INTO ALL TRUTHS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. BE PRAYERFUL AND DISCERNING AND MAY YOUR ACCUSERS BE PUT TO SHAME IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN!

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JESUS APPEARED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (4)  

A// THE HIGH PRIEST STEPPED IN AT THE OPPORTUNE TIME 

MATTHEW 26:62 – And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”

From the very beginning, the High Priest and the Sanhedrin had evil intentions against Jesus for they sought to falsely accuse and make Him suffer punishment and the penalty of death. Apart from religious authority, the High Priest had connection and working relationship with the Roman Authorities.

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Therefore in Jesus’ appearance before the noble and revered council, the High Priest craftily stepped in at the opportune time to make their agenda a reality. It was to exercise his divine and religious authority to make Jesus answer the question of destruction and built of the Jerusalem temple in three (3) days. As for this one, the High Priest had information that Jesus made this statement and declaration and therefore could use it to judge and condemn Him unto death.

It was meant to psyche the minds of the people against Him especially when it was clear that it took forty six (46) years to build the revered Jerusalem temple (JOHN 2:20).

Again, the High Priest subtly expressed innocence of His appearance before the Sanhedrin. He questioned Jesus about His silence to the accusations against Him and also the type of accusations by the people like His enemies. It is very clear by discernment that the High Priest feigned innocence and the judicial principle of fairness. It was like he knew about Jesus’ ministry of righteous teachings, mercy and compassion to heal their sicknesses and diseases, provide their needs, and deliver them from satan’s bondage. It was, indeed, public deception of fairness but hidden motives known to the whole Sanhedrin, God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

The good news about Easter is that God’s Spirit and wisdom was at work using the High Priest and the Sanhedrin to facilitate the accomplishment of eternal salvation. If it will take the head of a religious body, organization, committee, chief, group, Church, household, family, etc. to bring to pass God’s word, prophetic word, in Christ and the Holy Spirit, indeed, high personalities of this kind will be involved.

It means also to be careful of our dealings and personalities of the kind of the High Priest who step in situations at the opportune time for the achievement of their agenda and not for our benefit in God’s will. It means to be more prayerful and discerning to be quiet or speak by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

TRULY, OPPORTUNISTS ARE VERY INFORMED ABOUT SITUATIONS BEFORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. THEY WAIT FOR THE RIGHT TIME TO ATTACK IN YOUR TIME OF WEAKNESS AND MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM JUST LIKE THE ACT OF THE HIGH PRIEST TOWARDS JESUS.

THEY ARE USUALLY PART OF THE SYSTEM TO HARM AND DESTROY YOUR REPUTATION, LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH BUT ONLY SHOW UP AT THE TIME OF WEAKNESS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND FOR ENFORCEMENT PURPOSE. IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL AND DISCERNING BECAUSE OPPORTUNISTS ARE VERY INFLUENTIAL WITH THE PEOPLE AND PERCEIVED VIOLATION OF THE LAW AND PRINCIPLES.

B// THE HIGH PRIEST PUT JESUS UNDER OATH TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION 

MATTHEW 26:63 – But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

An oath is a promise to speak the truth and testify of a given situation usually before the courts of law or committee or group. It reveals positive and negative consequences about spoken truths for exoneration or false stories for condemnation.

In the rabbinical teaching, an oath was made in reference to a person unlike a vow to an object. It revealed the relationship between a person and the object. It revealed also commitment of allegiance to kings, religion, law, etc. The Rabbis taught that an oath was binding on a person as long as it is not nullified by a sage. Even

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this the Sage would ask the person whether he did not know that changed circumstances that demanded acts and practices would make it nullified.

Therefore, the action of the High Priest to make Jesus respond to the false allegation was based on knowledge of the scriptures which were also known to Jesus Christ. He put Jesus under oath to tell the whole Sanhedrin whether He was the Christ and the Son of God. This was in line with

NUMBERS 30:1 & 2 - Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

This revealed strict adherence to the Lord’s command with vows and oaths as an agreement between God and His chosen people the Israelites. They were to commit themselves to obey their vows and oaths to God for a blessing and also as a people called by His name. It expressed their belief in God alone besides other gods worshipped by other nations.

The High Priest words to Jesus before the Sanhedrin was also based on

PSALM 56:12 - Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,

It revealed the commitment to obey all vows and oaths in the name of the LORD in a covenanted relationship.

It was in this revelation that the High Priest forced Jesus to break His silence and answer the question on Messiahship and justify Himself and works that revealed Him as the Messiah. This was the prima facie evidence, that is on the face value, but with a hidden agenda to crucify Him and end His ministry.

The High Priest’s question must also be understood in two fold here with one knowing that Jesus healings, miracles and teachings with knowledge of the Prophets and the Scriptures made Him a believer of God. Second, it was based on the Scriptures that Jesus would respond to his question if indeed He believed in God and His word like them.

It means to be careful of religious people who use scriptures to reveal innocence but have hidden motives and diabolic agenda. I picture a scenario where Jesus raised his head and facial expression brightened for the first time before the Sanhedrin.

Even these days, it is sad to say that some Christians use the bible, Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and position to justify their sinful and evil actions. Repent! Repent! Repent! It means to discern by the Holy Spirit and the gospel of Jesus Christ about the thoughts, words and works of people as it was with Jesus before the Sanhedrin in the Easter period.

TRULY, THE EASTER PERIOD IS MEMORABLE WITH THE MANNER AND APPROACH OF JESUS’ DEFENSE BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE SANHEDRIN. IT REVEALED SIMPLICITY ON THE PART OF JESUS AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE HIGH PRIEST TO QUESTION JESUS ABOUT HIS IDENTITY AS THE CHRIST AND THE SON OF GOD; YES THE MESSIAH?

IT REVEALED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE HIGH PRIEST TO FIND FAULT WITH JESUS TO MAKE THE DECISION OF THEIR DIABOLIC PLANS EASILY IMPLEMENTABLE. IT MEANS TO BE CAREFUL OF INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO USE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, THE BIBLE

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AND PROPHETIC WORD TO SILENCE AND FRUSTRATE OUR DREAMS AND VISIONS IN CHRIST BY THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT IS MY DESIRE AND PRAYER THAT ANY EVIL GATHERING AGAINST YOU OR APPEARANCE BEFORE ANY EVIL GATHERING SHALL BRING TO PASS GOD’S WORD IN CHRIST SPEEDILY AND OUTSMART THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS AND HUMAN AGENTS AS HAPPENED DURING THE EASTER SEASON WITH JESUS BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE SANHEDRIN. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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JESUS APPEARED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (5)  

JESUS’ RESPONSE 

MATTHEW 26:64 – Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Appearance before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin had set in motion the final stages of His journey to the cross and Jesus was careful of His words.

Jesus’ response to the High Priest was provoked by the authority of the scriptures and truth about Him being the Christ and Son of God. It was testimony time and Jesus had to make this confession before the whole Sanhedrin. Even with Jesus’ answer, it was not direct but indirect just as the High Priest had questioned Him. He acknowledged Himself with the same words of the High Priest in respect to His position and authority. It was also an act of wisdom not to delay or destroy the fulfillment and testimony of God.

If the Sanhedrin and the disbelieving Jews had known Him as the Christ, they would have been influenced by the devil against His journey to the cross because of their weaknesses. Evidence of this truth is shown in the way the people wanted to make Him king when they experienced and witnessed His miracles. This was days to the Passover celebration where Jesus fed five thousand followers with the blessing of five loaves and two fish from a lad. We read

JOHN 6:15 - Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

It was the religious fanatics, the Zealots, with a battle mentality to save Israel from the Roman Authorities who wanted to make Him King over them. It was believed that He would use His spiritual powers and heavenly authority to bring physical deliverance for Israel. Jesus discerned it and went a different direction to the mountain again because of different missions. The Jews wanted physical salvation from the Romans but He wanted eternal salvation from sin, the devil and His demons and human agents.

Therefore, Apostle Paul revealed the superior wisdom of God to the inferior wisdom of the devil in

1 CORINTHIANS 2:7 & 8 - But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

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Apostle Paul’s revelation agreed with Jesus’ answer about His identity as the Christ and the Son of God. God hid the kairos time of eternal salvation with death on the cross from the religious leaders and the Jewish and Roman Authorities. Besides, He made Jesus a sinner in the eyes of the Sanhedrin and the people to deserve death on the cross.

This was the wisdom of God that Apostle Paul spoke about to the Corinthians that now every controversy over Christ’s death and resurrection had been made known for complete belief unto eternal salvation and performance of righteous works in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the same way God hid the full plan of eternal salvation to people, likewise He has revealed completely through the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ to have faith and believe with righteous works.

In this revelation and confidence, Jesus told the High Priest and the Sanhedrin that just after the end of the judicial appearances, they would see the Son Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Truly, Jesus prophesied about His victory over sin, death and the devil and his demons and human enemies. The Sanhedrin did not understand His words about resurrection and ascension to beaven, and return to the earth but understood it as claiming equality with God. These memorable events would not be hidden from them because they would happen before their eyes and therefore humanity as witnesses.

In the same way, we can only speak the truth about Jesus being the Christ and the Son of God because it is scriptural and the Holy Spirit reveals Him to people. Let this Easter season be memorable of your confession of Christ in your life, ministry and the Church. Just as Jesus in His humanness revealed His position as the Messiah before the Sanhedrin, Christians are to speak and reveal Christ to people according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, scripture and faith. If you appear before intimidating faces of the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, know that the wisdom of God would be at work through the bible and the Holy Spirit to speak the right words and answer the right questions (LUKE 12:11 & 12).

BEING PUT UNDER OATH OF THE LIVING GOD BY A REVERED AND RESPECTABLE PERSON LIKE THE HIGH PRIEST BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN MEANS TO SPEAK NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. IT SHOWS THAT JESUS’ ANSWER CONFIRMED HIM AS THE CHRIST AND THE SON OF GOD TO DIE AND ATTAIN ETERNAL SALVATION FOR ALL PEOPLE BEYOND THE NATION OF ISRAEL. HE COULD NOT LIE BUT SPEAK THE TRUTH.

IN THE SAME WAY THAT JESUS BROKE HIS SILENCE, IT MEANS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH AND SPEAK OUT TO PEOPLE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST WHO DIED ON THE CROSS AND RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD FOR OUR FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND JUSTIFICATION AS CHILDREN OF GOD AND CHRISTIANS.

IT MEANS THAT SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN BECAUSE IT IS SETLLED IN HEAVEN FOREVER (PSALM 119:89). IT MEANS THAT SCRIPTURE CANNOT LIE BUT REVEALS THE TRUTH FOR ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST FOR BLESSING, AND LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PERFORMANCE OF RIGHTEOUS WORKS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT IS ABOUT FULFILLING THE PLANS OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH WITH A BELIEVING HEART AND DETERMINATION TO SPEAK GIVEN REVELATIONS, DREAMS AND VISIONS INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. DARE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST THIS EASTER SEASON WITHOUT FEAR FOR YOU ARE ON THE WINNING TEAM.

TRULY, JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED ON THE CROSS AS PUNISHMENT FROM THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES BUT OUT OF IT CAME THE BEAUTIFUL STORY

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AND MESSAGE OF EASTER ABOUT HIS RESURRECTION. DARE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ALWAYS FOR A BLESSING. BE WISE BUDDY. ===================================================================================

JESUS APPEARED BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (6)  

HUMILIATION BEGINS 

MATTHEW 26:65 – 68 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!  What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

Jesus’ humiliation took another angle with the action of the High Priest in response to truth and confession of truth. The revered High Priest became angry and tore his priestly clothes and spoke in plain words before the Sanhedrin to reveal his hatred and hidden agenda against Jesus. His subtle stance of neutrality suddenly changed to condemnation like previous witnesses who questioned Jesus and made false allegations against Him.

The words of the High Priest were the decision of the Sanhedrin with Jesus’ trial and therefore He concluded that Jesus was a blasphemer against God for claiming equality with Him. Confirmation of his decision against Jesus was also that they were all hearers of Jesus’ admission as the Christ and the Son of God and therefore there was no need of further witnesses. There was nothing else to argue and question because Jesus had confessed being the Christ. Since the Christ was to suffer and die for the nation of Israel, it fitted into their diabolic plans and thoughts of using false testimony to put Him to death. The facial expressions of the High Priest and Sanhedrin were anger, insults and condemnations as a Judicial council of revered men from all the cities of Israel.

The humiliation and condemnation moved to a higher level because the High Priest and the Sanhedrin had managed to find fault with Jesus finally for confession as the Christ and the Son of God. In the judicial style of the High Priest, he decided to make his decision a collective decision and therefore asked for their verdict of Jesus. Not surprisingly, the answer was spontaneous that Jesus deserved death and should be crucified.

Once Jesus was condemned to death in commensurate to the earlier plan of the Sanhedrin to have a false testimony against Him, He was no longer considered a Prophet or the Christ and the Son of God. They stripped Him of His Jewish rights and freedoms and subjected Him to great humiliation in the open square. Once He was condemned to death, He became the enemy of the Jewish nation and also enemy of the Roman Authorities, and this was to facilitate His death on the cross according to the perfect plan and will of God for Him and the salvation of the whole world.

They spat in His face to make Him look like a criminal and a blasphemer of God. To be condemned in Israel as a blasphemer of God and His holy word and sanctuaries like the temple, it meant to be treated spitefully in an inhumane manner; yes like an animal. Therefore the actions of the people seemed to be justified by the law. They just enforced the law and seemed to please God. They beat Him also with whips and struck Him in the face with the palm of their hands. They made mockery of Him like the way Samson’s eyes were removed by the Philistines and they laughed and teased him before their gods and nobles. They told Jesus to prophesy and discern about who hit Him hard on the left or right body or face. This mockery was also heightened by the truth that Jesus prophesied His victory and authority to sit at the right hand side of God and return to the earth as a King.

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These Jewish beatings and slaps was meant to make Him rescind His confessions and testimony but Jesus endured them all because He spoke and revealed the truth at the invocation of the scriptures by the High Priest. They were also meant to cause a repentant heart and acknowledgment of God in His class alone before death. This dramatic scene was not ordinarily because of the power play at work. God in His wisdom blinded them to the true identity of Jesus and allowed the spirit of the devil to influence them negatively in fulfillment of Jesus’ words and description of the Jewish history in

MATTHEW 23:31 – 36 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

The nature of the Jews was that they had records and history and nature of their fathers who murdered the Prophets. In the resistances and rejections of the Scribes and Pharisees to Jesus’ words from MATTHEW 23:1 – 22, He revealed their sins to them even from historical perspective, and prophesied their future that they would emulate the bad and evil examples of their fathers until they repented of their sins and believed in Him and His words of righteousness and eternal life. In their unbelief and sin, they would continue and complete the evil works and guilt of their fathers.

The message continued that Jesus would send them Prophets, Wise men and Scribes who will speak, declare and write to them the wisdom and counsel of God but some they would kill and crucify, whip with cords and canes, and persecute from city to city and from synagogue to synagogue. It meant that the same spirit was at work in them just like their fathers and would continue to justify their condemnation of their fathers’ evil actions from the shedding of Abel’s righteous blood to that of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom they murdered between the temple and the altar. The prophecy of Jesus was sure to happen because of the spirit of the devil that still manipulated and controlled them to resist the counsels of God.

From the sayings of Jesus, it becomes clear and understandable why the Jewish council even in their religiosity, knowledge and wisdom of God, condemned Jesus to death through false testimony on their part and revealed truth about Jesus’ identity as the Christ and the Son of God. This spirit is still at work in the lives of people who love to harm and kill people who preach and declare the counsels of God in Christ and power of the Holy Spirit to them for repentance and forgiveness unto life of righteousness by the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ conclusion of His woes to the Scribes and Pharisees that worsened the situation of the Israelites, he lamented over them in

MATTHEW 23:37 – 39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!”

The city of Jerusalem was noted for killing the Prophets and stoning them for their words of righteousness from God. Jesus revealed how He wanted them to bring them together in God’s righteousness through His many servants like the way a hen gathered her chicks under her wings. In conclusion, they would be

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abandoned because the Kingdom of God would be given to other people who would be obedient to God and His righteous words. The message revealed further that they would experience Christ and see Him again until they acknowledge Him as the Christ and the Son of God; the Messiah. This message was given before Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and brought before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin.

Now it is easy to understand the behaviour of the High Priest and the Sanhedrin towards Jesus. They condemned Him to death also according to Jesus’ description and prophecy of the nature of the Israelites of killing the servants of God who declared His counsels to them in righteousness. It affirms the truth that when the spirit of the devil takes over a people, even known righteous people, the results would be evil and bad and disappointing. It revealed also the spiritual state of the Israelites who allowed few bad people to easily influence the majority in their ignorance to resist and reject, and harm or kill God’s servants.

In this Easter season, know that some people under the influence of the devil will attempt to harm and even kill you, your Christian faith, discourage and label you with all kinds of bad names. Be ready for resistances, lies, deceits, insults, competition, beatings, and condemnation as happened to Jesus before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. Be ready to suffer for Christ if you fall into the traps of your enemies. But know that the Holy Spirit is in you to speak the truth about Jesus being the Christ and the Son of God who died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins and forgiveness, and resurrected from the dead to justify us children of God and Christians.

THE RESPONSES AND ACTIONS OF THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE WHOLE SANHEDRIN TOWARDS JESUS ARE UNDERSTANDABLE BECAUSE OF THE POWER PLAY AT WORK IN THEIR LIVES. THEY RESISTED AND REJECTED JESUS AS THE CHRIST AND SON OF GOD. GOD HID THIS TRUTH AND REVELATION FROM THEM AND ALLOWED THE DEVIL TO MANIPULATE AND CONTROL THEM JUST AS IT HAD BEEN WITH THE ERA OF SHEDDING THE BLOOD OF RIGHTEOUS ABEL TO THE KILLING OF ZECHARIAH, SON OF BERECHIAH, WHOM THEY MURDERED BETWEEN THE TEMPLE AND THE ALTAR.

JESUS WAS CONDEMNED TO DEATH LIKE A REBEL AND A CRIMINAL OF THE JEWISH NATION, LAW AND TEMPLE BECAUSE OF ALLEGATION OF CLAIMING EQUALITY WITH GOD. YOU MAY SUFFER PHYISICAL ATTACKS AND VERBAL ABUSE FROM YOUR ENEMIES BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN YOU.

REVEALED TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ IDENTITY AND MISSION IS THE CONFIDENT IN HIM AS THE CHRIST AND SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD THAT ALL CHRISTIANS MUST BE EMBOLDENED TO CONTINUE TO PREACH AND HIM TO THE WORLD. LET THE KIND OF THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE SANHEDRIN MAKE THEIR CONCLUSIONS AND CONDEMNATIONS BUT BE COMMITTED AND FAITHFUL LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR ACHIEVABLE RESULTS AND TESTIMONIES OF GOD’S LOVE, MERCY, COMPASSION AND SALVATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS TOWARDS HUMANITY. TRULY, YOU ARE GOD’S CHANNEL OF BLESSING IN CHRIST TO BLESS AND CHANGE PEOPLE DURING THIS EASTER SEASON BECAUSE REVELATION AND PROPHECY ARE BEING FULFILLED AT ALL LEVELS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE ACCORDING TO THE PERFECT PLAN AND WILL OF GOD. BE WISE BUDDY.

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APPEARANCE BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE (1)

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A// JESUS HANDED OVER TO PONTIUS PILATE

MATTHEW 27:1 & 2 – When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

The journey to the cross took another dimension with the revealed intent of the Chief Priest and the Sanhedrin to make Jesus die on the cross as a criminal and a sinner; that is as a blasphemer. In the morning after the religious trial before the Sanhedrin, the Chief Priests and Elders of the people devised wicked strategies that would result in His death. They needed the support and partnership of the Roman Authorities and therefore they bound and led Him to Pontius Pilate as a criminal. They portrayed Him as an enemy to the Jewish people and therefore to the Romans. It was meant to make Him unpopular to the Romans for support to put Him to death and end His ministry and popularity with the people.

The book of Luke reported the same intention of the Chief Priests and the Elders (LUKE 23:1). The book of Mark revealed that there was a consultation process among the Chief Priests, Elders, Scribes and the whole Council of religious leaders and representatives (MARK 15:1). It was deliberate and planned carefully to bring into fruition their diabolic plans revealed earlier before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsamane (MATTHEW 26:3 – 5). They tied Him with ropes and handled Him like a criminal, prisoner of war and an enemy.

The humiliation and suffering of Jesus is understood further in the words of David and depicts a battle situation and win and loss results. We read

PSALMS 59:1 – 4 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from bloodthirsty men. For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O LORD.  They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine.

The message revealed by David shows a battle situation where the victor and the winner mishandle and mistreats the losers as enemies. They tie them with ropes, whip them and drag them through rough terrains and with horses to display their power in victory. This explained why David prayed to God not to deliver Him to his enemies. He prayed also for God to defend him from his enemies so that he would not be a prey in their hands. His prayer revealed the zealousness of his enemies to trap him and shed his blood. All their movements and daily activities were about the way to lay hands on him and kill him as a diabolic act and not because he had done bad and evil things.

It was on this same premise that Jesus was arrested by the Chief Priests, Elders, Scribes and the whole Sanhedrin because of their evil intentions and plot to put Him to death. The way they decided that He should be delivered and delivered Him to the Roman Authorities to expedite their diabolic plans proved their hatred and nature as enemy to Jesus Christ.

THE DETERMINATION OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO KILL JESUS AND END HIS MINISTRY AND POPULARITY WITH THE PEOPLE TOOK ANOTHER DIMENSION WHEN THEY BOUND HIM UP LIKE A CRIMINAL AND DELIVERED HIM TO PONTIUS PILATE. IT REVEALED HATRED AT ITS HIGHEST PEAK THAT WAS PROMOTED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE DAY. IT MEANT THAT THE DECISION MADE WAS TO END EVERYTHING AND THEY WERE POISED TO USE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITHIN THEIR POWERS AND CONNECTIONS TO DO IT.

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SENDING JESUS TO PONTIUS PILATE WAS THEREFORE A CONSCIOUS DECISION AND NOT COINCIDENTAL. IT WAS A REFLECTION OF THE POWER PLAY THAT MADE GOD AN OBSERVER IN THE MIDST OF THE DEVIL AND HUMAN AUTHORITY AT WORK TO PROMOTE HIS PERFECT WILL OF ETERNAL SALVATION THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.

THE MESSAGE REVEALS THAT THE DETERMINATION OF YOUR ENEMIES TO NAIL YOU ON THE CROSS WITH HEATHEN AND UNBELIEVING POLITICAL AUTHORITIES CAN BE THE STEPPING STONE TO FULFILLMENT OF YOUR DESTINY ACCORDING TO THE PERFECT PLAN AND WILL OF GOD. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS AND FEAR WHEN YOU ARE TO APPEAR BEFORE POLITICAL AUTHORTIES. RATHER BE PREPARED, PRAYERFUL, WISE, DISCERNING AND FOCUSED LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST DURING THIS EASTER SEASON AND CHALLENGING TIMES IN LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH. B// JESUS’ APPEARANCE BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE

Pontius Pilate was the fifth prefect of the Roman province of Judaea from AD 26 to 36. He served under Emperor Tiberius, and is best known today for the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The Chief Priests, Elders, Scribes and the whole Sanhedrin needed partnership to bring to pass their diabolic plans. They hid under the Roman Authorities to execute their plan of action but God was in it fulfill Jesus’ prophecy of testifying before all sorts of rulers, kings, governors, leaders, etc. and the heathen. We read MATTHEW 27:11 – 14 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.  Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

The partnership between Pontius Pilate and the religious leaders was always cordial as long as there was peace on the part of the Jews especially the Zealots who wanted to use violence to liberate Israel from bondage of the Romans. The appearance of Jesus before him was to serve a dual purpose of satisfying the religious leaders and then also getting their support of controlling the Zealots for peace to prevail. It was on this premise that the religious leaders were confident in the decision of Pontius Pilate to be against Jesus and thus make them achieve their diabolic agenda.

When the governor questioned Jesus about His identity as the king of the Jews, He replied the same way as to the Chief Priest when he invoked the scriptures to have a reply from Him. Another dimension to Jesus’ answer meant the words: EXACTLY AS YOU SAY! Despite the accusations by the Chief Priests and Elders, Jesus remained calm and focused and answered not a word to them. Pilate marveled greatly because the accusations were serious to make him authorize and command death and yet Jesus remained silent. At a point he thought that Jesus was deaf and did not hear the words of His accusers. Truly, Jesus reaction was unlike other accusers who stood before him and begged and cried for mercy and pardon.

It revealed that Jesus was ready for the cross and did not allow His appearance before the governor to alter the process of eternal salvation for humanity. He was ready for more humiliation and suffering. It meant that Jesus heard every word of accusation against Him and was mindful of the plot to kill Him but knew that it was in fulfillment of the prophecy of laying down and resurrecting from the dead; laying down his life and taking it back again as revealed in the destruction and building the temple within three days (JOHN 2:19 – 21). Indeed, He spoke of His own body as a temple and the Jews and even the religious leaders could and did not discern and know that He was talking about Himself.

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There are many things you will hear and see to provoke you to sin and defend yourself against the perfect plan and will of God for your life, ministry and the Church. It means to be discerning and wise like Jesus Christ before the kinds of Pontius Pilate who easily implement the wickedness of the devil. Surprising, these same people become instruments of God’s plans and will to promote the revelation of Christ and righteousness to other people. Since the focus of God is on you and not your enemies per se, be spiritual and focused like Jesus and see and experience the power of God’s salvation in your life, ministry, Church and blessing of humanity.

THE PARTNSEHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL AUTHORITIES ARE INEVITABLE TO ACHIEVE GOOD AND EVIL AGENDA IN LIFE. HOWEVER, GOD FOCUSES ON THE RIGHTEOUS TO DO HIS WORKS AND NOT ON THE UNRIGHTEOUS. TRULY, THE EYES OF GOD WAS ON JESUS AND NOT PONTIUS PILATE AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN THEIR ACCUSATIONS. KNOW THAT GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF USING YOUR ENEMIES AT ALL LEVELS TO PROMOTE HIS PLANS AND WILL FOR THE BLESSING OF HUMANITY.

LET THE EASTER SEASON BE FILLED WITH FOCUS ON ETERNAL THINGS THAT COMMANDS THE BLESSING OF GOD ON HUMANITY DESPITE INCREASED THREATS, INSULTS, BEATINGS, LIES, DECEITS, AND EVIL PLOTS TO END YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY. IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL, BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BE WISE BUDDY.

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JESUS’ APPEARANCE BEFORE HEROD

The power play was at work and Jesus had to testify before kings and governors. The hostile and unfriendly words and actions of the Chief Priests, Elders, Scribes and the people against Jesus before Pontius Pilate was so strong that he feared a rebellion on their part and therefore looked for an opportunity to make a wise decision to appease them and also not have innocent blood on his hands. Having listened to Jesus, he found that there was nothing wrong about Him but the religious leaders just envied Him. Therefore as soon as he heard that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent them to Herod; for Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction.

A// PILATE SENT JESUS TO HEROD

LUKE 23:6 & 7 – When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.  And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 

This was a great relief to Pilate whose courts was charged with anger and resentment by the religious leaders. The fear of a tumult was there and he did not want to cause the displeasure of the Roman Authorities. As soon as he heard of Jesus being a Galilean, he quickly sent him to Herod to question and judge Him. The religious leaders followed Jesus to Herod in Jerusalem and maintained their accusations against Him that deserved death.

It shows that Pilate was in a dilemma to either prove his wisdom and innocence in a good judgment or bowed down to pressure from the Jewish religious leaders. Yes he found no fault with Jesus and how he wished the Jewish religious leaders sided with him to make a good judgment without recourse to allegations of lies and deceit. This dilemma tormented him psychologically and explained why he released Jesus to Herod as a Galilean to escape eternal condemnation.

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When your enemies are in a dilemma, they just hand you over to other enemies for the same reasons unto condemnation. Be ready for any eventuality and know that even your background is grounds for the devil to use against you. Be prayerful and discerning.

THE TRIAL OF JESUS BEFORE PILATE COMMANDED PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS THAT INTERMINGLED TO CREATE FEAR AND PANIC AMONG THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES AND THEIR ALLIES FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE AGRESSIVENESS, BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS WERE UNPRECEDENTED AND SIGNALED PILATE OF AN INEVITABLE UPRISING IF HE SET JESUS FREE. THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE FROM THE AGRESSIVENESS OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS WAS PILATE’S TEMPORARY SILENCE ON THIS MATTER.

TRULY, YOUR ENEMIES CANNOT CONTAIN THE ANOINTING IN YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH AND WOULD CHANGE HANDS TO SAVE THEIR FACE FROM SHAME AND DISGRACE. JUST BE READY FOR ANY EVENTUALITY LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

B// HEROD ENCOUNTERED JESUS FOR THE FIRST TIME

LUKE 23:8 – Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

Herod's father was by descent an Edomite, descendants of Esau, whose ancestors had converted to Judaism. Herod was raised as a Jew. A loyal supporter of Hyrcanus II, Antipater appointed his son Herod governor of Galilee in 47 BCE, when Herod was either about 25 or 28 years old. His elder brother, Phasael, was appointed governor of Jerusalem. Herod enjoyed the backing of Rome, but his brutality was condemned by the Sanhedrin (WILKIPAEDIA).

Herod’s desire was to meet Jesus face to face because He was the one that ordered the killing of John the Baptist in prison after his irrevocable oath to his step daughter. The appearance of Jesus with performance of signs and wonders and many people following Him was his desire to meet Him early in His ministry. For him, it was like John the Baptist whom he beheaded had reincarnated. The word of God is true as we read

PROVERBS 13:19a – A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,

The ability to accomplish a desire either by sight, hear, speaking, participation, etc. is satisfying and fulfilling in life. This was the desire of Herod in his longing to see Jesus and Pilate made that possible for him. His reason was that Jesus was a miracle worker and He wanted to see Him perform such noted miracles reported to Him. This desire was long overdue as the events of Jesus’ ministry recorded in

MARK 6:14 – 18 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”  Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.” But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist at the time and Jesus’ ministry had become popular with the people. It is reported that Herod heard of Jesus’ mighty works and concluded that John the Baptist is risen from the

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dead and his powers were at work in Jesus. It was clear from the beginning that Herod’s perception of Jesus was evil and wanted to end His ministry like the way he did to John Baptist. With the varying conclusions of people about John’s ministry equated to some of Israel’s noted prophets like Elijah, Herod in his pride reaffirmed his admission to have personally masterminded the killing of John the Baptist and has been raised from the dead. It was also clear from the scriptures that Herod hated John the Baptist because of his condemnation of marriage to his brother Philip’s wife; the sin of adultery.

It meant that Herod saw John the Baptist whom he had beheaded in Jesus and therefore desired greatly to see Jesus in life. It is also true that Jesus avoided him because of his diabolic intentions. It was on this premises that Herod wanted to see Jesus and experience some of His miracles and probably check whether it was of the kind of John the Baptist.

It means to be careful in life and ministry and wise like our Lord Jesus Christ to avoid the presence of the kind of Herods’ whose desire is to make us perform righteous acts and then make mockery of them in disbelief. Let such encounters be in the perfect will of God for a testimony and not for showmanship. In this Easter season, let your ways and acts portray confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ to appear before any kind of Herod who might have followed and observed your ministry. Be discerning and wise.

THE EASTER SEASON REMINDS US OF HEROD’S ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS BECAUSE OF HIS DESIRE TO SEE HIM FOR A LONG TIME SINCE HE BEGAN HIS MINISTRY. KNOW THAT THE KIND OF HERODS WHO WANT TO MEET YOU FOR PERFORMANCE OF A MIRACLE ARE ALSO UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF GOD AND YOUR PRAYERS AND INTEGRITY IN CHRIST AND LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL MAKE YOU RISE UP ABOVE THEM.

C// HEROD’S QUESTIONS PROVED FUTILE

LUKE 23:9 – 11 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Herod questioned Jesus with many words to make Him demonstrate some of His supernatural powers to convince him and win his favour before the Jewish religious leaders. Herod was a mocker of the Jewish people and therefore mocked and made funny statements about Jesus. He wanted to experience miracles in his very eyes but was highly disappointed with Jesus’ silence. The Jewish religious leaders took advantage and increased their accusations and condemnations of Jesus to deserve death.

Herod and his men of war, then, treated Jesus with ridicule, and made Him a laughing stock through the putting on of a beautiful royal robe like a king. As part of the accusations, Jesus was described as King of the Jews to arouse jealousy on the part of the Roman Authorities, kings and governors. What Herod did not know about Jesus was His victory over the devil’s temptations in the desert for forty (40) days. When Herod realized that Jesus would not perform miracles and not answer his questions, he sent him back to Pilate.

Another agenda had failed in the face of the Jewish religious leaders who wanted the death of Jesus at all costs. It is a message that the Easter season reveals the power play with the wisdom of God superior to the wisdom of the devil and Jesus’ enemies. Even all the shouts and threats of Herod could not make Jesus do the things he desired of Him long ago. It means to be led by the Holy Spirit and know when to speak or be silent at given situations. It means to remain faithful at all times and focused when you are at the verge of victory before your enemies.

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THE DEVIL AND YOUR ENEMIES WANT TO DISGRACE YOU AND MAKE A MOCKERY OF YOUR LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH BUT YOU NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON YOUR SET GOALS IN YOUR MISSION AND NEVER ALLOW THEM TO DISCOURAGE AND DIVERT YOUR ATTENTION. IT MEANS TO REMAIN SILENT AS LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT DEMONSTRATED IN THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS BEFORE HEROD. IT MEANS TO SAY YES LORD EVEN WHEN YOU BECOME A THEATRE WHERE PEOPLE WATCH AND MAKE MOCKERY OF YOUR LIFE, WORKS, MINSITRY AND THE CHURCH.

D// ENEMIES BECAME FRIENDS

LUKE 23:12 – That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Easter is a beautiful story of reconciliation between divinity and humanity through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The process of reconciliation began earlier with Jesus’ ministry and teachings to reconcile humanity to God. Even in the midst of enemies, the presence of Jesus reconciled Pilate with Herod. Originally, they were enemies because of jurisdiction controls. They had records of antagonism towards each other but had the same purpose and agenda towards Jesus.

When enemies reunite for a common interests and goals, it makes the agenda more powerful and achievable. For God, it meant that eternal salvation set in motion was almost achievable but for the Jewish religious leaders who hated Jesus, it was a great opportunity to put Jesus to death. It seemed to them that they had managed to have support from heathen people to back their diabolic plans.

It means to say that if Pilate and Herod who were enemies became friends because of common interests, then the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s extension of a reconciliatory hand towards humanity and therefore all believers as Christians. To love your enemy affirms Jesus’ teaching to His disciples and the multitudes who followed Him in ministry. All these happenings became possible because of the superior wisdom of God demonstrated by Jesus’ appearances before Pilate and Herod.

THE ART OF RECONCILIATION DURING THE EASTER SEASON WHERE THE PRESENCE OF JESUS BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD MADE THEM FRIENDS WAS A TIP OF THE ICEBERG. IT SOUNDED THE MESSAGE THAT CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION WAS GOING TO HAVE A DEEPER AND BIGGER LEVEL OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN DIVINITY AND HUMANITY.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT WHEN ENEMIES UNITE FOR A COMMON CAUSE AGAINST YOU, THEN KNOW THAT GOD IS ABOUT TO PROVE HIS WORD IN YOUR LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH. IT MEANS TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BE FOCUSED TO ACHIEVE GOD’S PURPOSE IN CHRIST BEYOND THE LEVEL OF YOUR ENEMIES.

I PROPHESY INTO YOUR LIFE, MINISTRY AND CHURCH THAT ENEMIES WILL BECOME FRIENDS BECAUSE OF YOU BUT GOD’S MISSION AND VISION IN CHRIST WOULD BE GREATER AND MIGHTIER TO HAVE MEMORABLE TESTIMONIES OF RECONCILIATION OF DIVINITY WITH HUMANITY. BE WISE BUDDY.

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APPEARANCE BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE (2)

A// PILATE ATTEMPTED TO SUBSTITUTE JESUS WITH BARABBAS

MATTHEW 27:15 – 21 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”

Pilate was determined to release Jesus because he found no fault with Him and also because he knew that the religious leaders envied Him for the testimonies of the people about His teachings, healings, miracles, signs and wonders (V. 18). It had become a norm with the relationship of Pilate dynasty with the Israelites to release a prisoner to them during the Passover celebration. The process was that a question would be thrown to them and makes a demand for a preferred prisoner before them to be released. He offered them two options: The notorious violent prisoner Barabbas and Jesus who is called Christ. Pilate’s hope was that the yes votes would be in favour of Jesus but the great influence of the Jewish religious leaders backed by the spirit of the devil at that time, as an act of God’s superior wisdom, turned in favour of Barabbas.

The power play had become stronger and this tormented Pilate even more because of Jesus’ presence. Seeing Him again revived his psychological dilemma to create a balanced judgment. Besides, Pilate’s wife dreamt about Jesus and saw Him as a righteous man to be put to death. Her sufferings and psychological trauma added to Pilate’s woes and dilemma. She was straightforward with her message: “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” Pilate became more afraid ever than before because his family and especially his wife was also being tormented because of Jesus’ judgment. It revealed the truth of God’s word in

PSALMS 105:15 – Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”

The Psalmist described the eternal faithfulness of the LORD towards His servants and people and shows that God has declared His word of protection and preservation over them. It means to say that when anointed people of God are persecuted and judged wrongly, He reacts to their prayers and works for His glory and for their deliverance and blessing as an everlasting testimony.

The sounding accusations of the Chief Priests, Elders and Scribes and the people were louder to release Barabbas and not Jesus. Pilate’s authority and dynasty was under attack psychologically from all sides because of the custom of releasing one prisoner as the preferred choice of the people. Like Herod who beheaded John the Baptist under oath, he was also man of principles, law abiding and obeyed agreed laws, and customs with the Israelites. His last intervention and strategy to make the people change their verdict was to question them again about the two prisoners preferred to be released. He wanted to be very sure that the people’s decision was beyond the accusations of the Jewish religious leaders. Surprisingly, he received the same answer: Barabbas

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THE MESSIANIC PROPHECY HAD TO BE FULFILLED AND JESUS’ APPEARANCE AGAIN BEFORE PILATE PROVED THE SUPERIORITY OF THE WISDOM OF GOD OVER THE DEVIL AND HUMANITY. EVEN WHEN PILATE DECIDED TO USE THE CUSTOM OF THE JEWS TO SAVE JESUS FROM DEATH, THE SYSTEM FAILED AND RATHER RESULTED IN THE PEOPLES PREFERRED CHOICE OF THE NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL BARABBAS. YES PEOPLE AND EVEN THE DEVIL CANNOT CHANGE THE ETERNAL PLANS AND PURPOSES OF GOD FOR THE BLESSING OF HUMANITY AND THE CHURCH. THE POWER PLAY WITH DOMINANCE OF THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL PROMOTED THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD TO HAVE JESUS CONDEMNED TO DEATH FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ETERNAL SALVATION.

THE MESSAGE REVEALS ALSO THAT YOU CAN’T TORMENT AND PUNISH ANOINTED PEOPLE OF GOD AS MINISTERS AND CHRISTIANS, AND STILL HAVE PEACE OF MIND. JUST AS PILATE UNDERWENT A PSYCHOLOGICAL TRUAMA, LIKEWISE YOUR ENEMIES WHO PERSECUTE YOU EVEN AS THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD WILL ALSO COME UNDER PRESSURE FROM ALL SIDES. IT MEANS TO SAY ALSO THAT THE EVIL APPEARANCES AND WORKS AND JUDGMENT OF ENEMIES OUTSIDE THE WILL OF GOD WOULD RESULT IN GREATER PUNISHMENTS WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL TRUAMAS THAN THAT OF PILATE.

B// PILATE MADE HIS FINAL DECISION

MATTHEW 27:22 – 26 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

The determination of Pilate to save Jesus from death was true because he found no fault with Him. The revealed dream of his wife justified his determination to protect Jesus. Even when the people decided in favour of Barabbas to be released, he questioned them about what to do with Jesus. He expected them to answer by saying that Jesus should be imprisoned. Rather, they shouted His death: “Let Him be crucified!” When Pilate questioned them to justify their decision for Jesus’ death, they sounded louder than the former and again declared: “Let Him be crucified!”

Sometimes when the voices and accusations of your enemies sound louder after all the prayers and righteous works in obedience to Christ, know that God is about to do something great and memorable with eternal blessings and edification for the Church. It means not to be anxious and feel discouraged and abandoned but prayerful and discerning to be in the perfect will of God as Christians and leaders, and as a Church.

Like Job, what Pilate feared most began to manifest; that is an uprising of the people (JOB 3:25). The peoples’ reaction to Pilate’s decision to protect Jesus from death nearly turned into a violent confrontation. No Roman Authority or an ally of the Roman Authorities wanted violence and insurrections in territories of jurisdiction to weaken authority and explained their strong internal and external security policies to quickly silence enemies. Besides, they never wanted to incur the displeasure of Rome and especially the Emperor because of bringing in a higher authority regiment for replacement purpose.

That was Pilate’s fear and headache and in a symbolic gesture, he washed his hands publicly and made a statement to signify innocence in the death of Jesus. He said that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus; that

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in whatever happened to Jesus after leaving his presence. Whatever the people wanted do with him, they could do it but not to be associated with Jesus’ accusations.

Amazingly, the response of the people revealed that they had made their decision from the bottom of their hearts and not under the compulsion of even their religious leaders. It signified blindness to spiritual identity and truth about Jesus as the Christ. They knew that shedding innocent blood by the law was a curse and God hated it (PROVERBS 6:17) but they were ready for any curse if there was because they made the right decision in their own eyes. For they said: “His blood be on us and on our children.”

Again the amazing thing about this self – imposed curse was that the generation of the Jews that made this proclamation made it generational to include their children. It meant that every generation would have their descendants to reject Jesus and accept the kind of Barabbas in life. No wonder even in Israel where the gospel of Jesus Christ emanated, there are still sons and daughters of these Jews who disbelieve in God’s eternal salvation plan for humanity. They believe in the laws of Moses and the Prophets but not Jesus as the Christ. In this Easter season, such people will not celebrate it because they do not believe in Christ’s death and resurrection and benefit to the world.

It is a message that all religious people who believe in the Laws of Moses and other Prophets, and claim to worship God but disbelieve in Jesus Christ are all sons and daughters of these people. Religious people who shed innocent blood of anointed Ministers of Christ receive the curse of God like those people before Pilate.

The decision of Pilate was final. He released Barabbas to the people in accordance with their custom and as preferred choice but gave the command to beat Jesus with whips and delivered Him to be crucified on the cross as a condemned criminal.

Truly, the secret things belong to God except revealed things to us for generational blessings (DEUTERONOMY 29:29). I see a picture of triple rejoicing in heaven, earth and the devil’s kingdom because all plans and goals were almost achievable now besides Pilate and his wife. In heaven, God’s eternal plan and salvation was about to be fulfilled. On earth, the diabolic plans of the Jewish religious leaders and people to end Jesus’ works was achievable. In the devil’s kingdom, he and his demons foresaw a future of their activities without Jesus; though blind anyway. In this Easter season, be led by the Holy Spirit in your celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection.

PILATE MADE HIS DECISION TO RELEASE BARABBAS BUT CRUCIFIED JESUS AFTER A PERIOD OF INDECISION, PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, TEMPORARY ESCAPE FROM JUDGING JESUS, AND CAUTION FROM HIS WIFE, AGGRESSIVENESS OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND PEOPLE AND FEAR OF AN UPRISING. HIS SYMBOLIC PUBLIC WASHING OF THE HANDS AND STATEMENT TO DECLARE HIS INNOCENCE WAS THE ATTEMPT TO SHOW FORTH A LIFE OF INTEGRITY AND REDEEM HIS IMAGE BEFORE THE PEOPLE. HIS DECISION WAS ALSO BUTTRESSED BY THE DECLARATION OF THE PEOPLE EVEN WITH A SELF – IMPOSED CURSE TO ACCEPT PRESENT AND FUTURE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS.

AGAIN THE SUPERIOR WISDOM OF GOD PROVED THAT GOD CAN BE SILENT AND OBSERVE EARTHLY EVENTS THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM AND OTHER HUMAN INSTITUTIONS AGAINST HIS CHOSEN SERVANTS FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE. IT MEANS THAT THE SILENCE OF GOD DOES NOT MEAN HIS WEAKNESS BUT RATHER HIS STRENGTH TO WAIT PATIENTLY FOR ALL THE EARTHLY AND SATAN’S PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES TO BE COMPLETED. ONCE THEY SERVE HIS PURPOSE AND WILL, GOD REMAINS SILENT AND ONLY STEPS IN TO CHANGE SITUATIONS CONTRARY TO HIS PERFECT WILL BECAUSE OF ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.

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YES THE EASTER SEASON SHOWS THE RELEASE OF BARABBAS BUT CONDEMNATION OF JESUS TO DEATH ON THE CROSS AS THE PERFECT PLAN AND WILL OF GOD. IT REVEALED ANOTHER LEVEL OF RECONCILIATION WHERE THE RELEASE OF THE NOTORIOUS PRISONER BARABBAS SYMBOLIZED THE MASS FREEDOM OF ALL SINNERS AND CRIMINALS FROM THE DEVIL’S BONDAGE AND IMPRISONMENT THROUGH CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION IN BELIEF. WE ARE IN THAT SEASON OF GOD’S FAVOUR AND THE PREACHING AND BELIEF OF CHRIST DEATH AND RESURRECTIONS WITH PRAYERS SETS FREE PEOPLE FROM THE BONDAGE AND IMPRISONMENT OF THE DEVIL FOREVER. TRULY, EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST SING THIS SONG OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. BE WISE BUDDY.

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PUBLIC CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST (1) 

A// CHASTISED AND TORTURED AT PILATE'S PRAETORIANMATTHEW 27:27 - 31 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.Pilate's decision meant that Jesus was condemned to death on the cross in suffering on that fateful day before the Sabbath. The original intention was to scourge Jesus and release Him because he found no fault in Him (LUKE 23:22). The process was punishment to weaken the body and make death on the cross quick and not waste anybody’s time. It was a form of public punishment meted to enemies of the Roman Authorities and similar to the Jewish stoning of breakers of the law like what nearly happened to the woman caught in adultery (JOHN 8:1 - 12).For Jesus, prophecy was fulfilled with His scourging in Pilate's praetorian in His journey to the cross. We readISAIAH 53:5 - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.It was written of Him that the Christ would suffer in the body with wounds from whips as scourges for our sins. It was necessary that He suffered this way to pay the price for our peace with God. Besides, healing would be received in the physical body and even spiritual body through His stripes. The decision of Pilate and experiences of Jesus at the Praetorian fulfilled the Messianic prophecy. He was whipped mercilessly for thirty nine times by the Roman soldiers who also mocked Him as written of all the gospel stories (MATTHEW 27:26, MARK 15:15, LUKE 18:33 and JOHN 19:1).Jesus’ ability to endure the torture in the hands of the Roman soldiers was mind boggling and revealed His preparedness and determination to go to the cross.Furthermore, the soldiers stripped Jesus of His robe and put a scarlet robe on Him, twisted crown of thorns on His head and a reed in His hand. Then they mocked at Him, took off their robe and put back His robe on Him and led Him to be crucified. They spat on Him, saluted and bowed down on their knees to Him and said: Hail, King of the Jews (MARK 15:17 - 20). Truly, Jesus could die on the cross in His robe other than any other robe in the semblance of David’s rejection of Saul’s military uniform but his normal shepherd dress (1 SAMUEL 17:38 & 39).

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It reveals Jesus’ public humiliation that weakened Him physically. God watched His Son Jesus Christ suffer this way because of the high price of eternal salvation. It means to claim and receive the promises of God like healing and peace that by His stripes and chastisement, we are healed completely.ON EASTER FRIDAY, JESUS SUFFERED IN THE PRAETORIAN OF PILATE LIKE A CAUGHT REBEL OR CRIMINAL. HE SUFFERED IN THE HANDS OF ROMAN SOLDIERS WHO SCOURGED HIM THIRTY NINE TIMES AS WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY. ALL THE WHIPS, MOCKERY, CROWN OF THORNS BROUGHT UNIMAGINABLE PAIN AND SUFFERING TO HIS BODY BUT FULFILLED THE ISAIAH'S MESSIANIC PROPHECY TO HEAL US OF SICKNESSES AND DISEASES, AND MENTAL HEALING TO HAVE PEACE WITH GOD AND HOPE FOR ETERNITY.IT MEANS TO REJOICE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD IN CHRIST SUFFERING AND BE HEALTHY IN THE BODY AND MIND WITH HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN ETERNITY. IF CHRIST SUFFERED THIS WAY FOR YOU, THEN LET THE EASTER SEASON REFLECT GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU AND THE CHURCH WHO HAVE BEEN REDEEMED. WHEN YOU PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION, REMEMBER TO PROCLAIM HIS SUFFERING THAT WAS PROPHETIC AND TURNED BY GOD FOR OUR BLESSING. KNOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CONFIRMS CHRIST’S SUFFERING AND BENEFITS TO US.

B// THE HELPER, SIMON THE CYRENIAN

MATTHEW 27:32 - Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.

The journey to the cross was not an easy one for Jesus because of the pain and suffering in His body from the thirty nine lashes that resulted in cuts, disfigured body and bloodshed. Besides, the crown of thorns had sharp edges that penetrated into His head and caused Him pain and bloodahed. It meant that Jesus lost blood before carrying the heavy cross to a point in His journey to crucifixion.Truly, everything about Jesus was and is still a blessing to humanity as it was with the help of Simon the Cyrene. The Roman soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross uphill to Golgatha (place of skulls) because Jesus was drained of energy and too weak to continue carrying His cross.It is symbolic of carrying the message of Christ’s death and resurrection to the whole world. It is about doing the works of Jesus Christ in labours, sufferings and in the power of the Holy Spirit to bless humanity and deliverances from Satan’s bondages on people. It is about extending a helping hand to one another in the Church in love for spiritual growth and maturity. It is about bearing one another's burdens in love beyond compulsion. It is about being led by the Holy Spirit to spend time, energy, money and other resources for the sake of Christ and His Church to benefit people at all levels of society.In this Easter season, ponder and meditate on the helping hand of Simon the Cyrene and find out whether you are fulfilling this spiritual role in your life, ministry and the Church. Pray for your Pastors, Church leaders and the entire Church. Be led by the Holy Spirit to preach, teach and promote and establish God’s righteousness in Christ as a Christian. Yes be a believing Simon the Cyrene and not a disbelieving Simon the Cyrene who help and support only under compulsion and fear of life or exposure of past evil works.BE A BELIEVING CHRISTIAN TO OFFER HELPS AND SUPPORTS TO THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE IN LOVE AND NOT A DISBELIEVING PERSON UNDER COMPULSION. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES IT EASY AND ACCOMMODATED DESPITE ITS SACRIFICIAL ASPECT IN PAIN AND SUFFERING IN SERVICE.

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 PUBLIC CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST (2) 

A// PUBLIC ACCUSATIONS AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS

MATTHEW 27:33 - 56 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. Jesus Dies on the Cross. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Jesus public crucifixion was to portray Him as a false messiah by the Chief Priests, Elders, Scribes, Sanhedrin, the Jews, Herod and Pilate. All of them had something in common: Condemned Jesus unto death on the cross. For them as enemies, they had ended another challenging personality and situation to both Jews and Roman Authority. They perceived peace in both realms.For God and His Messianic prophecy, scriptures was fulfilled with Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross. The shedding of His blood through His nailed pierced hands and legs and scourges, and crown of thorns. Jesus fought a great battle in His journey to the cross to the admiration of God.Indeed, Jesus Christ became the Passover Lamb according to the eternal plan of God revealed and prophesied by John the Baptist (JOHN 1:29). By His shed righteous blood more than bulls and goats, He cleansed us from dead works to serve the living God (HEBREWS 9:13 & 14). He is described as the Passover Lamb without spot or blemish (1 PETER 1:19) and a Lamb among the four living creatures in the midst of the throne of God in heaven (REVELATION 5:6).Even on the cross, the accusations and condemnations continued on a greater scale. Apart from Jesus’ disciples who stood afar and watched Him, all other people present spoke words against Him to make Him look like a false Messiah.

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People who passed by Jesus on the cross spoke blasphemous words about Him. They misinterpreted Jesus’ words of breaking down the temple and building in three (3) days (V. 39 & 40). They did not understand that Jesus talked about His body in crucifixion and death, and resurrection from the dead in three days.The Chief Priests, Elders and Scribes mocked Jesus and portrayed Him as a false Messiah and an opportunist to make Himself king of the Jews. Their accusations was that Jesus could save other people but was now in a powerless situation on the cross. That is he could not save Himself. Again, they said that if He was the King of Israel, He should come down from the cross and then they would believe Him. They invoked their earlier accusation of Him claiming to be the Son of God. (V. 41 - 43). In this act, they became like Herod who wanted Jesus to perform a miracle before he believed in Him.Even the robbers also tormented Jesus on the cross with same accusations though one of them repented and was forgiven (V. 44 and LUKE 23:39 - 43).The good news is that many disciples of Jesus watched Him from afar as witnesses to His painful death on the cross as a criminal. They included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Jose's and the mother of Zebedee's sons. They observed in grief and fear without accusations and condemnations.THE LEVEL OF ACCUSATIONS BY JESUS’ ENEMIES INCREASED AT HIS CRUCIFIXION ON THE CROSS. IT WAS A PSYCHOLOGICAL TORMENT FROM A UNIFIED GROUP OF THE PEOPLE, CHIEF PRIESTS, ELDERS, SCRIBES, ROMAN AUTHORITIES AND EVEN ROBBERS.THEY REMINDED HIM OF ALL ACCUSATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST HIM TO JUSTIFY HIS CRUCIFIXION BUT WERE BLIND TO COMPLETION OF ETERNAL WORK OF SALVATION AS FULFILLMENT OF THE MESSIANIC PROPHECY. IT WAS A PUBLIC SPECTACLE THAT MARKED FORGIVENESS OF SINS THROUGH CHRIST SHED BLOOD AS THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD.IT MEANS TO APPRECIATE CHRIST’S PUBLIC HUMILIATION AND DEATH ON THE CROSS AND VICTORY OVER ENEMIES ACCUSATIONS. IT REVEALED THE DETERMINED PURPOSE OF GOD TO SACRIFICE HIS SON JESUS CHRIST ACHIEVE ETERNAL SALVATION AND LIFE FOR HUMANITY ESPECIALLY ALL BELIEVERS. THEREFORE, BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOUR SINS AND RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD FOR YOUR ACCEPTANCE AS A CHILD OF GOD; A CHRISTIAN.

B// JESUS WAS BURIED IN THE TOMB OF JOSEPH THE ARIMATHEA

MATTHEW 27:57 - 60 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

JESUS HAD TO RESURRECT FROM THE GRAVE BEYOND HUMAN DOUBTS AND THE DEVIL'S MANIPULATIONS. THEREFORE ONE OF JESUS’ DISCIPLES, NAMED JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, OFFERED HIS TOMB FOR JESUS’ BURIAL AS AN ACT OF GOD.HE SOUGHT PERMISSION FROM PILATE AND IT WAS GRANTED HIM BUT UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES AND THE SANHEDRIN. THE REASON WAS THAT JESUS CLAIMED RESURRECTION ON THE THIRD DAY AND THEREFORE HIS DISCIPLES WANTED TO STEAL THE BODY AND MAKE IT LOOK REAL. THEREFORE, A LARGE STONE WAS PUT ON THE DOOR OF THE TOMB.THE DEVIL AND YOUR ENEMIES MUST HAVE PUT LARGE STONES ON YOUR PROPHECIES AND BLESSING OF MARRIAGE, FAMILY, CHILDREN, FINANCES, JOB, PROSPERITY, ETC. THE GOOD

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NEWS IS THAT GOD ALLOWS THE LARGE STONES AS OBSTACLES AND STUMBLING BLOCKS SO THAT HE WILL ROLL THEM AWAY FOR HIS GLORY.IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL, FOCUSED IN YOUR TIME OF ACCUSATIONS, ABANDONMENT, “DEFEATS”, AND SEE AND EXPERIENCE THE MIRACLE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE. LET THIS EASTER SEASON INCREASE YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH FOR A BLESSING IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HALLELUJAH!

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 JESUS’ DEATH AND THE UNDERWORLD OF THE DEAD (1) 

 THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ALLIES 

MATTHEW 27:62 - 66 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.The open confrontation and challenge of the Jewish religious leaders against Jesus continued even with His public crucifixion on the cross, and burial in the tomb of Joseph from Arimathea. The gospel story shows that the day after Jesus’ crucifixion which obviously was the Sabbath day, the Chief Priests and their allies of the Pharisees went to Pilate and made derogatory statements about Jesus.They described Him as a deceiver in confidence because they witnessed His crucifixion and death on the cross and therefore decided to maintain their victory. The “first deceit” had been exposed by Jesus crucifixion and death but the “second deceit” was alleged to be more dangerous because His disciples were determined to come and steal Jesus’ body and make it look like His promise of resurrection had been achieved.Pilate seemed convinced and therefore assigned a guard and tasked the Chief Priests and Pharisees to secure the entrance of the tomb and thus avert any attempt of the disciples to steal Jesus’ body at night. Therefore, a large stone and a guard was placed at the tomb as two impossible situations to prevent Jesus’ resurrection and any attempt to steal His body; since Roman power was the world’s power at that era.It is amazing the close partnership between the Chief Priests and the Pharisees because of doctrinal differences. The former did not believe in Jesus’ resurrection like the Sadducees unlike the latter with the doctrine of resurrection. Either the Chief Priests managed to convince the Pharisees that Jesus was nobody special as the Messiah or it was an opportunity for the Pharisees doctrine of resurrection to be confirmed in Jesus’ promise.It is also true about Jesus that the penalty of sin as death sent Him to the grave and the underworld like a prisoner. Though He lived a righteous life, the weight of sin of the whole world beyond the nation of Israel pushed Him down into hades and shoel.Again the power play and superior wisdom of God was at work and about to change hands of spiritual authority when Jesus Christ overcame the underworld of sin, evil, devil and imprisonment. There was going to be transfer of power and authority from the Chief Priests and Sanhedrin to the Church and all believers as Christians. This was not automatic because Jesus had to prove Himself as an Overcomer and Victor.

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THE MESSAGE REVEALED THAT EVEN IN DEATH AND BURIAL, THE ETERNAL WORDS OF JESUS CONTINUED TO AWAKEN THE SENSES AND CONSCIENCES OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS JUST LIKE HIS DISCIPLES. BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL SECURITY MEASURES WERE PUT IN PLACE TO PREVENT AND STOP ANY ATTEMPT OF ROBBERY OF JESUS’ BODY BY THE DISCIPLES AT NIGHT.THE CLOSE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES WAS THE DETERMINATION OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WAS THEIR SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS THAT GOD USED TO PROVE THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST’S MESSIAHSHIP.LET YOUR ENEMIES CONTINUE TO CONSPIRE AGAINST YOU IN YOUR TIME OF WEAKNESS, ABANDONMENT AND LONELINESS BECAUSE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD TO PROVE HIS WORD IN YOUR LIFE. LET YOUR ENEMIES CONTINUE TO FURTHER THEIR EVIL AGENDA AGAINST YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN A KIND OF GRAVE BECAUSE GOD IS ABOUT TO CAUSE YOUR RESURRECTION AND VICTORY. 

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JESUS’ DEATH AND THE UNDERWORLD OF THE DEAD (2)  

 JESUS DEALT WITH THE ROOT OF SIN, EVIL AND IMPRISONMENT

The bible is clear that many people were kept as prisoners of the devil in hades or shoel because of sin. It is a place usually considered under the earth far from human existence. However, the parable of Jesus about the rich man and Lazarus show that righteous people were kept in a safe place where Abraham and his seed of believers were located. That explained why the poor man was described as being in Abraham's bosom but the rich man in a place of torment in hades/shoel (LUKE 16:19 - 31).When Jesus died on the cross, the weight of sin pushed Him down to the earth and with the thief on the cross who believed Him, they went down to paradise; safe place of hades/shoel. Before resurrection, Jesus went to paradise and saw all righteous people kept there. All these people waited patiently for the redemption of their souls in shoel by the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in His resurrection and ascension.Scripture had to be fulfilled as written inPSALM 16:10 - For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.The messianic redemption could only be fulfilled if the Christ resurrected from the dead. Jesus knew that God would raise Him from the dead. Therefore, it was impossible for Christ to remain in the grave at the tomb of Joseph Arimathea and His soul in paradise. His body could not decay in the grave.Apostle Peter confirmed Christ’s sacrificial sufferings and death as a one-time sacrifice for all sinners to reconcile us to God physically and spiritually. We read1 PETER 3:18 - 20 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.The message reveals that Christ’s death on the cross was physical in the eyes of people and was truly buried in the grave like all dead people. Beyond the realm of the physical eyes into the realm of the spiritual, His soul

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went to paradise and He used this divine and unique opportunity to preach to the spirits of dead people who disobeyed God’s command to be part of Noah’s ark and therefore perished in the flood.Ask me about why Jesus chose to preach and reveal Himself to these spirits in prison as the Christ and Messiah, and I will tell you that God is Sovereign. In truth, there was going to be a relocation of paradise to the third heaven and they needed to be part of this glorious company of believers and righteous people in the likeness of father Abraham.This took place when Jesus was buried in the grave before His resurrection. It was a spiritual experience beyond the reach of the Chief Priests, Pharisees and even the whole Sanhedrin and Roman Authorities who conspired against Him.Truly, Jesus had to deal with the root cause of sin that emanated from the devil against God’s creation and especially humanity hidden in various religions, festivals, traditions, cultures and systems of rules and regulations. We refer His distaste of the devil revealed in the strong words ofJOHN 8:44 - You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.The devil was described as a murderer who easily killed people with his ways since the beginning of time. He was and is still a liar because there is no truth in Him. He is described also as the father of all lies because there is no truth in his evil nature.Therefore, it was righteous and proper for Jesus to deal with the root cause of sin of the devil after physical demonstration of His death on the cross. As part of Jesus’ work in the underworld besides Golgotha, we readCOLOSSIANS 2:14 & 15 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.The Apostle Paul revealed also that the death of Jesus on the cross wiped away all our sins and included every law, rule and regulation as human institutions and systems that made us sinful to God in every habitation on earth. The cross became the victory of Christ and all believers over satan and his hierarchy of demons whose rules and regulations condemned us and prove us guilty of actions and inactions.Truly, the period between Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was filled with the works of God to prove His Son’s Messiahship. It was prophetic and scriptural even with the revelation of Him to the spirits of the underworld. The message reveals that Christ overcame the underworld of the dead necessitate His resurrection. It means therefore that if His works in the underworld were false, His resurrection would have been jeopardized and fulfilled the desires of the religious leaders and Roman Authorities.Do not be sad and afraid in grave like situations like Jesus’ disciples. Be spiritual to know the works of God behind the scenes for your complete salvation. Be led by the Holy Spirit at all times and not be subjected to the whims and caprices of people.SINCE THE UNDERWORLD IS ASSOCIATED WITH SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES AND THINGS, CHRIST’S WORK IN DEATH IS SOMETIMES DOUBTED BY UNBELIEVERS AND EVEN SOME CHRISTIANS WITH LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE AFTER DEATH. HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVABLE BY THE SCRIPTURES AND REVELATION AND UNDERSTANDING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. IT IS NOT JUST A MERE EVENT OR STORY BUT REVELATION FOR BELIEVERS FIRST WHO THEN THE REVELATIONS OF THE BIBLE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR INSIGHT.TRUTH IS TRUTH AND CANNOT BE COVERED WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BIBLE PROVES IT. YES JESUS DEALT WITH THE ROOT CAUSE OF SIN IN THE DOMAIN OF THE DEVIL IN THE UNDERWORLD. HE WAS AT PARADISE WITH THE CONVERTED THIEF AS PROMISED AND ALSO ENTERED INTO THE PRISON AREAS OF SHOEL TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO THE DISOBEDIENT SPIRITS KEPT THERE SINCE NOAH’S ERA.

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I CHARGE YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS TO BE PRAYERFUL AND DISCERNING TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD IS DOING FOR US IN CHRIST BEHIND THE SCENES. TRULY OUR PRAYERS AND OTHER RIGHTEOUS WORKS ARE PERFORMING WONDERS THAT COMES UP AS TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH AND ALL CHRISTIANS.KNOW THAT WHENEVER GOD SPEAKS AND SAYS THAT THE BATTLE IS OVER, IT MEANS THAT THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS AND THE UNDERWORLD AND OTHER REALMS HAVE BEEN SILENCED AND DEFEATED. YES CELEBRATE CHRIST’S VICTORY ALWAYS OVER THE DEVIL AND THE UNDERWORLD. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (1) 

 GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD 

All the gospel stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John emphasized on Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead as gift of eternal life to humanity especially believers. This message shows emphasis by the writer as led by the Holy Spirit. We read

MATTHEW 28:1 – 4 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

It was a day after the Sabbath and early in the morning. The hour of God’s favour and grace came and He raised Jesus from the dead to prove Him as the Messiah and the Christ who had accomplished the work of eternal salvation. When Mary Magdalene and one Mary came to the tomb, the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection had happened already.

Measures put in place by the Chief Priests and the Pharisees and the Roman Authorities demanded an equal response from God. He caused an earthquake to happen and sent His angel from heaven in His brightness and glory that was like lightning and clothing like snow.

The tight security presence, under the influence of the Chief Priests and the Pharisees (MATTHEW 27:62 - 66), was no match for God because His angel rolled away the large stone from the tomb and sat on it. Indeed, God proved His word that heaven rules over the affairs of men. The guards were so afraid at this divine experience that they became like dead men with no power. It was more than the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah that the mighty men of Babylon ceased fighting and remained in their strongholds because their might failed them, and became women in a fragile and weak state, and their strength and security reduced to nothing (JEREMIAH 51:30).Truly, when the time of the Lord’s favour comes, no devil or enemy’s strategy can work against you. The miracle of Easter is Christ’s death and resurrection. If your enemies think that they have put or buried you in the grave, be reminded of the miracle of Easter and be assured of your breakthrough and resurrection in the

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name of Jesus. If your enemies think that they have silenced you, then you are about to resurrect and have the confidence in Christ and boldness to confess Him as Saviour and Lord. That large stone blocking your blessings is nothing because God’s angel will roll it away and sit on it to prove divine authority over your enemies at all levels.Apostle Paul is emphatic of the truth that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, and therefore He shall give strength to our mortal bodies unto righteousness and performance of righteous works (ROMANS 8:11).

Truly, the prophecy of Jesus about His death and resurrection as the Son of God was fulfilled. We revisit His declaration in

JOHN 2:19 - 22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

The disciples remembered that He talked about His resurrection from the dead after His crucifixion and burial in the grave. He talked about His body as the temple of God to be pulled down and built in holiness. It meant that the resurrection of Jesus Christ now makes Him God’s holy temple where all seekers and worshipers of God are to believe and worship if we are to be accepted as children of God and Christians.

The truth is that Christ’s resurrection from the dead gives us hope about eternal life and fulfillment of spoken prophecies about your life, ministry, Church, family, job, countries and the nations, etc. It is the divine assurance that God shall disappoint all your enemies in His appointment of blessings because of your commitment and faithfulness to Him in Christ and leading of the Holy Spirit.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST WAS PROPHETIC AND IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD TO CAUSE US TO INHERIT ETERNAL SALVATION. IT WAS A DIVINE EXPERIENCE THAT OVERCAME HUMAN INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY PRESENCE OF THE ROMANS AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND PHARISEES.

THE MIGHTY ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED IN HIS GLORY AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE, AND ROLLED AWAY THE STONE OF HINDRANCE. IT WAS A BATTLE BETWEEN GOD AND THE DEVIL, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND EVIL, CHRIST AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS. THE SUPERIORITY OF GOD’S AUTHORITY SHOWS IN THE WAY THE MIGHTY ANGEL SAT ON THE LARGE STONE AFTER ROLLING IT AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE TOMB.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS OUR HOPE FOR ETERNAL LIFE AND TURNAROUND OF HOPELESS SITUATIONS INTO BLESSINGS AS MIRACLES. IT MEANS TO CONTINUE AND BELIEVE IN CHRIST’S RESURRECTION ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH. INDEED, TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST IS TO BELIEVE IN HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. 

=================================================================================== THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (2) 

WOMEN AS WITNESSES 

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MATTHEW 28:5 – 7 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were afraid because they did not know that Jesus had resurrected from the dead but His body had been stolen. In their anxiousness, the angel of the Lord spoke and told them not to be afraid about Jesus’ body.

The message was that Jesus was not in the grave but risen. To confirm his words, he showed them the place that Jesus was laid in the tomb and they saw only His burial clothing. The next message was that they were to run quickly and communicate to the disciples of His resurrection. The message continued that Christ was to meet them in Galilee and they would see Him face to face. This was a sure word of the Lord and they were to believe and communicate it as given to them.

Mourning turned into rejoicing and dancing for these bold women at the tomb of Jesus. The unexpected happened with them as the first witnesses to Christ's resurrection. Truly, God is no respecter of persons but whoever believes and performs righteousness experiences Him. Therefore the righteous act of these women to spice Jesus’ body made them become the first witnesses and also experienced the angelic encounter.

Such category of people receives the word of the Lord for the majority and even for their spiritual heads. They were not among Jesus’ twelve disciples who had remained eleven with the demise of Judas Iscariot, but their boldness in the threat and fear of combined force of the Roman Authorities and the Jewish religious leaders made them instruments of Christ. It means that boldness in the performance of righteous works brings God’s word and results in Christ. It means to be led by the Holy Spirit and not have zeal without knowledge.

It means to show that even in difficult and challenging situations with the persecution of the Church and Christians, the bold and the confident becomes the Lord’s vessels of honour to inform and bless the leadership and entire Church.

THE ACTION OF THE WOMEN WITNESSES SHOWS THAT GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. IN THE MIDST OF FEAR, ONLY THE BOLD AND THE CONFIDENT BECOME HIS INSTRUMENTS OF GLORY. IT SHOWS ALSO THAT BOLDNESS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF RIGHTEOUS WORKS REVEAL THE GLORY OF GOD IN CHRIST AND LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT SHOWS ALSO HOW GOD BROKE TRADITION ABOUT MALES ONLY BEING IN THE FOREFRONT OF AFFAIRS IN LIFE. HE PROVED THAT IN THE KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST, IT IS ABOUT OBEDIENCE, BOLDNESS AND CONFIDENCE BEYOND SEX, CLASS, ACHIEVEMENTS, TRADITION, CULTURE, ETC WHETHER MALES OR FEMALES OR BOTH. IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL AND DISCERNING BY THE BIBLE AND HOLY SPIRIT. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (3) 

A//   QUICK RESPONSE OF THE WOMEN WITNESSES 

MATTHEW 28:8 – So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

In belief and obedience to the angelic revelation and instruction, the women witnesses went away from Jesus’ tomb with mixed feelings. They were gripped with fear by the angelic encounter and the Roman Authorities and the Jewish religious leaders but also filled with great joy of the news of Jesus' resurrection and confirmation of the empty tomb.

It means to obey the word of God spoken by His servants through revelation, prophecy, vision, dreams, angels, etc. It means to discern and know the urgency of God’s word in Christ at any given situation.

THE QUICK RESPONSE OF THE WOMEN WITNESSES AND AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS WAS THE OBEDIENCE THAT JESUS NEEDED TO SEE IN THEM AND ALL HIS DISCIPLES TO PROCLAIM HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. IT MEANS TO BELIEVE EVERY WORD OF CHRIST THROUGH HIS SERVANTS AS THE WORD OF GOD.

B//   FACE TO FACE WITH RESURRECTED JESUS 

MATTHEW 28:9 & 10 – And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

To increase their faith and prevent any spirit of doubt from entering and manipulating them, Jesus appeared to them and they fell down at His feet and worshiped Him. Jesus removed fear from them and what remained were only belief, faith and great joy. It was also a confirmation of the word of the angel at the tomb that Jesus would meet all the brethren in Galilee face to face. It shows also that obedience leads to revelation and more revelation.

Scripture had to be fulfilled with more witnesses about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and attainment of eternal life for all believers. It was necessary for Jesus to show Himself to the disciples with the mission and mandate (PSALMS 68:11) to preach forgiveness of sins in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead as gift of eternal life.

TO MEET JESUS FACE TO FACE IS THE GREATEST PRIVELEGE FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER. WHEN THE WOMEN WITNESSES MET JESUS, IT WAS ABOUT GREAT JOY, REVELATION, CONFIRMATION OF PROPHECY, AND INFORMATION TO THE OTHER DISCIPLES.

IT IS ABOUT DOING THE LORD’S WILL FOR A BLESSING THAT REVEALS AND CONFIRMS HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. IT IS ABOUT TELLING THE FEARFUL HEARTED NOT TO FEAR ANY LONGER BECAUSE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND HE LIVES FOREVERMORE. MEETING JESUS CHANGES YOUR HEART AND MIND TO BELIEVE IN HIM MORE AND MORE.

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TRULY, THE EASTER SEASON IS MEMORABLE WITH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AND APPEARANCES TO HIS DISCIPLES SUCH AS THE WOMEN WITNESSES. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (4) 

 ATTEMPT TO DENY JESUS’ RESURRECTION 

MATTHEW 28:11 - 15 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The battle continued unabated even with Jesus’ resurrection of from the dead because the devil is a fighter and enemy of all righteousness. Truly, the Roman soldiers who witnessed Christ’s resurrection hurriedly went and communicated to the Chief Priests about the supernatural experience. This was mind boggling for the religious leaders because the prophecy and declaration of Jesus had been fulfilled. The words of the guards at Jesus’ tomb were the testimony to put fear in them.

This was not good news at all to the Chief Priests and therefore they called a meeting of the Elders and discussed Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb. It was clear that the description of the guards proved a supernatural event but their hearts were still hardened and they fought hard to defend their position that accused Jesus falsely and led to His crucifixion on the cross.

The only way to protect their image was the collective decision to bribe the Roman soldiers with a large sum of money. They decided to protect the Roman soldiers from the anger and execution of the governor, Pilate, for failure to prevent Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The instruction was that they were to spread the false information that Jesus’ disciples came by night when everybody was asleep and took away His body from the grave.

It revealed how corrupt the religious leaders became in their hearts, minds, decisions and works against acts of righteousness even by the law. At least, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead should have changed their minds and made them believe that He is the Son of God. But they manifested evil intentions and works to make them unfit to make righteous judgments for the people. It confirmed Jesus’ condemnation of them and decision to transfer power to His disciples who constitute the Church.

It means to say that when heavenly decisions as prophecies are being fulfilled, the actors on earth have to be influenced by the Spirit of God or the devil. For the disciples of Jesus Christ such as the women witnesses of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, it was great joy having seen the empty tomb and heard the word of the angel of God, and even experienced greater joy when Jesus revealed Himself to them and confirmed the word of the angel to meet the brethren in Galilee.

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For the Jewish religious leaders, they were under the influence of the devil to destroy the testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Their words to the Roman soldiers were strictly followed and they went round saying that Jesus' resurrection was false because His disciples stole His body at night. The influence and impact of their lies and deception has been believed to be the truth throughout the generations by unbelievers and sinful people in their self and religions. No wonder there are false stories and doctrines against Jesus’ resurrection even though the bible is transparent, revealing and truthful about it.

Therefore, Apostle Paul revealed to the Corinthians that Christ is our Passover who was sacrificed for us. Believers as Christians are to celebrate the Passover with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth and not the leavened bread of malice and wickedness (1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 & 8). We are not to be like the kind of the Chief Priests and the Roman soldiers but the kind of the women witnesses and all believers of Jesus' resurrection from the dead as gift of eternal life.

THE TESTIMONY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD IS STRONGER AND MORE POWERFUL THAN THE BRIBERY, LIES AND DECEPTION OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS, ELDERS AND ROMAN SOLDIERS.

THE ATTEMPT BY THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND THE ROMAN SOLDIERS TO DESTROY THE TESTIMONY ACHIEVED A MINIMUM LEVEL OF SUCCESS UNLIKE THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF SUCCESS THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS AND COUNTRIES AND NATIONS OF BELIEVERS AS CHRISTIANS. THE BELIEF OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEYOND HUMAN AND THE DEVIL’S REALM AND PLANS. THE REVELATION OF JESUS AS THE CHRIST IS THE AUTHORITY AND DETERMINATION OF JESUS CHRIST TO BUILD HIS CHURCH WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS.

IT REVEALED THAT EVEN RELIGIOUS AND RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE WHO COME UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL CAN LIE, DECEIVE AND DISTORT GOSPEL TRUTHS IN CONTRAST TO THE REVELATION AND LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THIS EXPLAINS WHY OUR PRAYERS SHOULD ALSO BE DIRECTED AGAINST THE KIND OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS (RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND PEOPLE). ITS RIGHTEOUS PURPOSE IS TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL AND MAKE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST SPREAD AND BELIEVED BY ALL PEOPLES IN EVERY COUNTRY OF THE WORLD. KNOW THAT THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS BELIEVABLE FOR ETERNAL LIFE. CONTINUE BELIEVING BUDDY. 

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THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (5) 

You can't destroy the testimony of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead to live forevermore. Truly, what God has put together, let no - one put asunder. It means to believe what the bible has written

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about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead to give us the gift of eternal life which is always confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

A//   BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES; CHRIST RESURRECTED 

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1 - 4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

The position and authority of Apostle Paul to proclaim the truth about the resurrection of Jesus Christ was based on the scriptures which we now commonly call the bible. He might not have witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross and resurrection from the dead but he learnt from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ and the Messiah as evident early in his ministry in the city of Damascus (ACTS 9:22).

Therefore his word to the Corinthians was that it was his ministry that made them believers in Jesus Christ not under compulsion but hearing and believing in a willing manner. It was a message that he believed first before preaching to them unto their belief and salvation. It was based on the simple truth that Jesus the Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, buried and rose up from the dead according to the scriptures.

His message was that the authority of the scriptures cannot be broken or lie because Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law (MATTHEW 5:17). This explained why soon after his conversion, he began to prove from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

It means to say that reading and knowledge of the scriptures to have revelation about Jesus Christ, and gift of eternal life through resurrection from the dead is God’s perfect will for us. Even as believers, the Holy Spirit continues to reveal Christ and gospel truths to increase our faith and confidence in the midst of false doctrines and teachings from the realm of the devil and his spirit of the Antichrist.

If another gospel is preached different from the bible, then it is no gospel at all. Be prayerful, discerning and focused in your Christian faith because the Holy Spirit confirms always the identity and mission and vision of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GOD MADE SURE THAT THE TESTIMONY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST WAS WRITTEN FOR THE READING, UNDERSTANDING, PREACHING, TEACHING AND REVELATION TO ALL PEOPLES IN ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. YES WE BELIEVE ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES AS THE WORD OF GOD AND NOT ACCORDING TO OTHER BOOKS AND WRITINGS, AND WATCHING DRAMA AND FILMS OF THE OCCULT AND THE DEVIL.

ONLY THE BIBLE IN ITS STATE PROVES THE FULFILLMENT OF THE MESSIANIC PROPHECY THAT CULMINATED IN THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AS FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. THEREFORE, BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES FOR YOURSELF; PREACH AND REVEAL CHRIST THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT IS VERIFIABLE. IF

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THIS SAVED THE CORINTHIANS AND THE CHURCH, THEN IT WILL SAVE ALL PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH IRRESPECTIVE OF COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY LOCATION.

B//   BELIEVE GOD’S COMMENDATION AND RECOMMENDATION I commend and recommend the bible events to every Christian and the Church to increase faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the word of God who became flesh and dwelt among humanity, and His works was witnessed, and glory revealed as the Son of God (JOHN 1:14). Do not read occult books and satanic books and be confused about Jesus' resurrection. Learn to read, stay and be satisfied in the bible.

Two notable experiences and examples that confirmed Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah are His baptism and transfiguration experiences. We read

MATTHEW 3:13 - 17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the river Jordan as the fulfillment of all righteousness. God saw in Jesus early that He was ready to obey scripture and therefore Him in His ministry on earth. God spoke concerning Him when He came out of the water. The heavens opened unto Him and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and landed on His head. Then God spoke from heaven saying that Jesus is His beloved Son whom He is well pleased.

This was God’s commendation about His Son Jesus early in ministry to showcase Him to the world. It was a message that Jesus’ obedience was going to fulfill the Messianic prophecy and give Him honour and glory. Truly, the quest for righteousness by Jesus was a sign to God of the bright future to bring to pass His divine plan of eternal salvation.

THE TESTIMONY OF GOD IS GREATER THAN THE TESTIMONIES OF MAN AND THE DEVIL. THE TESTIMONY OF THE BIBLE IS GREATER AND MORE POWERFUL THAN THE TESTIMONY OF THE RELIGIOUS BOOKS OF THE OCCULT AND SATAN’S WORLD.

IT MEANS TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE TO INCREASE YOUR FAITH IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AS GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. IT MEANS TO BE PART OF BIBLE STUDIES TO HAVE INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR SALVATION IN CHRIST BESIDES FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS.

We read God’s commendation and recommendation of Jesus to the disciples and therefore to all believers as Christians, Church and the world in

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MATTHEW 17:1 – 5 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

In this transfiguration story, the glory of God came upon Jesus to signify the Messianic prophecy of the Law and the Prophets through the appearances of Moses and Elijah. Again, God testified and confirmed the ministry of Jesus as righteous and according to His perfect plan. In God’s commendation, Jesus was His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. Beyond the experience, the voice of God sounded that all peoples, nations, tongue and tribe were to hear Him.

It was a revelation that the words of Jesus were heavenly, eternal and Holy Spirit inspired to change the hearts and minds of the Jews and Samaritans. All the people were to give Jesus attention and time to hear His everlasting words to make them believe Him for eternal life even among the Gentiles.

This commendation and recommendation was first to the disciples because they believed in Him, to the Church because we have believed in Him and finally to all people because hearing and believing in Jesus' words offer hope of eternal life and life of righteousness to God by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.

It means to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as gift of eternal life. It means to believe in all the words of Jesus Christ in the gospel stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It means to have confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ and be instruments for His mission and vision to reveal Him to the world of sin and evil and even suffer for Him. Hallelujah! It means to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in living good Christian lives and performance of righteous works in the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The higher commendation and recommendation of God in ministry is to assure both the servants and hearers to have greater confidence in Jesus Christ and message on eternal salvation. It means to build our lives and ministries around Him to honour and glorified God all the time. It means to destroy all other works and doctrines and lies and deceit of the devil against the testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As Christians and the Church, we must continue in our faith in Jesus Christ because the foundation of our Christian faith is in His resurrection from the dead to live forevermore (1 CORINTHIANS 3:11). Hallelujah!

GOD MADE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AGAIN THAT HE WAS VERY PLEASED AND SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS OF JESUS IN HIS MINISTRY. EVERYTHING ABOUT JESUS HAD BEEN OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER.

IN THIS TRUTH, GOD ADDED THAT ALL PEOPLES OF EVERY NATION, TRIBE AND TONGUE SHOULD HEAR AND OBEY THE ETERNAL WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST. IT MEANS THEREFORE THAT HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD AS GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE IS THE ONLY WAY TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE. IF YOU BELIEVE, THEN YOU ARE WITHOUT SIN AND BLAMELESS AMD JUSTIFIED AS A CHILD OF GOD.

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THE MESSAGE IS THAT GOD HAS CONFIRMED AND CERTIFIED THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST WHOSE DEATH ON THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE AND LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE HOLY SPIRT. IF WE IGNORE JESUS CHRIST AND HIS ETERNAL WORDS AS THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION, WE ARE LIKE A LOST SHIP ON THE HIGH SEAS. IF WE BELIEVE AND OBEY JESUS CHRIST AND HIS ETERNAL WORDS AS THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH AND SALVATION, THEN WE HAVE OBEYED GOD’S CONFIRMATION AND CERTIFICATION OF HIM. IT MEANS THAT THE WORDS OF JESUS ARE THE VERY WORDS OF GOD THE FATHER.

C//   THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS AND CONFIRMS JESUS CHRIST 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3 – Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

This is the truth: The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus as the Christ to all believers as Christians and the Church, and also provides evidences of Him to unbelievers. It means to have a deeper understanding of our Christian faith, live and confess Him for a healthy relationship, spiritual growth and maturity. Without the Holy Spirit, we will just play religion and not seek God’s order of reconciliation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Apostle Paul's message and declaration to the Corinthians shows that no-one can ever curse the Lord Jesus Christ as evil and false, and say not to be the Son of God and Messiah by the Spirit of God like the Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders; that is in the likeness and nature of God. It means to say that God cannot lie and deny Himself because His word and works are true also with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Again, no - one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. It means to say that Jesus is above all with regards to death on the cross to forgive all our sins and resurrection from the dead as gift of eternal life. He is the Messiah and the Christ who fulfilled sayings and writings of the Prophets in the scriptures. He died and resurrected from the dead as promised. Truly, Jesus was not the first person to die on the cross but He was the first person to die on the cross and rise up from the dead and give us eternal life (Pastor Mensa Otabil, ICGC).

THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS AND CONFIRMS JESUS AS THE CHRIST, AND THE SON OF GOD WHO DIED ON THE CROSS TO FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS, AND RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD TO JUSTIFY OUR ETERNAL LIFE IN BELIEF. THIS IS THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AS CHILDREN OF GOD.

ONLY BELIEVERS AS CHRISTIANS HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEM TO DECLARE THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH AND PROCLAIM IT IN THE CHURCH AND TO OTHER PEOPLE. UNBELIEVERS AND SINNERS DO NOT HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS OF GOD IN CHRIST AND HAVE SELF AND PUBLIC CONFESSION OF HIM. THEY DENY CHRIST'S RESURRECTION,; NOT CHRISTIANS. THEREFORE, NO ONE CAN SAY THAT JESUS IS LORD EXCEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT MEANS TO LIVE THE LIFE OF CHRIST AND NOT THE LIFE OF THE WORLD OR THE DEVIL IN SELF - RIGHTEOUSNESS. BE WISE BUDDY TO DISCERN AND KNOW WHO HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT OR NOT

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AND THE SPIRIT BEHIND THE THOUGHTS, WORDS AND ACTIONS AND INACTIONS OF PEOPLE. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (6) 

Jesus at this period after resurrection prepared the disciples and therefore the Church to assume full authority and continue in His righteous works on earth. They were yet to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and their obedience was to lead them to greater revelations.

A//   OBEDIENCE AND REVELATION 

MATTHEW 28:16 & 17 - Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

The book of Matthew writes about the urgent command of Jesus to meet His closest disciples on the mountain after resurrection from the dead. It was an appointment of divinity with humanity. The unfriendly and hostile environment did not permit any meeting in the city of Jerusalem, because of the continuous agenda of the Chief Priests and Elders with the Roman Authorities, especially the bribed soldiers and even Pilate who treaded cautiously (MATTHEW 28:11 - 15).

The euphoria was big about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead but the fear of persecution gripped the disciples and they hid themselves. Their quick response in going to the mountain place as directed by Jesus meant that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary delivered Jesus’ instruction in a timely manner. Their obedience, however, was a clear sign that they would obey and follow His instructions in life and ministry.

True to the words of Jesus Christ, He appeared before the disciples on the mountain and they saw the marks of crucifixion in His hands and legs. However, some believed and worshipped Him but others doubted because this was the first of its kind to be crucified and die on the cross, buried in a tomb and resurrect from the dead on the third day according to prophecy and declarations.

The message reveals that obedience leads to revelation and commission because of trust and confidence in the ability to deliver. Since Jesus was going back to the Father, He had to test their level of obedience after resurrection and encourage them with His appearance because of their fears and discouragements. It shows also that God speaks to direct us even in crises situations because the work has to be done and completed. Hallelujah!

OBEDIENCE TO DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS LEADS TO REVELATION, COMMISSION, TRUST AND CONFIDENCE. GOD DEMANDS LOYALTY BEFORE GIVING HIS WORD OF BLESSING. THE DISCIPLES KNEW THAT IF JESUS HAD RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD, THEN HIS WORDS AND PROMISES TO THEM SHOULD BE BELIEVABLE AND A BLESSING AS IT WAS BEFORE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION.

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IT SHOWS THAT CHRISTIANS WHO ARE SPIRITUAL AMD DISCERNING BELIEVE AND ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS IN WORSHIP THROUGH SUCH DIVINE ENCOUNTERS UNLIKE DOUBTFUL CHRISTIANS INFLUENCED BY WORLDLY ACTIVITIES.

B//   AUTHORITY TRANSFER TO ACHIEVE HEAVENLY MISSION 

MATTHEW 28:18 - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

One of the eternal words of Jesus Christ after resurrection was the revelation that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. He proved Himself to God and to humanity through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

Jesus proved authority in His earthly ministry through teachings of the principles of God’s kingdom, healings of sicknesses and diseases, performances of miracles, signs and wonders. This was limited in Israel and Samaria because of territory covered in order to fulfill the Messianic prophecy. However, with His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, all authority in heaven and on earth was given to Him by God the Father to reconcile humanity to God in His name and gospel of eternal salvation.

It meant that He is now the King of kings and the Lord of lords with authority over all including the devil and his demons, kings, queens, princes, princesses, government, human power and positions, families, systems, etc.It meant that He had the authority to make the will of God happen in every part of the earth (MATTHEW 6:10). It meant that He had the authority to change the hearts and minds of people with the gospel (JOHN 4:39 - 42). It meant that Jesus has the authority to call and anoint people from all nations and countries as His ministers for service in His Vineyard (MATTHEW 10:1 - 4). It meant that He had the authority to make the Holy Spirit come and baptized them in power for service (JOHN 20:22, ACTS 1:8).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead proved again that God is Omnipotent and has the power to do all things to fulfill His righteous cause in the affairs of humanity. The prophecy of the Psalmist was fulfilled as we read

PSALM 62:11 - God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.

God has spoken once about His infinite power to do all things. He believes it and performs His word. This is the truth and final and unquestionable for all believers as Christians. The message reveals also that the confirmation of God about His power to us is to make our belief unquestionable. It means that it is sure and will not disappoint you in that righteous cause. Yes when you hear the voice and word of God for a second time, it is to make you believe the surety of His word and execute His righteous cause. It is also meant to stop us from believing in other gods and idols that deceive and blind us in life. It is to make us trusts in God and His power of provisions and salvation all the time.

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The way the angel of God rolled away the stone from the tomb of Jesus and sat on it, and resulted in His resurrection proved the power of God that beat human and demonic intelligence and security measures. Since no power whatsoever was able to stop Jesus’ resurrection to fulfill prophecy and scripture, it meant that He was unstoppable even in the midst of opposition and adversity.

It is a reminder of Jesus’ words to Peter (symbolic of the Church), with his revelation and confession of Jesus as the Christ. We read

MATTHEW 16:16 - 19 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The message was that He would build His Church on Peter’s revelation and the gates of hell shall not prevail and succeed against Him. For this to be a reality, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, which is heavenly authority, would be given to all believers as Christians and the Church to establish the authority of Jesus Christ on earth in the lives, ministries and Church of believers and Christians.

It would be like the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth in preaching, teaching, healings, performances of miracles, signs and wonders in love towards people of all nations and countries. The unity and authority of the Church would have the approval and support of God because it would be based on the authority of Him, Jesus Christ.

This explained why Jesus added that God would back the righteous decisions of the Church because it would be led by the Holy Spirit. It would serve the purposes of God on earth. What we bind on earth to break its influence and power would be respected by God in heaven, and what we lose on earth would be losed in heaven by God. It means that through Jesus, the Holy Spirit would lead the Church to make righteous decisions and not abuse her authority because of being chosen and favoured by God. This explains why the prayers and faith words and decisions of the Church in righteous are powerful, effective and achieve eternal results.

This was the prophecy of Jesus to the disciples that saw glimpses of heavenly authority during their evangelistic assignments and even testified that evil spirits were subject to them.

With all authority in heaven and on earth given to Jesus after His resurrection from the dead, it meant that the believers as Christians had the authority to open and shut doors in the name of Jesus. There was no more restrictions in heavenly authority because Jesus Christ had conquered sin, death, grave and the devil. It meant that all the angels of heaven were at the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN UNTO ME. THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE DISCIPLES, AFTER RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, WAS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF VICTORY OVER SIN, DEATH, GRAVE AND THE DEVIL. IT AFFIRMED THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST AS THE CONQUERED MESSIAH ABOVE ALL POWERS, THRONES, AND DOMINIONS.

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IT MEANT THAT JESUS IS THE CHOSEN ONE TO RECONCILE HUMANITY BACK TO GOD AND DESTROY ALL CURSES, SIN, EVIL AND WICKEDNESS AGAINST PEOPLE. IT MEANT TO TAKE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN ALL MATTERS OF LIFE AND ETERNAL LIFE AND NOT BY THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND SANHEDRIN WHO REJECTED, ACCUSED, BRIBED AND FABRICATED BAD AND EVIL STORIES EVEN ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

IT DEFINED THE DIRECTION AND FUTURE OF THE CHURCH WITH HER FOUNDATION ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND NOT SUBJECT TO THE WHIMS AND CAPRICES OF THE DEVIL AND ENEMIES OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. IF YOU REJECT JESUS CHRIST, YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME AND WORDS TO COMMAND OBEDIENCE UNTO REVELATION. BETTER TO BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AND PROVE HIS AUTHORITY BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BE WISE BUDDY.     

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION (7) 

 THE GREAT COMMISSION; BE A PLAYER AND NOT A SPECTATOR

MATTHEW 28:19 & 20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Great Commission given to the disciples and symbolic of the Church based on Peter’s revelation of Jesus earlier, was on the basis of all authority in heaven and on earth given to Him. It was a divine charge to the disciples to go into the world and preach Christ and the gospel of salvation. They were to tell all people that Jesus Christ is God’s accredited Saviour in whom there is forgiveness of sins and attainment in eternal life.

They were to preach against the life of righteousness by the law with its rules and regulations for the Jews. They were also to preach against the life of self - righteousness with customs, traditions, cultures and worship of idols for the heathen. In all of them, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ revealed the love of God to bring all believers into His kingdom as His children. The Great Commission is also about Christ’s righteousness beyond any other form of righteousness.

The work of the trinity was also revealed to fulfill scripture and the words of the Prophets about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, he/she is to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit to let them know the various workings of each of them. It is to show, prove and confirm that it is the same Spirit at work and not different spirits for different purposes.

Besides, the disciples were charged to teach people about all that Jesus had taught them in ministry from the beginning to the end. It meant that they were to ensure that good Christian teachings and doctrines were

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given to believers as Christians to establish them in the Christian faith. The use of the word “commanded” means the need for only truths and revelations specified by Jesus and not lies and falsehood contrary to His teachings. It meant to close the door against all forms of strange and evil doctrines of the heathens and even going back to the law of self - righteousness practiced by the Jewish unbelievers.

The promise of Jesus Christ being with all the disciples was also given to assure them of divine presence, provisions, protection and preservation. All these commands and promises to the disciples were to the Church and this was made possible because of the victory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It means that every generation would have believers as Christians to preach and reveal Christ until the end of the world.

Truly, the Easter season is a reminder of the Great Commission to the Church received on behalf by the disciples to preach Jesus Christ to all nations. The mandate and authority of the Church is to preach Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit without compromise and negotiation. We have all the heavenly and earthly authority to declare God’s counsel in Christ to experience righteous results in everlasting works.

The command of Jesus Christ is urgent because the time is short with His return, and is short with our lives on earth. We are therefore to learn from God’s word in

PSALM 68:11 - The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:

When God speaks His word for obedience and implementation, all like – minded people of His nature become doers. It is a testimony of the willingness and obedience of the people of God. This scripture is still powerful in the Church with regard to the response and fulfillment of the Great Commission. All missionaries and Church workers and Evangelists are believers and practitioners of the mission and vision of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Apostle Paul’s message is that the kingdom of God is not in word without action but power with action, works and results (1 CORINTHIANS 4:20). It is about revealing the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God. It involves all the Christian principles of prayer, fasting, fellowship, breaking of bread, unity, love, helps and supports, and sacrificial living to bless the lives of people. Yes it is about righteous results and not just any result.

We agree with the words of Jesus that the kingdom of God does not come with observation but is within us (LUKE 17:20 & 21). It means to use the power of God in Christ and working of the Holy Spirit to work and produce righteous results and not to just waste our time when the kingdom of God would come or think it is somewhere else. It is about participation and not an observer with no responsibility and commitment.

It is Christians who obey the command of the Lord Jesus Christ that experience His heavenly and earthly authority to change people and situations. It means to disciple believers and take care of them in this challenging world to be strong and mighty people of God who understand His ways in Christ and workings of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul obeyed the command of the Lord Jesus Christ to disciple the believers after preaching and converting them.

We read

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ACTS 14:20 - 23 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

In Lystra, he suffered stoning in the hands of unbelievers who presumed him dead. In the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ and power of the Holy Spirit, he relocated to Derbe with Barnabas and strengthened the brethren. How could Apostle encourage himself in the Lord and still continue to preach and reveal Christ to other people as if nothing happened to him?

In this love and passion to know the state of the brethren, Apostle Paul and Barnabas returned to the three cities of Lystra, Iconium and Antioch to strengthen and encourage them to continue in their Christian faith. They were reminded that sufferings are part of the Christian package to experience and to enter the kingdom of God; inevitable.

As part of their missionary journeys, their policy was to appoint elders for the Churches with prayers and fasting, and committed them to the Lord Jesus Christ. It revealed Apostle Paul's fatherly love and concern for the Churches and brethren from his ministry. The success of his missionary policy for the three cities eventually became the general policy to know the state of all other Churches and believers in Asia Minor.

We read

ACTS 15:36 - Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”

The visitation policy of Apostle Paul became the general and widespread approach with all the Churches after the successful implementation of the same policy in those three cities. It means to be concerned and attend to their needs for their spiritual growth and maturity like the fatherly role of Apostle Paul to the believers.

Apostle Paul had been successful in changing people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had preached in Damascus, Jerusalem, Cyprus, Salamis, Pamphos, Antioch, Perga, Pamphylia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Attalia. There was the need to revisit and encourage the believers to survive the persecutions of the times and be committed and faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.

YOU ARE NOT TO BECOME A SPECTATOR BUT A PARTICIPANT IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. OBEDIENCE LEADS TO REVELATION AND CHRISTIANS WHO OBEY THE GREAT COMMISSION EXPERIENCE GREATER REVELATIONS OF JESUS CHRIST AND WORKINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH TO PREACH AND REVEAL CHRIST TO THE WORLD EMANATES FROM THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST AND MANIFESTS IN OBEDIENCE AND NOT NON OBEDIENCE.

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IT MEANS TO SAY THAT THE CHURCH IS ON THE WINNING SIDE BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST WON THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD FOR US. WE REIGN WITH JESUS CHRIST AND OUR OBEDIENCE COMMANDS THE BLESSING. YES CHANGE THE WORLD BUDDY.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO PREACH AND REVEAL THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO PEOPLE AND LEAVE THEM ABANDONED. WE HAVE TO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO DISCIPLE THEM WITH THE TEACHINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND ATTEND TO THEIR NEEDS FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MATURITY. ALL CHURCHES NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY OF APOSTLE PAUL TO REVISIT FEW CHRISTIANS BORNE OF CHRIST THROUGH SPECIFIC MINISTRIES AND THEN EXTEND IT TO COVER OTHER CHRISTIANS; BIGGER SCALE.

IT MEANS TO PRAY FOR THEM, VISIT AND REVISIT THEM TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO REMAIN COMMITTED AND FAITHFUL IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES AND ADVERSITIES. IT MEANS TO SHOW THEM LOVE LIKE THE WAY JESUS SHOWED LOVE AND CARE FOR THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MATURITY OF THE DISCIPLES. BE WISE BUDDY TO OBEY THE COMMANDMENT OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BEFORE HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN AND SAT AT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE FATHER. AMEN! 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (8) 

 GIVE INSTRUCTIONS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 

ACTS 1:1 & 2 - The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 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

Luke was the author of the book of Acts, a companion of Paul the Apostle, who was also the author of the book of Luke. These two books were written to his friend Theophilus whose name has the meaning: lover of God.

It reveals Jesus’ divine instructions to the disciples to remain in Jerusalem and be baptized by the Holy Spirit. All authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him but the birth of the Church was to be preceded with the baptism of the Holy Spirit in His name. The role of the Holy Spirit is shown to play a key role in Jesus' instructions to the disciples just as it was before His death and burial.

The message shows that the meetings of Jesus with His disciples were still in connection with His mission and vision to save the world of sin, condemnation and bondage. It revealed His passion for His disciples to continue and be the light of the world as He is and proved Himself in ministry, death and resurrection.

It was victory, celebration time and joy for the disciples who earlier were sad, discouraged and fearful. However, meetings with Jesus was not for revenge and personal ambitions, but edification, and Holy Spirit led

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instructions to build and bless His Church and consolidate the benefits of His death and resurrection to humanity especially the believers.

This was what happened between Jesus Christ and the disciples after His resurrection. He delivered to them the mind of God as leaders do with their followers. He entrusted unto them true riches that is everlasting because they believed in Him. This explained why the religious leaders did not have the opportunity to see Jesus in His resurrection because all their thoughts, words and works condemned Him before the people to justify their unbelief and claim to the Old Covenant of the Law for righteousness. It meant that the divine mission and agenda had to be continued to make complete Christ’s work achieve its intended purpose.

It means to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and give instructions by the Holy Spirit as Christians to encourage and edify the Church. It means to promote Christ’s mission and vision with Holy Spirit inspired words and revelation and not by any other spirit of the devil and his demons, religion, culture, traditions, systems and institutions.

It means to be prayerful and seek the counsel of God in the name of Jesus to promote the making of righteous decisions all the time in the lives and ministries of Christians and the Church. We are to remember the high price of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and Head of the Church above all gods and personalities whether spiritual or human. Therefore, the words of Jesus are a reminder to the Church as we read

JOHN 14:25 & 26 - These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

It is true that Jesus was mindful of His ministry and completed it in a period of three and a half years. If His ministry had delayed, He would have had more time to speak to the disciples and revealed the nature of God’s kingdom to them in greater dimensions. These were His words to the disciples when He realized that the time was short to go to the cross and die and resurrect from the dead, and go to the Father in heaven.

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a Helper to come by the will of the Father in His name. He will teach us all things that pertain to righteousness and remind the Church of all things spoken by Him. The disciples believed in Jesus and symbolized the Church. It means to say that all Christians and the Church are to be directed by the Holy Spirit at all times without taking things for granted. He is the Spirit of God who knows all things and is therefore a repository of knowledge of all the thoughts, words and works of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It means to say that the Church and all Christians are to depend on the Holy Spirit for the two main purposes of teaching and remembrance about the words and works of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we depend on another spirit, we would deviate from the truth and foundation in Christ and be associated with worldly and satan's beliefs and practices.

Again, Jesus realized that the divine messages and spiritual growth and maturity of the disciples were unmatched and unequal. The word of God was in its perfect state but the disciples were growing gradually

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and there was no need to force everything they needed to know on them just because His time of departure to the Father was at hand. We read

JOHN 16:12 - 14 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

The promise of Jesus was that the Holy Spirit, known as the Spirit of truth, will guide them (symbolic of the Church) into all truths after His departure to heaven. It means that the Church and all Christians and leaders must be led by the Holy Spirit to understand and believe His gospel even with references and connections to the Old Testament scriptures. The Holy Spirit will prove and confirm Jesus Christ as God’s accredited Saviour of the world that culminated in His death and resurrection.

Besides, the Holy Spirit will speak only on the authority of Jesus Christ and will be on the basis of what He hears even towards and about the future. It means to say that Jesus Christ will be in the centre of all Holy Spirit inspired messages. It means also that no Holy Spirit inspired messages has the purpose to make you backslide and enter into the period apostasy with denial and rejection of your Christian faith (1 CORINTHIANS 12:3).

Therefore, this is a caution to all Christians and the Church about hearing and obeying voices and spirits that are contrary to our righteousness and eternal salvation in Christ alone. It means to be prayerful and knowledgeable in God’s word to be discerning in life, ministry and the Church.

Jesus told the disciples that the nature of the Holy Spirit would be evident in glorifying Him as the Messiah and the Christ, who died for the sins of the world on the cross and resurrected from the dead to justify our belief as Children of God. All His messages would be in Christ’s salvation to direct, counsel and lead us into all truths and revelations, prophecies, dreams and visions, Church growth, spiritual growth and maturity, and service in His Vineyard. This makes us understand why Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will take from Him and speak it to the Church.

It means that anytime the word of the Pastors, Christian leaders and Christians do not honour and glorify Jesus Christ as the word of God, then it is not inspired and revealed by the Holy Spirit. This message awakens the Church to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit and receive divine instructions and leading to grow Christ’s Church spiritually and numerically.

If Jesus gave instructions to the disciples by the Holy Spirit for kingdom purpose, then the success and prosperity of the Church and all Christians and ministries are dependent on Holy Spirit instructions. If the Holy Spirit is behind our thoughts, words and works, then we are using Christ’s authority to change people and situations.

THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE: CHRISTIANS, MINISTRIES AND CHURCH CAN BE RIGHTEOUS, VERY EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCE RIGHTEOUS WORKS AND RESULTS IF WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRT. IT MEANS TO HEAR THE VOICE AND INSTRUCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO

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HONOURS AND GLORIFY JESUS CHRIST IN ALL MESSAGES AND WORKS. BE WISE BUDDY BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (9) 

A//   JESUS CHRIST REVEALED HIMSELF TO DISCIPLES AFTER HIS RESURRECTION 

Infallible proofs are happenings that are real to be overlooked and facilitate belief of a person in a given situation. In truth about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there were occasions that He revealed Himself alive to the disciples within a period of forty days before His ascension to heaven. We read

ACTS 1:3 - 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.

This is the testimony of Luke to Theophilus about Jesus’ appearances to His disciples on occasions as the Sovereign Lord. The message reveals that after the sufferings of Jesus on the cross, death and burial, the confidence of His disciples hit a record low with them in fear of their lives. Like the word of the Prophet Jeremiah, mighty men became women (JEREMIAH 51:30). Even the closest disciples of Jesus Christ hid themselves from the Jewish religious leaders and Roman Authorities.

WHEN THE MIGHTY MEN AND WOMEN OF JESUS’ DISCIPLES HID AND COVERED THEMSELVES, IT WAS A RESULT OF THE SEVERITY OF HIS SUFFERINGS PRIOR AND ON THE CROSS, HIS DEATH AND BURIAL. ALSO AT HIS BETRAYAL AND ARREST, THE DISCIPLES ABANDONED HIM IN FULFILLMENT OF JESUS’ CAUTION TO THEM ABOUT THE NEED TO PRAY AND NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION.

Jesus Christ took the initiative to restore confidence levels through His appearances to the disciples beginning from Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to the eleven disciples and other disciples. All these encounters with Jesus Christ revealed His humanity with indelible marks of suffering such as nail pieced hands and feet, and side, and crown of thorns on His head. This identification was necessary to prove to the disciples that He is the Master and Lord and Teacher who was crucified, buried and resurrected from the dead as He foretold them.

IT IS THE LEADER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RESTORE BROKEN CONFIDENCE WITH HIS FOLLOWERS AS JESUS DID TO HIS DISCIPLES.

Besides, Jesus’ appearances to the disciples were to stop the manipulations and influences of the bribery and deception of the Chief Priests and the Roman soldiers (MATTHEW 28:11 - 15). He had to defend His resurrection from the dead in the midst of a human attempt influenced by the devil to deny it.

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YOUR TESTIMONY CANNOT BE HIDDEN OR COVERED IF YOU HAVE FAITH AND BOLDNESS TO PROVE AND DEFEND IT IN CHRIST AND LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

All these appearances centred on His mission and mandate of the disciples to preach forgiveness of sins in His name and belief in Him to obtain eternal salvation. It was all about the kingdom of God to love, feed and care for His disciples and not revenge on His enemies.

ALL THE APPEARANCES OF JESUS TO HIS DISCIPLES WAS TO ACHIEVE KINGDOM AGENDA AND PURPOSE. IT WAS TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE AND RENEW THE MISSION AND SPIRITUAL MANDATE TOWARDS THE FULFILLMENT OF VISION OF SAVING THE WHOLE WORLD. IT WAS TO AWAKEN THE DISCIPLES FROM THE DOLDRUMS OF SADNESS, FEAR, UNKNOWN FUTURE AND INACTION TO THE WORKS OF GOD.

Among the disciples who saw the Lord Jesus Christ during the forty days period include Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, and Salome (MATTHEW 28:9 & 10, MARK 16:1 - 8, LUKE 24:1 - 8).

The road to Emmaus was another Sovereign appearance of resurrected Jesus to two disciples. The village was seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus in His identity from the two disciples used the opportunity to enlighten them of the necessity of the Christ to suffer and resurrect according to what is written in the scriptures. Eventually, their eyes and understanding opened and they recognized that they had walked, discussed and ate with Jesus as it used to be before His arrest, sufferings, crucifixion, death and burial (LUKE 24:13 - 32).

John the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ wrote that Jesus appeared to the fearful disciples in a room where they were gathered together but without Thomas. He showed them His nail pieced hands and feet and made them touch them to prove His humanness and resurrection from the dead, and not a spirit.He charged them to be mission minded as a divine responsibility and empowered them by the Holy Spirit (JOHN 20:19 - 25).

Again Jesus appeared to the disciples after eight days for the sake of Thomas to make him see His resurrected body and indelible scars in the hands and side. He asked him to touch them and believe that He is Jesus the Christ who had resurrected from the dead. Thomas believed Jesus and acknowledged Him as Lord and God (JOHN 20:26 - 29).

The message revealed that Jesus’ appearances to the disciples was to make them believe His resurrection before any divine charge, assignment and responsibility.

The bible records that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James delivered Jesus’ message to the eleven disciples and other disciples present with them to meet Him on the mountain in Galilee. There His presence and love cast out their fears and renewed their confidence in continuous belief in Him and obedience to His teachings and words and the Great Commission (MATTHEW 28:16 - 20).

The Apostle Paul stated his belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as written in the scriptures, and also showed records of disciples as a testimony to all believers as Christians. He cited the encounters from the closest disciples who became Apostles with the names of Cephas as Peter, James, over five hundred people, other disciples, and then he himself Paul in due time (1 CORINTHIANS 15:5 - 8). It reveals that Jesus Christ

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continues to reveal Himself to believers and even unbelievers to prove to them that He resurrected from the dead and He lives forevermore.

Truly, when Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled the eternal plan of God to bring us into the holy of holies. Therefore the veil was thorn into two and symbolized access to the Holy of Holies through the Lord Jesus Christ and no more through the high priest. It meant that the separation between the outer court and the Holy of Holies was broken forever. The rocks quaked and graves were opened (MATTHEW 27:51).

This physical manifestation of the power of God in earthquake and opened graves resulted in the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. The bible did not use the word death but fallen asleep to signify a waiting period for resurrection. It shows further that these resurrected bodies took place after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead in the first day after the sabbath. To prove and confirm resurrection of the dead, they came out to the public in the likeness of Jesus and showed themselves to people before they went to their new resting place in the third heavens (MATTHEW 27:52 & 53).

It was a proof of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and change of authority and relocation of the abode of the saints of God who had fallen asleep from paradise in shoel to the third heavens. It means that life after death is no longer in paradise which was originally located in shoel but in the third heavens; yes a part of heaven. Now its relocation is in heaven as written in the scriptures. We read

PSALM 68:18 - You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there.

The Psalmist prophesied many years ago that the Christ will ascend into heaven together with the company of the saints. It revealed a situation of freedom from bondage of a redeemed people of God. Besides, it will also be associated with the receipts of gifts that would signify the presence of God.

In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this prophecy was fulfilled as revealed by Apostle Paul about walking in the unity of Christ’s gifts in the Church. We read

EPHESIANS 4:8 - 10 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

The Apostle Paul quoted the prophecy of PSALM 68:18 to make us know that when Christ led the resurrected saints into heaven, He also gave gifts to believers known as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Its intended purpose is to facilitate the work of the Church and ministry.

He reaffirmed the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ to be the act of God in fulfillment of prophecy and scripture. For Christ to ascend to heaven, it meant that He first descended to the lower parts of the earth known as shoel and set the captives free and then ascended into heaven to fill all things as God.

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Ladies and Gentlemen of the Christian faith and to all Christians today, near future and long future, these are the infallible proofs of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to make our belief in Him as Saviour and Lord continuous and forever. It is the hope of the Christian to be with Jesus Christ in the attainment of eternal life. Yes this is the testimony about the resurrection and eternal blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

INDEED, JESUS CHRIST PROVED HIMSELF AS HAVING RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD. HE PROVED HIMSELF AS GOD AND AWAKENED THE DISCIPLES TO THEIR CONTINUOUS RELIEF IN HIM AFTER A PERIOD OF SADNESS, FEARS AND UNKNOWN OF THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF HIS SUFFERINGS UNTO DEATH. THESE WERE THE PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE HIS AUTHORITY FOR MULTIPLICATION, AND THERFORE THERE WAS THE NEED TO INCREASE THEIR CONFIDENCE IN HIM FOR THE RECEIPT OF DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE MESSAGE REVEALS ALSO THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST CULMINATED IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS WHO HAD FALLEN ASLEEP. THEIR APPEARANCES TO MANY PEOPLE AFTER JESUS' RESURRECTION SIGNIFY HIM AS THE FIRSTFRUIT OF RESURRECTION AND THOSE SAINTS AS SECOND IN SYMBOLIC OF ALL CHRISTIANS WHO FALL ASLEEP IN THE LORD.

IT SIGNIFIED RELOCATION OF THE RESTING PLACE OF THE SAINTS IN ETERNAL LIFE FROM PARADISE IN SHOEL TO THE THIRD HEAVENS; AS JESUS CHRIST LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVES AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO THE CHURCH.     

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (10)

A//   JESUS PROMISED THE HOLY SPIRIT 

ACTS 1:4 & 5 - 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; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The gathering and meeting of the disciples was because of Jesus to show Himself after resurrection and restore their joy, faith and confidence in Him. Mission had been completed and appearances to the disciples increased their faith and restored their joy. Messages on the kingdom of God were explained for their understanding and continuous belief in Him after His resurrection. At this stage, even doubting Thomas had been convinced of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead after he saw Him and the nail pierced hands, legs and side with His own eyes.

With the belief of all the disciples about Jesus' resurrection, the core message was delivered to them for obedience. Jesus commanded them to remain in Jerusalem and wait patiently for the Promise of the Father which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

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Again, Jesus made a distinction between John’s baptism of forgiveness of sins and baptism of the Holy Spirit for works. He assured the disciples that in the same way John baptised with water for repentance and forgiveness of sins in the river Jordan, likewise the baptism of the Holy Spirit was necessary and sure to be experienced with physical signs unto blessings. It was going to be soon but exact day and time was not mentioned.

There was no need for the disciples to doubt or question Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem and patiently wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This time round, they believed with expectation and hope because Jesus had proved Himself in death and resurrection according to the writings of the Prophets and scriptures. His appearances and messages about God’s kingdom to them was enough confidence in Him to deliver His promise.

THE CORE MESSAGE OF JESUS TO THE DISCIPLES WAS THE NEED TO REMAIN IN JERUSALEM AND BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THIS WAS A SURE WORD OF JESUS TO BE EXPERIENCED AS IT WAS WITH JOHN’S BAPTISM.

FEAR WAS NOW A THING OF THE PAST BECAUSE ALL OF THEM BELIEVED IN JESUS' RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. THIS WAS TIED TO OBEDIENCE NOT BECAUSE OF FEAR, BUT ENCOUNTERS THROUGH HIS APPEARANCES.

IT SHOWS THAT CHRISTIANS MUST DETERMINE TO OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS OF JESUS CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IF WE ARE TO HAVE DIVINE EXPERIENCES FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

B//   LOST FOCUS 

The words of people determine their level of understanding and spirituality with regard to the kingdom of God and His Son Jesus Christ. We read

ACTS 1:6 - Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The joy of the disciples was heightened by Jesus’ appearances, divine messages to encourage them, and command to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit patiently in Jerusalem. In this state, they questioned Jesus whether He would restore the kingdom to Israel for they had been in bondage for a long time under many nations and now under the Romans. They needed a higher authority like that of Jesus and the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit to make power change hands.

It revealed their understanding level of the disciples and lack of revelation about Jesus’ death and resurrection, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and expected results. Their minds were soaked with kingdom matters but their thoughts were different from the agenda of Jesus Christ. This is not different from the spirituality and righteousness of Easter celebration by Christians and the routine of a different agenda and pursuance for self – satisfaction after its celebration. This revelation makes me believe, say and write that Easter celebration about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should be encouraged, promoted and practiced all year round.

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It was inconsistent with the word of God for His thoughts and ways are different and higher than that of man (ISAIAH 55:8 & 9). The only way to think like God and be in the known of His plans is to have the Holy Spirit in us.Besides, Jesus’ teachings were associated with the promised Holy Spirit, functions and roles in their lives and this world. The Holy Spirit would be sent by the Father in His name to teach all truths and remind us of all that we have learnt (JOHN 14:26). Again Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit from the Father to testify of Him, and make them bear witnesses of Him (JOHN 15:26 & 27). Jesus saw the need to return of the Father before the Holy Spirit is sent to them. Besides, the functions of the Holy Spirit would be to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (JOHN 16:7 - 11). The Holy Spirit was also spoken as the Spirit of truth to come and guide into all truths, and would only speak of His authority to honour and glorify Him (JOHN 16:13 & 14).

It means to say that the disciples were already familiar with the Holy Spirit focus and functional areas. Therefore, the paradigm shift meant a constant reminder by Jesus as long as He remained with them. This epitomized Jesus’ command to remain in Jerusalem and patiently be baptized by the Holy Spirit for power. That was the only way to cause a paradigm shift to have constant understanding and revelation about God’s kingdom for cooperation beyond the freedom dear to the hearts of the Jews.

Earlier before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, He preached about the restoration about the kingdom of God and taught various related areas to increase knowledge and promote obedience. Even after His resurrection, His messages revolved around the kingdom of God.

It means to be spiritually conscious and discerning to know the will of God for us as Christians. It means to be prayerful, knowledgeable, full of truth and revelation, and understand the ways of God and preferences to profit His kingdom through the finished work of Jesus on the cross and resurrection from the dead.We read

PROVERBS 29:18 - Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

Bible commentary: The Hebrew word for revelation speaks of revelatory vision, a word from God. Without God’s revelation of the law, the people flounder. True happiness is discovered within the constraints of revelation, in the counsel of the Saviour.

The message shows that the spoken word of God about His plans and purposes directs and redirects us into all truths and revelations. True joy and satisfaction is achieved when we know and practiced God’s word. When God’s word is missing, there is confusion and lost focus. Therefore, we need to be confined to God’s wisdom in Christ and leading of the Holy Spirit at all times.

It means to have the right focus, understanding and revelation by the Holy Spirit to command obedience as a participant and not an observer. It means to be reminded of the words of Jesus to do His will in righteousness with everlasting results and not our will in self - righteousness.

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THE DISCIPLES LOST FOCUS ABOUT ALL THE APPEARANCES AND MESSAGES OF JESUS CHRIST AFTER HIS RESURRECTION. IT WAS THE ATTEMPT OF THE DEVIL TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD BUT JESUS RE – SHAPED THEIR MINDS TO KINGDOM MATTERS AND AGENDA.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT WHEN THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR WAY AND PERISH. WHEN THE FOLLOWERS BECOME CONFUSED, THE LEADER MUST BE IN A POSITION TO REDIRECT THEM. BE PRAYERFUL TO BE DISCERNING AND NOT LOSE YOUR WAY LIKE JESUS’ DISCIPLES BECAUSE EVERY MOMENT COUNTS. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (11)

 GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND RIGHTEOUS 

God is Sovereign and righteous and this puts Him in the incomparable class as God. We read of Jesus' response to the question of restoration of the kingdom promised by Jesus. Though the agenda and expectation was wrong, Jesus used the opportunity to explain to them another attribute of God the Father in the reading of

ACTS 1:7 - And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

These were the plain words of Jesus to the elated disciples. They were not to know the times and seasons that the Father had decided by His own authority. It revealed the Sovereignty of God who is All Knowing and righteous in all His ways. It did not mean that the disciples, and for that matter Christians, should not be discerning, but must obey the command of the Great Commission and change the whole world with His gospel of salvation.

Truly, the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ would come as promised but the agenda was and is still to preach His death and resurrection by the disciples and all believers as Christians. His message is a caution against waste of time and energy to be marking time about His second coming with authority and not be doing anything about the Great Commission. Indeed, the devil would have taken advantage of the exact period, date, date and time to deceive Christians to live carelessly and limit the mission and vision of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was a reawaken call to the disciples and therefore to all Christians to live and preach Christ and not to play God or make themselves like God to determine what He has put in place by His own authority. Since the Holy Spirit speaks the mind of Christ to us as the word and will of God, we are to pray, listen, know and obey His messages for attainment of righteous results.

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It means that prayers to do the will of God would be effective unlike prayers for Jesus’ second coming. It meant also that all the promises of God in Christ that must be fulfilled before His second coming was yet to be fulfilled, and generations of Christians are making them real. It means also that when Christians fulfill Christ’s righteous requirement to evangelize the whole world as given opportunity for all people to hear and believe, then the promised second coming of Jesus Christ and restoration of the kingdom would be fulfilled.

It means to live and preach Christ, and fulfill our ministry with gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit before we die as Christians. It means to prepare ourselves for accountability of our lives and works and gifts of the Holy Spirit in total and complete obedience to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. It means to be instructed and led by the Holy Spirit at all times.

The statement of Jesus to the disciples was also a reminder of the word of God in

DEUTERONOMY 29:29 - “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

It shows that God is the creator and maker of all things to conform to His design and expectation. God has secret things known to Him until He reveals them to us by His Holy Spirit. Then, we can communicate revealed knowledge to subsequent generation and charge them to obey them through the emulation of our obedience first. Yes when God speaks His word, then it becomes revelation and knowledge to us and we uphold it as with the revelation of His Son Jesus Christ and eternal salvation through belief in Him as Saviour and Lord.

It means not to question the wisdom and sovereignty of God in His times and seasons. After all, we are His creation and all decisions are to bless us eternally. We the clay and cannot question Him as the Potter of what He is doing with us and in us through the gospel of Jesus Christ and workings of the Holy Spirit. Yes we cannot turn the ways of God upside down because He has unlimited authority and is All Knowing (ISAIAH 29:16).

Close to the completion of Jesus' ministry before death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, He narrated the end time events with promises and tribulations and cautioned them against false prophets and messiahs who will deceive people in His name. On the day of His second coming, we read of Jesus’ words to the disciples in

MATTHEW 24:36 – But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.Only God knows the day of Jesus’ second coming is an affirmation of God’s authority to set plans and keep to His word without partiality. Even the angels in heaven do not know the exact time of Jesus' second coming. Therefore do not be deceived by any angelic or revelation, vision or demons or prophecy that Jesus' coming is on a particular date, year, month, day and hour.

It means that Jesus succumbed to the sovereignty, authority and wisdom of God in His creation and affairs of humanity. A clear example is His birth, ministry, death and resurrection that instituted the glorious new covenant and grace that replaced the old covenant of the law.

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The good news is that Jesus gave us information of the signs preceding His coming and not the exact day (MATTHEW 24:37 – 44 & 45 – 51). it means to be committed, obedient and focused in living and preaching Jesus Christ in every generation in preparedness of His second coming. It means to say that the times and the seasons are perfectly in the hands of God without mistakes.

The message is clear: Anybody who comes with a revelation that Jesus’ second coming is on a particular hour, day, month and year is a false prophet, teacher and messiah with a different spirit. Only God knows and Jesus teaches us to look up to God and obey His word like His ministry and salvation work for humanity (JOHN 3:16 – 18). It means that if we love and obey God, then we will obey the words of Jesus Christ because He fulfilled the Messianic prophecy given by God for our eternal salvation.

GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND RIGHTEOUS AND SHOWED IN THE ANSWER TO THE DISCIPLES THAT HE HAS SET THINGS IN HIS OWN AUTHORITY WITHOUT CONSULTING ANYBODY. HE IS GOD IN HIS OWN CLASS AND THE CLAY CANNOT ASK THE POTTER WHAT HE IS DOING WITH IT. THIS WAS JESUS’ MESSAGE TO THE DISCIPLES AND STILL POTENT AND REVELATION TO THE CHURCH AND ALL CHRISTIANS.

IT MEANS TO TRUSTS IN GOD’S DECISIONS AND JUDGMENTS BECAUSE HE IS RIGHTEOUS IN ALL HIS WAYS AND WORKS. IT MEANS NOT TO WASTE OUR TIME, ENERGY AND RESOURCES ON THINGS OUTSIDE THE WILL OF GOD. IT MEANS TO OBEY THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST TO HAVE ABSOLUTE TRUST IN GOD EVEN WHEN IT IS NONSENSE TO OUR HUMAN MINDS.

IT IS ALSO SATISFYING TO KNOW THAT GOD IS INTERESTED IN REVEALING THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW AS EVIDENT IN THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST. IT MEANS ALSO THAT IF GOD HAS NOT REVEALED ANYTHING TO US IN CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THEN IT IS NOT FOR CONSUMPTION NOW OR BELONGS TO A PARTICULAR PERSON OR PERSONS OR GENERATION UNTIL THE DUE TIME.

IT MEANS TO BE COMMITTED AND FOCUSED IN THE THINGS THAT GOD HAS REVEALED AND ENTRUSTED TO US IN CHRIST BY HIS SPIRIT; FOR LIFE IS PERFECTLY IN THE HANDS OF GOD. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 YOU NEED TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 

ACTS 1:8 - 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.”

The visionary leader knows all the needed resources for the mission to achieve the vision. The Great Commission was given to the disciples because Jesus Christ had all heavenly and earthly authority to achieve it. The same authority needed to be transferred to the disciples and all Christians and the Church and therefore Jesus was straightforward with them: This is what they need instead of having a paradigm shift of

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the eternal plans of God to worldly expectation of change of kingdoms with Him as the head. Besides, the sovereignty and righteousness of God was revealed to them in all matters of life.

They needed to be baptized by the Holy Spirit to become witnesses of Him in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and then to all nations of the earth. The good news of His death and resurrection was too good to be kept among themselves in a restricted manner. He died to save to the whole world and they needed the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the divine mandate and mission. Yes, they needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to have their whole hearts and minds, and passion and tastes be towards the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.

The message of Jesus was that it was not mere talk, knowledge, physical strength and energy to do and achieve the mission. It was a reminder to the zeal of Peter when he said that he would follow Jesus everywhere and yet denied Him three times in the courts of the High Priest. Jesus prophesied and spoke by word of knowledge by the Holy Spirit and it came to pass in an accurate measure.

True to the words of Jesus, Peter denied Him three times before a servant girl, another girl at the gateway and people who stood around him. In these three circumstances, Peter denied knowledge and association with Jesus and even spoke on oath (MATTHEW 26:31 - 35, 36 - 45, 46, 56, 69 - 74). Oh how the mighty became feeble and men became women because of fear (JEREMIAH 30:18).

In the same vein, the words of Jesus to the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit were true. They needed to trusts in His righteous judgment having proved Himself as the resurrected Christ. The same Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead was to baptize them for spiritual empowerment to be successful without abandonment. The mission demanded hard work on the big mission field, and the vision achievable throughout the generations.

It revealed the truth of the word of God about dependence on divine power and strength as we read

ISAIAH 40:28 - 31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

It reveals the distinction between the power of God and that of humanity. Whilst the power of God is unlimited and connected to His nature as the Creator and His creation and sustenance, that of humanity is limited and exhaustive even with young men. The message continues that only the power and strength of God is sustainable and could be trusted. For the power and strength of humanity has a false pretense of ability to perform and achieve results.

The good news is that God’s word prescribes a righteous way to depend on Him for the inner and physical power and strength to work and achieve righteous results. He gives power and strength to people who wait on Him; depend on Him through His word and Spirit. It means to seek God in prayer and meditate on His word for strength power continuously to experience Him and do His work. It shows that where the arm of flesh fails you, the power of God will make you a successful person.

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This epitomizes Jesus’ word that the fulfillment of the Great Commission was no child play but needed a high level spiritual authority to be consistent and focused. This great move of God had been completed by our Lord Jesus Christ and the Church was to be birthed in baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was to mark the beginning and era of the Holy Spirit because Jesus was going back to the Father.

It was a message that without the Holy Spirit, they could do and achieve nothing. This is because the power to do is by the Holy Spirit. It is the message presented by the Prophet ISAIAH about a hopeless and complacent and deserted situation that could change only by the release of the Spirit from above (ISAIAH 32:16 - 20).

THE SPIRIT BRINGS FRESHNESS AND VITALITY IN LIFE.

The blessing of God on Israel is compared to the pouring of the Spirit like water. However, only the thirsty were to benefit from God’s blessing even unto their descendants. Every dry ground was to be filled with God’s Spirit like water. The work of the Spirit would command a great blessing on Israel that it would be symbolic of the freshness of the water courses. Besides, the blessing of God would show righteous identities in sense of belonging with God and His names (ISAIAH 44:3 - 5). This was information about the benefit of the work of the Holy Spirit.

THE SPIRIT IS SYMBOLIC OF WATER POURED ON A THIRSTY DRY LAND.

Again, God assured the Israelites that He would bring them back from captivity and gather them together as His people. The newness of life and vitality was the promised luring of the Spirit on them. It means to say that the pouring of the Spirit signifies new life, identity and freshness in the works of God (EZEKIEL 39:28 & 29).

RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY AND GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE MEANS THAT THE NEXT STAGE IS NECESSARY FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT FOR REVIVAL AND WORKS.

God kept reminding the Israelites about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We read

JOEL 2:28 - 31 And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pil The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

The message reveals the newness and freshness of God's Spirit on both the young and the elderly. It means to say that the Spirit of God has the ability to revive and bring newness and freshness into lives as it was with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This prophecy revealed God’s plan of eternal salvation that would culminate in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh; even beyond the borders and nation of Israel. Compared to other prophecies of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this one was definite and extensive to cover all believers.

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THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS FOR ALL FLESH BEYOND THE BORDERS AND NATION OF ISRAEL. IT WAS A REVELATION THE CLOSENESS TO FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S PLAN OF ETERNAL SALVATION.

The Prophet Zechariah prophesied as the last Prophet before the going our Lord Jesus Christ. We read

ZECHARIAH 12:8 – 10 In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Mourning for the Pierced One “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

The power and strength of the Lord was to come upon the Israelites to defend and quicken the weak and feeble. In this wondrous work, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit would strengthen the feeble and make them strong and mighty like David, and the house of Israel holy and mighty like being in God’s presence or before His angel.

The evidence of grace and supplications would be associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In this might, God would defend His people against enemies. It revealed His might and power against enemies.

It revealed a turning over to obedience because of God’s power and Spirit. It means to say Yes Lord and submit to Christ's authority. It means to look up at the pieced one as the Messiah and hope of reconciliation.

TO QUICKEN AND MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE POWER OF GOD TO USE EVERYBODY INCLUDING THE WEAK AND FEEBLE. IT MAKES ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE WHERE PREVIOUSLY THERE HAD BEEN REJECTIONS.

Yes this was the kind of baptism promised in the Old Testament and was spoken by Jesus on as a necessity to experience before fulfilling of the Great Commission. The new was about to take over from the old and the baptism of the kingdom Spirit needed to make this happen as spoken by Jesus Christ.

It shows the importance of the Holy Spirit to bring newness, freshness, power, rainfall, and change of hearts and minds and passion and tastes towards the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and the Great Commission all over the world. The revelation of Jesus Christ was that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a necessity and inevitable if heaven’s agenda, mission and vision are to be achieved.

TRULY, ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES CONFIRMED JESUS’ WORDS OF THE NECESSITY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BIRTH THE CHURCH INTO THE FULFILLMENT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION. YES YOU NEED TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE GOD CAN USE YOU WITH UNDERSTANDING AND REVELATION AND WITHOUT EXCUSES. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (13)

A//   JESUS ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN 

ACTS 1:9 - Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Jesus was taken up to heaven in a gentle way before the presence of His disciples on the mount at Galilee. This was after He reconnected them to the heavenly vision and made them aware of the necessity to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. It meant that His mission on earth was completed and the rest of the story belonged to the Holy Spirit who would tell them all truths and revelations because He would live and be with them.

The miracle before the eyes of the disciples was so wonderful to them that they kept looking at Jesus ascending to heaven in glory and a cloud covered Him.This was also a reminder of Jesus’ earlier word to the disciples about His inevitable departure to the Father in heaven. We readJOHN 16:5 - 7 But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus declared boldly and confidently that it was to the advantage of the disciples to go back to the Father for a righteous reason. The Holy Spirit had to come and reveal all truths and explain the nature of the Kingdom of God in details, and the significance and necessity in His death and resurrection. The divine arrangement was that Jesus had to return to the Father before the Holy Spirit comes to reside in and with us irrespective of placement and location.

Besides, the Holy Spirit had to come for empowerment for service because the mission is big and tough with both physical and spiritual battles. The message revealed that the baptism of the Holy Spirit would make the Great Commission a success with eternal results as victory over the works of the devil and enemies of righteousness. It was to teach the walk of obedience and faith with the Holy Spirit as it was with Jesus. Therefore, Jesus had to return to the Father for this to become a reality.

It revealed that the mind of Christ was righteous towards the disciples. It means also that Jesus' departure to the Father was in joy and fulfillment of scripture and not for personal reasons.

Another righteous reason why Jesus had to ascend to heaven is what we read in

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EPHESIANS 4:8 - Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

Apostle Paul reiterates the truth that Jesus ascended into heaven and led captivity captives to their new place of the third heavens. It meant that the souls of righteous people in shoel were transferred to heaven when Jesus ascended into heaven. It reveals the glorious company of Jesus Christ and the souls of righteous people and included resurrected bodies of righteous people who came to the city after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Besides, the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven was a mark of victory over the devil and his demons and fulfilled scripture in the distribution of gifts to believers. It had to happen according to scripture as God had spoken and written.

THE MESSAGE SHOWS THAT JESUS’ ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN WAS PROPHETIC AND SCRIPTURAL. THE BENEFITS WAS THE PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN AND WITH US ON A UNIVERSAL SCALE TO REVEAL AND TEACH US ALL TRUTHS, PLUS SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT FOR SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENT OF RIGHTEOUS RESULTS AT ALL LEVELS.

B//   THE TESTIMONY OF THE TWO ANGELS; DIVINE WITNESSES 

ACTS 1:10 & 11 - And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Testimonies are based on eye witnesses account of people’ activities and events. In Jesus’ ascension, it involved angels who questioned them about their gaze in the sky for the sight of Jesus Christ. In reality, Jesus is often described as the King of angels because of the angelic ministrations surrounding His birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension. It means to say that His return with authority would also be associated with angels because He is known as the King of angels.

Yes Jesus is gone to heaven as He promised you earlier. Mission accomplished! Do not be saddened my brethren for in the manner of ascension would be the same manner of return. This increased the belief of the disciples in Jesus greatly and assured them that the reign of Christ as written in the scriptures and prophesied would be become a reality at the appointed time.

This was good news and hope to the disciples and many have even predicted the second coming of Jesus soon without taking cognizance of the prophecy of the end times in MATTHEW 24.

The message reveals that it was time to work and it begins with the obedience of Jesus to await the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. The power for service was inevitable to make the mission successful on a universal scale in every country of the world. They were not to be star gazers and use their limited physical eyes to determine Jesus’ location and appearance but be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit who can

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discern and lead them in righteousness in the Lord’s work. They were not to be anxious but very much concerned with the Lord’s work.

It is a message for all believers as Christians to be in good and righteous states at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is coming back in the same manner of ascending into heaven, we are to maintain our Christian faith and Christian status across the generations. Our belief in Jesus Christ would be the legacy passed onto future generations of Christians to prepare His second coming. We are not to believe, see and expect the second coming of Jesus Christ with our physical eyes but we must believe of ascension, placement a return with our spiritual eyes. Yes our physical eyes cannot see beyond the flesh unlike our spiritual eyes by the Holy Spirit.

The words of the angels are to be believed as it was with His resurrection. As Jesus met Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, and confirmed the word of the angels about the meeting on the mount of Galilee, likewise Jesus would have to prove Himself in His second coming to judge all people and the world and confirm the word of the angels. Remember, He is the King of angels.

THE MESSAGE OF THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IS TO BE PREACHED TO ALL PEOPLES, COUNTRIES AND NATIONS. IT IS A REMINDER THAT IN THE SAME WAY HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, LIKEWISE HE WOULD RETURN TO THE EARTH TO JUDGE ALL PEOPLES AND THE NATIONS WITH AUTHORITY.

WE ARE NOT TO BE STAR GAZERS LIKE THE DISCIPLES WHERE JESUS’ ASCENSION WAS FRESH IN THEIR EYES. IT REVEALS THAT THE PHYSICAL EYES CANNOT SEE THE BEAUTY OF CHRIST’S GLORY AND BEAUTY IN HEAVEN UNLIKE OUR SPIRITUAL EYES BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL, KNOWLEDGEABLE, FULL OF WISDOM, EMPOWERED FOR SERVICE AND SHOWING FORTH THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS BELIEVERS AND CHRISTIANS BAPTIZED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BE WISE BUDDY TO TELL PEOPLE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK TO JUDGE WITH AUTHORITY.  🔑

==================================================================================·  THE UPPER ROOM MEETING (1) 

A//   FROM MOUNT OLIVET TO JERUSALEM 

ACTS 1:12 - Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.

There was great joy with Jesus' ascension to heaven and encouragement by the angels that His return is inevitable and a blessing for all believers. In this joy, they returned from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem which was a Sabbath’s day journey. A Sabbath day journey was a distance of seven furlongs and a half.

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A Sabbath day journey was about twenty five (25) hours just like few minutes before sunset on Friday and continues to until an hour after sunset on Saturday. Whether short or long, the disciples travelled by first descending Mount Oliver and then walked the distance to Jerusalem.

It revealed obedience on the part of Jesus’ disciples and Christ’s impartation of revelation and truths of the Kingdom of God to them by the Holy Spirit. This was a positive sign of a brighter future to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and fulfill their spiritual mandate in the given Great Commission. It means not to belittle simple instructions from the Lord Jesus Christ that do not look miraculous from the beginning.

It meant that Jesus Christ succeeded in making their belief complete in His resurrection from the dead. His ascension to heaven and the divine witnesses and words of the angels increased their faith in Him. These spiritual experiences revealed Jesus as the Christ and Lord who accomplished His work on earth and returned to the Father.

It reveals a purpose driven life and mission mindedness and quick action in response to Jesus' instruction by the Holy Spirit. Yes having seen and communicated with Jesus after His resurrection, and ascension into heaven, they were ready to be endued with power from above and become His ministers in Jerusalem, Samaria and all parts of the earth (GREAT COMMISSION).

Know that the word and principles of God are true. God directs His servants and all righteous people to the right places at the right time. We read

PSALM 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

The Psalmist reveals that God instructs His children and servants in ways of righteousness and blesses them. It shows also that God is delighted in our obedience to His word because He knows that the end result is a blessing with continuous trusts in Him.

It was on this divine truth and revelation that Jesus Christ instructed the disciples by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem and wait patiently for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. His intentions and motives were good towards them for the heavenly mission and vision must be achieved as God’s perfect will.

It means to trusts in the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ because His decisions and instructions are righteous and a blessing. It means to be prayerful, knowledgeable, humble, mission minded and have the mind of Christ to be led by the Holy Spirit to the right people in the right places and at the right time.

OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST IS THE LOYALTY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH TO EXPERIENCE GREATER REVELATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. IT WAS A WALK OF FAITH FOR THE DISCIPLES BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED BEFORE THEY TOOK ACTION. THEY DID NOT KNOW EVERYTHING AND HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS BUT THEY BELIEVED HIM.

MAKE YOUR REVELATIONS OF JESUS CHRIST PROGRESSIVE TO BUILD YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH AND NOT TO JEOPARDIZE YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH. FEED YOUR EYES AND EARS, HEARTS AND MINDS WITH CHRISTIAN MESSAGES AND NOT WORLDLY MESSAGES. BE WISE BUDDY.

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AMONG THEM WAS THOMAS WHO THIS TIME BELIEVED TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. IT IS A REVELATION THAT BELIEVERS AS CHRISTIANS MUST BELIEVE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE AND NOT SEE AND EXPERIENCE TO BELIEVE. THE FORMER IS SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND MATURITY AND THE LATTER LACK OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH, AND IMMATURITY.

IT MEANS TO BELIEVE THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUSTWORTHY. IT MEANS TO BELIEVE ALWAYS THE INSTRUCTIONS OF JESUS CHRIST EVEN IF THEY LOOK TOO SIMPLE TO US. 

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 THE UPPER ROOM MEETING (2) 

A//   THE UNITY OF THE DISCIPLES; THE MIND OF JESUS CHRIST 

ACTS 1:13 - And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.

Obedience produce results and is transparent and evident of one’s decision. The obedience of the disciples to Jesus’ command to go to Jerusalem defined their high confidence in Him and new passion towards the Lord’s work. To make sure that the unity of the eleven (11) disciples was 100%, their names were mentioned beginning from Peter to Judas the son of James. The most vocal and daring disciple was Peter and he proved himself to Jesus spiritually and physically to qualify as the leader of the disciples.

Earlier Peter spoke by revelation of God that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. The promise of Jesus was that He is the rock and on his confession, He would build His Church and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it (MATTHEW 16:16 – 19). He was a man of fait for he walked on water (MATTHEW 14:22 & 23). He was also among the three closest disciples of Jesus besides John and James and experienced His transfiguration (MATTHEW 17:1 – 9).

After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter ran to the tomb of Jesus after informed by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. The book of Luke shows that the disciples did not believe Jesus’ resurrection at the first hearing but Peter ran to the tomb and stooped to see the empty tomb (LUKE 24:10 – 12).

After the third time that Jesus showed Himself to the disciples, the leadership of Peter became more revealing and evident. The final test and confirmation was the three (3) questions posed by Jesus to him. It was meant to reveal Peter’s heart and mind about his belief and confidence in Him, and commitment to the heavenly mission and vision. The questions centred on the agape kind of love which was to shape and determine his leadership prowess to head the Church.

Spiritual authority had changed hands and physical authority as representatives of God and the Lord Jesus was to change hands and replace the Chief Priests and Sanhedrin who opposed and crucified Him. Peter was going to be the head of the Church with heavenly and earthly authority to change people and situations.

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Jesus wanted unquestionable loyalty, commitment and faithfulness from Peter to shepherd, handle and manage His interests on earth. All the three intriguing and provocative questions were answered by Peter to affirm his renewed love to Jesus and commitment to the heavenly mission (JOHN 21:15 - 19).

Truly, Jesus had to deal with Peter’s ego before confirming Him as the head of the disciples and the Church. This was also in line with Jesus' earlier message that trustworthiness in handling worldly money and resources is a righteous sign to be entrusted with heavenly inheritance (LUKE 16:11 & 12).

It means to say that spiritual leadership in the Church must be Holy Spirit revealed and led and counsel beyond personal likes and dislikes.

It means to say that Peter was able to organize and bring together all the eleven (11) disciples in obedience to the Holy Spirit instruction of Jesus Christ. Only Judas Iscariot was missing because he fulfilled the prophecy of the betrayer, and subsequently to his death in the form of a suicide.

It did not mean that they were the only disciples who journeyed from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem. There were other disciples but their names were mentioned to place emphasis on Christ’s ability to completely remove fears and doubts from their hearts and minds and replaced them with belief, faith, obedience, humility and hope.

THE MENTIONED NAMES OF THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES IS A REVELATION OF THE TRUTH THAT OBEDIENCE TO THE INSTRUCTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS HUMILITY, DETERMINATION AND REWARDING. IT MEANS TO BE COUNTED IN THE NUMBER OF THE LOYALS AND TRUSTED WITH REGARDS TO JESUS’ INSTRUCTIONS. IT MEANS TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ALL FORMS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SUCH US ENTERING JERUSALEM AND GOING UP TO THE UPPER ROOM; PLACE OF PRAYER AND FELLOWSHIP.

IT UNEARTHED THE LEADERSHIP ABILITIES OF PETER AND JESUS’ CHOICE OF HIM BEFORE HIS DEATH AND AFTER HIS RESURRECTION. IT MEANS TO SAY THAT GOD IS INTERESTED IN TRUSTWORTHY LEADERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE GREAT INFLUENCES OVER THE MASSES.

TRULY, PETER PROVED HIMSELF TO CONFIRM JESUS’ IDENTIFICATION, RECOGNITION AND CONFIRMATION OF HIM AS THE LEADER OF THE DISCIPLES AND HEAD OF THE CHURCH TO BE BIRTHED. 

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 THE UPPER ROOM MEETING (3) 

 UNITY IN PRAYERS AND FELLOWSHIP 

ACTS 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

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The Upper Room in Jerusalem where the disciples met occasionally was a spiritual house where prayers, fellowships and performances of other righteous accomplishments were recorded there. These include Jesus’ feet washing (JOHN 13:1 - 20). Oral tradition records that the last supper of Jesus took place in the Upper Room on Mount Zion, just outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem.

The whole picture of the Upper Room shows all the eleven (11) disciples, women and prominent among them Mary the mother of Jesus and biological brothers. They showed their obedience to Jesus by going into prayer and supplication. Truly, a spiritual power house with memorials of righteous works was the right place to be in response to divine instruction by Jesus.

They prayed to God and thanked Him for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and bringing comfort to them. They put their requests to God in line with their high confidence in Jesus Christ. Also, they put their supplications to God as a form of prayer to demonstrate their humility. Since supplications has to do with kneeling down and bending down in which someone makes a humble petition or an entreaty with God, it shows that the disciples of Jesus were engaged in a high level spiritual exercise concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Yes all their prayers and supplications were connected to the promise of Jesus Christ about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was admission on their part that they needed to be empowered spiritually with divine authority for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

The unity of their faith in Jesus Christ and the promise of the Father showed that they believed in the proven integrity of Jesus’ ministry with His death and resurrection evident before their physical eyes. Truly, the only way to make His death and resurrection powerful with testimonies in fulfilling the Great Commission was to pray for spiritual empowerment.

It means to pray on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit instructions, prophecies, revelations, dreams, plans and activities of the Church for righteous results. Spiritual empowerment is not automatic in the Church and the lives of Christians. It means to be prepared and practice your belief in Jesus Christ and promises of the Father.

This is a revelation of the truth of God’s word in

PSALMS 133:1 – 3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

The choice of words by the Psalmist are the exact adjectives needed to bring out the meaning of the importance of unity of the brethren. It reveals the nature of God where His Spirit is said to be good. It means that the unity of the brethren command blessings on the people of God. It does them good and not evil because of common interests and agenda. Also, the unity of the brethren is a pleasant thing like a sweet smelling fragrance in the sight of God. It provokes God to bring His word to pass and fulfill His perfect plans and will.

The unity of the brethren is compared to the anointing of the priest of Aaron who was the head of the Leviticus Priesthood. Priests were anointed with fragrant oil as a symbol of God’s blessing in their holy office (EXODUS

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29- 33). In the same way that the abundant precious oil was enough to descend from Aaron’s head through. his beard and run further down to the edge of his garments, likewise the unity of the brethren revealed the anointing as the power of God to make His plans workable on earth. It was also a revelation of the unity of the Priesthood and the Church and the benefit of the anointing.

The high mountain to the north of Israel received such large amounts of water that seemed to be a source of moisture for the lands below. The unity of the brethren is compared to the dew of Hermon that shows freshness and calmness in the lives of people and the Church. The environmental conditions are beneficial to the people. Jerusalem was known for its mountainous environment and the unity of the brethren was like the dew of Hermon that descended from Mount Zion into the valley. The blessing of God flowed towards the people in the spirit of unity.

It revealed freshness and fertility as the blessing of the LORD. It is the same with the unity of the brethren to command the blessing of the LORD.

The revelation is that God commands His blessings always in the unity of the brethren to seek Him and perform His work. It means to say that God accomplishes great works with eternal results through the unity of the brethren and the Church.

The word of the Psalmist connects to Jesus’ prayer of the unity of the disciples in

JOHN 17:21 - Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

Jesus’ prayers were powerful and answered by God. The unity of the disciples was important to Him to show commitment and expansion of the mission areas. The only way for the manifestation of God’s blessing was unity of faith and purpose by all disciples. Jesus realized that it needed God’s presence and grace and not just human planning, organization and efforts. It was also to serve as a picture of the heavenly situation where God and Jesus Christ are united for a common purpose.

This partly contributed to the obedience of the disciples to the word of Jesus to go to Jerusalem and wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was easy for them to obey because Jesus prayed for their unity.

The word of the Psalmist connects to Jesus’ prayer of the unity of all believers and therefore the Church in

JOHN 17:20 & 21 - “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Jesus prayed also for the unity of all believers as Christians in obedience to His word and Holy Spirit led instructions in life and ministry. This includes you and I as Christians with the Holy Spirit in us. It means for all Christians to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the works of the Holy Spirit, have unity of the Christian faith to worship God, pray, fellowship, celebrate Christian and Church activities like Christmas, Lent, Easter,

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Ascension day, Pentecost day, etc. It means to be led by the Holy Spirit all the time and not be subjected to the whims and caprices of enemies of righteousness.

This is what Peter and the eleven (11) disciples and other disciples implemented in their prayers and supplications on the promise of the Father through the word of Jesus Christ. Their unity was based on the trustworthiness of Jesus' word and absolute confidence in Him. Since it took some time to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they demonstrated seeking hearts and prayerfully and meditatively waited on the Lord Jesus Christ. Their patience was tested and proven to be ready for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Now God was ready to perform His word among them and for the Church because of their obedience and sense of unity of faith and purpose.

UNITY OF THE DISCIPLES WAS ESSENTIAL TO OBEDIENCE, SENSE OF FAITH, UNDERSTANDING AND PURPOSE TOWARDS THE WORD OF JESUS CHRIST. SINCE THE BLESSING OF GOD COMES WITH UNITY OF THE BRETHREN, THE ACTION OF THE DISCIPLES SET THE BLESSING OF GOD IN MOTION.

IT REVEALED ALSO THAT THE DISCIPLES REMEMBERED JESUS’ PRAYER TO THE FATHER FOR THEM TO UNITE AS REVELATION OF HIM TO THE WORLD.

IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL AND MEDITATE ON THE PROMISES OF THE FATHER THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. DON’T JUST REJOICE IN THE SWEET PROMISES AND BLESSINGS OF GOD BUT PRAY AND MEDITATE ON THEM FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND EDIFICATION; FOR GOD IS ABOUT TO PERFORM HIS WORD. TRULY, WHAT YOU DO IN YOUR UPPER ROOM MATTERS TO GOD.

IT IS A MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH THAT WHEN OUR BELIEF IS COMPLETE WITH OBEDIENCE AND PRACTICE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IM UNITY, IT WILL PROVOKE GOD TO FULFILL HIS PROMISES AND BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES, MINISTRIES AND THE CHURCH. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 REPLACEMENT PROCESS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; MATTHIAS CHOSEN (1) 

 LEADERSHIP ABILITY OF PETER 

ACTS 1:15 – 17 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

The leadership ability of Peter began to unearth in accordance of his selection by Jesus to lead the disciples and the Church to be born. He stood among and before one hundred and twenty (120) disciples. These were part of the company of believers who heard of Christ’s resurrection, and experienced His appearances, and

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ascension to heaven. They believed in Jesus’ instruction by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem and wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Peter discerned and agreed with the ten (10) disciples that their number originally chosen by Jesus was not complete because of betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Therefore, he set in motion the process to fill in the gap and vacuum created. It was also necessary that this core group of Jesus’ disciples was complete before being endued with divine power for service in the Great Commission.

The records had to be set straight and any controversy be proven and settled by scripture. The sudden demise of Judas Iscariot needed to be explained before the devil took advantage and distorted the truth like the bribing scandal of the chief priests and the elders with the Roman soldiers recorded earlier (MATTHEW 28:11 - 15).

Truly, the early disciples of Jesus Christ had seeking hearts to search the scriptures and know and confirm gospel truths about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and all actions and inactions of personalities. Their position was also in accordance with the teaching of Jesus Christ that all who seek find (MATTHEW 7:7 & 8).Peter quoted the scripture spoken by the mouth of David that the dwelling place as the office of the betrayer would be taken by another person. The truth is that Judas Iscariot as one of the numbered twelve (12) disciples of Jesus Christ fulfilled this scripture. Like a film, someone had to play the devil and his character and bad habits fitted into this role. The bible records that he was the money handler of the offerings given to them by disciples. He was seen as a thief who stole part of the offering for himself and thus had the semblance of the devil (JOHN 12:4 – 6 & JOHN 10:10).

This explained why Peter mentioned that scripture had to be fulfilled and Judas Iscariot was the culprit. Truly, he betrayed Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane in the presence of the eleven disciples (MATTHEW 26:44 – 50). His speech was based on an eye witness account as among the disciples that prayed with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and also witnessed Judas presence and act of betrayal.

Earlier, he went to see the Chief priests and asked them what would be given to him if he handed Jesus to them. They agreed on thirty (30) pieces of silver and he accepted it gladly because he loved money more than anything in his life. The bible records that Judas Iscariot sought opportunity to betray Jesus (MATTHEW 26:14 – 16). He became corrupted even though he was one of Jesus’ disciples with record of great evangelistic ministry with healings, miracles, signs and wonders.The truth was that Jesus was aware of Judas evil heart, mind and connivance with the Chief priests and elders. This explains why He spoke and said that his betrayer was at hand after His third prayer and reawakening of the exhausted and sleepy disciples. It helped Him to go to the cross but Judas suffered the consequences of his action in fulfillment of scripture.

It means to have Christ’s nature to fulfill the promises of God and not an evil nature to fulfill the evil prophecies that bear semblance to the devil. Therefore, desire to maintain your Christian faith and principles and do not allow your enemies to paint and use you like a friend of the devil and his demons to fulfill an evil agenda against the Church, Ministers, Christians, families, marriages, organizations, institutions, individuals, etc.

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See yourself as an instrument of God's righteousness in Christ with the Holy Spirit. You are not and cannot be a witch or wizard with the spirit of the devil because you are Christian filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes give no place to the devil in your life, ministry and the Church like proven Ministers of Jesus Christ like Apostle Paul.

PETER’S LEADERSHIP ABILITY EMERGED IN HIS DEFENSE OF THE SCRIPTURE TO JUSTIFY THE DEMISE OF JUDAS THE BETRAYER. REPLACEMENT WAS INEVITABLE BECAUSE IT WAS PROPHETIC AND SCRIPTURAL TO REVEAL THE HIGH OFFICE FOR SERVICE WITH ETERNAL RESULTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

TRULY, THE EVIL CHARACTER AND HABITS OF JUDAS PAVED THE WAY TO FULFILL THE PROPHECY OF DAVID BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; NOT BECAUSE GOD WAS PARTIAL AND SELECTIVE IN JUSTICE. YES TRUTH AND NECESSITY DEMANDED THAT THE DISCIPLES WERE GIVEN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THE EVENT TO AVERT MISINFORMATION AS IT WAS WITH THE BRIBERY SCANDAL OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS WITH THE ROMAN SOLDIERS.

PETER’S MESSAGE TO THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES HAD JUDAS ISCARIOT AS THE CENTRAL FIGURE. HE WAS PORTRAYED AS HAVING FULFILLED SCRIPTURE TO BETRAY JESUS EVEN AS PART OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES THAT FOLLOWED JESUS CHRIST EVERYWHERE. HE SERVED AS MASTER STRATEGIST AND GUIDE TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS TO BETRAY JESUS WITH A KISS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

DISCERN AND DESIRE THEREFORE TO FULFIL RIGHTEOUS PROPHECIES AND SCRIPTURE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH, AND NOT FULFILL EVIL PROPHECIES WRITTEN IN THE SCRIPTURES. EITHER WAY, YOUR CHARACTER AND HABITS WOULD FUEL ONE OF THEM FOR A BLESSING OR A CURSE. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 REPLACEMENT PROCESS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; MATTHIAS CHOSEN (2) 

 DAVID’S PROPHECY FULFILLED 

ACTS 1:18 - 20 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’

Peter went further to explain the process in the fulfillment of scripture that led to the death of Judas Iscariot. Being a money lover with good business acumen, he bought a field with the wages of iniquity. But he died with his stomach parts like the intestines coming out for people to see in Jerusalem. As a result, the purchased field became a curse and known as Akel Dama in the Hebrew language or the Field of Blood.

The message revealed that Judas Iscariot was cursed and this explained why he died the death of the cursed because he betrayed the Son of Man (MARK 14:21). It is symbolic of the truth and warning that once a person is cursed by God because of rejection, betrayal and all sorts of evil works against Jesus Christ, the

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Church, Ministers and Christians, the end result is death in sin and corruption; yes even the second death of condemnation to hell fire.

It means to be watchful of your thoughts, words and actions that are against the Church, Ministers and the Christians because of the Lord Jesus Christ and works of the Holy Spirit. Do not bring curses on you and your family and organization and institution because of your worldly intelligence, connections, smartness, and activities against the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not have a unified stance and position against the Lord Jesus Christ and all people who believe in Him (MATTHEW 27:25). Don’t love money and die a shameful and preventable death.

This explained why Judas Iscariot fulfilled scripture because he became a tool of the devil against Jesus Christ. By his action, he fulfilled the scriptures in

PSALM 69:25 – ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’

and

PSALM 109:8 & 9 – Let his days be few, And let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow.

The first prophecy of David revealed the curse of the Lord to cause death and denied him long life on earth. The nature of his death was to make his house and family a reproach and a byword that people would abandon his habitation and make his house and family empty of joy and blessing. It was also to lead and take over his responsibility because of demise. It shows also that the taking over of office by another person places emphasis on the divine office, and therefore must be occupied by another person to make it a blessing to people.

The second prophecy as a sure word of God extended further to generations with children and wife where death of the cursed would make his children fatherless, and wife a widow.

Truly, Judas Iscariot fulfilled this prophecy with his evil nature and betrayal of Jesus. His action was a clear demonstration of the spirit of the devil though the wisdom of God beat the intelligence of the devil. It was on this revelation and premise that Peter addressed the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples and justified the need for the replacement of Judas Iscariot because the divine office cannot be left vacant but occupied by the right person to make complete the number of the twelve (12) disciples, also symbolic of the twelve (12) tribes of Israel.

All that Peter did was to explain the demise of one of Jesus’ notable disciples whose questionable character was known to Jesus but unknown to the majority of the disciples. Truly the word of God is true that all our secret works are open and known to God for exposure, and even reserved for judgment (ECCLESIASTICS 12:14, JEREMIAH 49:10, LUKE 8:17)

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The message here is that the gospel story ended with the disciple Judas Iscariot because of betrayal of Jesus to the Chief priests and death in fulfillment of David’s prophecy and scripture. However, it continued with the other eleven disciples with the replacement process set in motion according to the vision and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The truth of the matter is that we are all born to fulfill prophecies and scripture either in a righteous or evil way. Once we fulfill our divine destiny, we exit the earth. Some people are like Judas Iscariot in our lives of Christians and people, families, ministries, Churches, organizations and institution.

Others are also like Peter who denied Jesus three times but was reinstated and others like the other disciples. Once we play our roles in this divine drama of God as the Head and His Son Jesus Christ as the measuring Rod by the Holy Spirit, we exit the earth and new generations come on to continue with either the good or bad.

ALL THE PROPHECIES ABOUT THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH EVIDENT IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN HIS BIRTH, MINISTRY, DEATH, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION, GREAT COMMISSION AND PROMISE OF THE FATHER ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WERE DECREED PROPHECIES. IT WAS NOT NEGOTIABLE BUT DESIGNED TO BEAT THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS AND HUMAN ACQUAINTANCES.

THE ROLE PLAYED BY JUDAS ISCARIOT WAS PROPHETIC AND DECREED AND THE PROPHECY WAS ACHIEVABLE BECAUASE OF JUDAS’ BAD CHARACTER AND EVIL NATURE. IT WAS NOT BECAUSE GOD PUSHED HIM TO SIN BUT HE WAS MOVED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL AS HIS AGE OLD STRATEGY.

SINCE JUDAS ISCARIOT FULFILLED THE PROPHECIES OF THE BETRAYER IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS, THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ENDED WITH HIS CURSED DEATH BUT CONTINUED WITH THE OTHER DISCIPLES BECAUSE OF CONTINUAL BELIEF IN JESUS AFTER RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD AND ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. THERE WAS THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE ROLE WAS DIVINE AND COULD NOT BE VACANT AS REVEALED BY PETER.

IT MEANS TO BE CAREFUL AS BELIEVERS AND CHRISTIANS TO MAKE THE RESIDENCE AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVE IN US FOR A BLESSING. IF THE SPIRIT OF THE DEVIL TAKES OVER OUR LIVES, MINISTRIES AND THE CHURCH, THEN THE RESULTS WOULD BE DISASTROUS AND NASTY LIKE THE COMING OUT OF THE INTESTINES AND DEMISE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT.

IF JUDAS ISCARIOT COULD NOT END THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH HIS DIABOLIC AGENDA AND DEATH, THEN IT IS BETTER TO BE ON THE SIDE OF JESUS THAN TO BE AGAINST HIM AND BE CURSED. DO NOT TURN AGAINST GOD THROUGH VEHEMENT HATRED AGAINST THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL OF SALVATION AS A BACKSLIDING CHRISTIAN BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL FACILITATE YOUR REPLACEMENT. BE WARNED; BE WISE. 

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 REPLACEMENT PROCESS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; MATTHIAS CHOSEN (3) 

 DIVINE QUALIFICATION 

ACTS 1: 21 & 22 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

The process of qualification and proposal was mentioned by Peter to the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples in the Upper Room. One of them was to be selected to replace Judas Iscariot and be among the twelve disciples with divine mandate to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The main requirement was loyalty of the disciple who had followed the Lord Jesus Christ and the twelve disciples from beginning of ministry through His death and resurrection, and to His ascension in heaven. The position required a disciple who had obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ like the other eleven (11) disciples. Therefore, the application of God’s word was necessary as a guide. We read

PROVERBS 28:7 - Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

The disciple had to fulfill keeping the commandments of God and the Lord Jesus Christ to be holy and righteous on the inside and outside. Therefore, the disciple needed to be disciplined to avert the corruption of this world and be pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father, and has good commendation by the main disciples and other disciples. By this scripture, they were careful not to bring on board a counterfeit and fake disciple who would mess up the integrity and image of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Great Commission, and thus bring shame and disgrace to them.

Peter explained that it was necessary to find someone who had believed in the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ even after His resurrection and ascension, and was among them in Jerusalem at the Upper Room in obedience to His instruction by the Holy Spirit. It had to be somebody who believed in Jesus' resurrection from the dead and was ready to risk his life as a witness. They wanted it the exact way in which the Lord Jesus Christ would choose if He was in human form.

Truly, Jesus’ example of an all-night prayers to the Father to call the disciples to Himself was being emulated by the core disciples (LUKE 6:12 – 16). It was the guiding principle to carefully choose the replacement. It revealed both human and divine perspectives to the replacement process. This was the main agenda with no place for Satan’s manipulation.

Therefore, they were mindful of the LORD’S strong command to Moses and Aaron and the priests as revealed in

LEVITICUS 10:9 – 11 Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and

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between unclean and clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.”

The importance of the LORD’S instruction to Aaron and his sons as priests was the necessity and ability to discern between holy and unholy, clean and unclean, as teachers of the law. They were to assist the Israelites make good decisions in their worship of God and follow all His instructions by the hand of Moses. For this to become a reality, they were to abstain from drinks and wine that made them drunk and forget themselves like Noah (GENESIS 9:21). They were not to be drunk at the presence of the LORD at the tent of meeting because they would die.

It was to maintain God’s holiness in His house by His servants, and also prevent judgments in errors through alcohol. It was also to avert the manipulation of the minds of the people by the devil through drunkenness situations. Therefore all priests obeyed the word of God strictly in fear and awe of Him and His holiness.

It was on this same premise that Peter and the eleven disciples decided to find a disciple whose integrity was unquestionable. The message to the one hundred and twenty disciples was enough to make them know whether they were fully qualified or not for this very important position.

It means to say that the commitment of Peter and the eleven (11) disciples to find a good replacement was reflective of their obedience to the instruction of Jesus Christ and locate in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Christian leaders and Christian Churches are to set qualifications needed for positions to provide vision and leadership. Complete obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ in commitment and faithfulness is the loyalty needed to occupy positions in the Church and leadership among Christians.

It means also that as a qualified witness of the Lord Jesus Christ to people, you have to believe in His resurrection as victory over sin, death, grave and the devil and his demons, and human enemies. You have to believe and preach and teach that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to live forever is an example to all believers as Christians to also obtain eternal life. Every Christian must uphold this truth to qualify for Church positions at all levels.

The message reveals further that unqualified persons such as unbelievers and half – baked Christians must not be selected to head and occupy positions in Churches and Christian organizations because of Christ’s testimony, mission and vision. This explains why the involvement of the Holy Spirit is necessary and inevitable because He is All Knowing and receives from the Lord Jesus Christ (JOHN 16:12 – 15).

PETER AND THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES DID NOT COMPROMISE IN ANYWAY ABOUT THE DIVINE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED AS QUALIFICATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CORE GROUP OF THE TWELVE (12) DISCIPLES. INDEED COMMITMENT, FAITHFULNESS, AND LOYALTY WERE THE KEY INGREDIENTS THAT CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND CHURCHES MUST EMULATE TO HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE ON BOARD AND EDUCATE THE CHURCH OF THE LORD’S REQUIREMNTS.

TRULY, THE QUALIFICATION GIVEN BY PETER SHOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKES FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND GIVES IT TO THE CHURCH FOR A BLESSING. THEREFORE CHURCH POSITION AND LEADERSHIP IS FOR THE MATURE WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT,

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FAITHFULNESS AND LOYALTY, AND HAS OVERCOME THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL AND THIS WORLD. BE WISE BUDDY. 🔓

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 REPLACEMENT PROCESS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; MATTHIAS CHOSEN (4) 

 THE DIVINE PROPOSAL 

ACTS 1:23 – And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

To propose means to carefully think, consider strengths and weaknesses in a prayerful and meditative manner in line with vision, mission and goals of an organization or institution. To propose Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias was the result of observation, prayers and fasting, application of God’s word, and leading of the Holy Spirit.

It is of the heart like the way David proposed to Abigail (1 SAMUEL 25:39) and also Solomon’s proposal to build a temple for the Lord God in accordance with his father’s David’s desire, and choice to build it in his father's stead (1 KINGS 5:5).

The two proposals revealed identified believers who had shown commitment and loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ. It meant that they followed Him and the chosen disciples and knew a lot about Jesus’ ministry, miracles, healings, signs and wonders.

It is highly probable that they were among the Seventy (70) disciples sent on the evangelistic mission (LUKE 10:1). It is also probable that they received commendation from the Lord Jesus Christ. It shows a situation where these two disciples had been trained, and excelled to receive commendations and recommendations from Peter and the other eleven (10) disciples.

These disciples were not novices in the works of Christ but had proven abilities and records to be mission minded for Christ. Their selection was also based on the integrity of Peter and the other ten (10) disciples in accordance with God’s word to choose friends carefully and avert the destructive tendencies of the wicked (PROVERBS 12:26). The message revealed that there are always positive and negative influences depending on association and friendship. Therefore, the proposal of Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias was also in accordance with scriptural qualifications.

Truly Peter’s proposal was not ordinarily but discerned by God’s word and the Holy Spirit. He had a seeking heart to know who qualified for the job and this explains why his action was true and without bias. It confirmed God’s word in

PSALM 119:66 – Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.

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Good judgment means discernment to know what is right from evil. The heart of the Psalmist was to make the right decisions in life because he believed in the commandments of God more than human commandments based on family, tradition, culture, personalities, systems, organizations and institutions.

Truly, there must be qualified Christians for Church positions before the right Christian is chosen for the job. Sometimes the Church position requires a Christian or Christian leader who leaves his or her secular job and be totally and completely committed to the Lord’s work. Sometimes the job needs a Christian who combines Church work with secular job. The truth is that whichever form it takes, the proposed Christians must be associated with the works of Christ and the Holy Spirit and be witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ in believing and practicing the Christian faith.

It is also an act of faith by Church leaders to propose Christians for Church positions with divine mandate; rights and duties and responsibilities. The proposal stage is necessary and inevitable because of leadership authority in the Church instituted by God. However, all discerning and mature Christian leaders will ask for the choice and endorsement of the Holy Spirit.

Truly, our Lord Jesus Christ loves to share His authority with the Church to propose Christians for leadership positions. It reveals spiritual growth and maturity on our part and having the mind of Christ as the thoughts of God. It honours and glorify His name in the Church and among Christians.

Therefore, the word of God is true as we read

PROVERBS 19:21 – There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.Man has the liberty to plan his life, have dreams and visions, but must seek to know the mind and counsels of God because He is All Knowing, seeks our interests and has the power to bring them into pass. It means to have the mind of Christ and the authority of God to implement your plans and actions.

Again, the word of God shows that God is interested in our daily plans and activities. We read

PROVERBS 16:9 – A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

We make plans but we don’t know all the ways and means to achieve them. Many a time, we are unaware of the surprises of life and challenges to divert out attention and focus from the good plans in the will of God. That is why Solomon says that it is proper and better for the Lord to direct our steps. It means to commit your plans and ways to God for His wisdom and directions to achieve set goals and objectives in every activity. It means also that in this hostile world of sin and evil with the devil at work against us, it takes the hand of God to beat the devil and become a winner and an achiever.

It was on this premise that Peter proposed Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias to the one hundred and twenty disciples. It revealed that prayers and fasting, and observation, commendations and recommendations might have taken place before introducing them to the family of believers. In the fulfillment of this righteous requirement, they submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ to

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help them with the Holy Spirit to make a good judgment on the two disciples to replace the demised betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

MAN PROPOSES; GOD DECIDES. IT IS A RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS TO PROPOSE QUALIFIED CHRISTIANS FOR VACANT POSITIONS IN THE CHURCH AND CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT IT IS DONE AFTER SPENDING TIME IN PRAYERS, FASTING, MEDITATION AND COUNSELS.

THE PROPOSAL OF JOSEPH CALLED BARSABAS, WHO WAS SURNAMED JUSTUS, AND MATTHIAS IN THE UPPER ROOM REVEALED THAT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS WERE NOTICED AND APPRECIATED. IT IS A MESSAGE THAT WHEN GOOD, WISE AND RIGHTEOUS DECISIONS ARE MADE BY CHURCH LEADERS, THE HOLY SPIRIT CONFIRMS TO PROVE THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 REPLACEMENT PROCESS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; MATTHIAS CHOSEN (5) 

 THE RIGHTEOUS PRAYER 

ACTS 1:24 & 25 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

The election process was simple but revealed spiritual insight and maturity on the part of Peter and the disciples. Their prayers were not amidst but had agenda and were purpose driven. Peter and the ten (10) disciples and the whole one hundred and twenty (120) disciples prayed to the Lord for wisdom and discernment to know His choice of one of the two proposals.

In the best of their judgment, these two proposed disciples had proven themselves in ministry to be added and complete the leadership composition and governing council of the disciples. They needed to know the Lord’s decision and view and therefore they prayed to Him for direction and approval of one of the two proposed disciples.

It was of a willing accord and filled with humility and simplicity just like the way the Lord Jesus taught them how to pray in life and ministry (MATTHEW 6:9 - 15). They remembered how prayerful Jesus was in ministry and committed His plans and ways to God for approval before implementing them in the power of the Holy Spirit (MARK 1:35, LUKE 5:16, LUKE 6:12).

 THE PRAYER DIRECTION OF THE DISCIPLES 

A// ACKNOWLEDGE GOD AS ALL KNOWING ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF HEARTS OF ALL PEOPLE WHETHER GOOD OR BAD.

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Jesus being God had the ability to fulfill the knowledge of all things including the hearts and minds of people, secret and open works about people as spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah (JEREMIAH 17:10). This was based on the truth that all the words of the Lord Jesus Christ had been fulfilled as evident in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. It affirmed their faith in Jesus Christ to deliver on His promises all the time.

If Christian leaders and Churches will acknowledge God in all their ways in Christ, the Holy Spirit will lead them to confirm the right Church leaders to build and grow His Church. It means to trust and obey God beyond our human understanding, acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct us with His Spirit and wisdom as Christians (PROVERBS 3:5 & 6).

B// ASKED GOD FOR HIS CHOSEN AND PREFERRED ONE AMONG THE TWO DISCIPLES

The prayer direction of the disciples revealed absolute trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to endorse the candidacy of one of these two disciples. On their part, they had done their best to nominate the two disciples but the decision of the Lord Jesus Christ was to be accepted and sustained.

If Christian leaders and the Church would ask for the Lord’s direction to confirm proposed nominees, the Holy Spirit will direct us to have the right Christian leaders in board. The devil also will not be able to bring and infiltrate his agents into Christian leaderships and Churches.

C// ASKED GOD FOR THE CHOSEN ONE WHO WOULD PERFORM BETTER THAN THE BETRAYER, JUDAS ISCARIOT AND HELP TO ACHIEVE THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

The prayer direction of the disciples showed that they were mission minded and they needed a replacement of more than the calibre of the demised Judas Iscariot. They needed somebody who would be an asset and bring righteous results to the kingdom of God, and not a liability who would become like or worse than Judas Iscariot.

Therefore, they asked the Lord to confirm one of the two disciples who would committed and faithful in ministry like the other eleven (11) disciples. Already, the proposed disciples, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias had proven themselves in ministry as commended by Peter to the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples in the Upper Room. It is a message that these two disciples were aware of the enormous responsibilities on them and great expectation to deliver righteous results more than Judas Iscariot.

If Christian leaders and the Church would pray and ask for the Lord's confirmation of proposed Christian leaders, the right people will be in the helm of affairs as the chosen of the Lord Jesus Christ to produce righteous results.

These prayer directions with sincere hearts and right motives to the cause of Jesus Christ and His gospel of eternal salvation are a joy to God. We read

PROVERBS 15:8 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

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Righteousness play a key role to hearing and answering of prayers by God. The voice and words of a righteous person in righteousness to God in prayer is His delight. This same prayer answering God does not encourage and accommodate the prayers of the wicked and therefore the sinner. As His word reveals, such prayers from the wicked are abominations to Him. This is important to God because His nature is holy and He acts on His righteous word given to His people.

It means to say that the prayers of Peter, ten (10) disciples and the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples, including the two proposers were righteous and acceptable to God as a sweet smelling fragrance and His delight. For them to commit this important agenda to the Lord meant that they had absolute trust in Him to deliver.

This was a delight to God. Besides, it revealed that the disciples were ready to fulfill all righteousness without leaving no stone unturned. It revealed also that they had the Spirit if Jesus Christ to obey all righteousness as observed early in ministry during His water baptism (MATTHEW 3:15).

Truly, the prayer of Peter and the other disciples was made possible by the wisdom of God to propose these two disciples. It made them focused and straight forward with their words without using vain words as taught by Jesus in ministry (MATTHEW 6:7).

It means to pray on proposed people for leadership positions and situations in life, ministry and the Church to know the Lord's answer. It is better to have righteous desires and trust God to favour us in them than to pray without focus and use vain words. Yes have prayer topics and pray accordingly so that you will know the Lord's will for each of them. Hallelujah!

If Peter and the other disciples demonstrated the wisdom of God in Christ to pray this kind of prayer, then we have every righteous reason and no excuse to show our faith in Christ to also pray for the right Christian leaders in life, ministry and Church in line with Christ’s mission and vision.

THE DISCIPLES PRAYED TO THE LORD IN EXPRESSION OF THEIR BELIEF IN HIM TO BRING THE RIGHT PERSON ON BOARD TO REPLACE THE DEMISED JUDAS ISCARIOT. THIS WAS A RIGHTEOUS PRAYER TO KNOW GOD’S WILL TO HAVE A FULL TEAM IN PLACE BECAUSE OF THE FULFILLMENT OF THE DECREED PROPHECY AND TRANSGRESSION OF DEMISED JUDAS ISCARIOT.

THE PRAYER DIRECTION ACKNOWLEDGED THE LORD OF KNOWING THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF ALL PEOPLE WHERE CHOICE IS GOOD AND RIGHTEOUS WITHOUT DEFECT. TRULY, WITHOUT VAIN WORDS, THEY ASKED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR HIS PREFERRED CHOICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS MISSION AND VISION.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT ALL CHRISTIAN LEADERS MUST LEAD CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES TO PRAY ON FOCUSED TOPICS THAT NEEDS THE LORD'S ANSWER AND DIRECTION TO BUILD AND GROW HIS CHURCH AND EXPAND MINISTRIES. YES DON’T JUST PROPOSE ANS DECIDE BUT PRAY TO KNOW THE MIND OF GOD IN CHRIST AS REVEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

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REMEMBER THAT MINISTRIES AND CHURCHES MUST HAVE HOLY SPIRIT FILLED CHRISTIANS AND LEADERS AS LABOURERS IN THE LORD'S VINEYARD (MATTHEW 9:37 & 38). YES THE KINGDOM OF GOD NEEDS PEOPLE AND LEADERS AS ASSETS TO MAKE PROFITS, AND NOT PEOPLE AND LEADERS AS LIABILITIES TO CAUSE LOSS AND ASTRAY OF CHRISTIANS. BE WISE BUDDY.

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 REPLACEMENT PROCESS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; MATTHIAS CHOSEN (6) 

 ELECTION TIME; FAITH WORKS 

ACTS 1:26 - And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The election process at that era was a very simple one but revealed God’s mighty power to choose people to do His will. All the Old Testament and New Testament practices of casting lots to select people revealed God’s favour at work. They were believed and seen as acts of God and not under the influence of men. It involved the customs and traditions of the Israelites tied to their worship of God.

We have the example of Joshua using casting of lot to determine the tribe, family, family head and person who took the accused thing (JOSHUA 7:13 -15). Truly, this produced the expected results with the selection of the the tribe of Judah and the Zarhites family led to scrutiny of men one after the other, and the family head Zabdi was chosen. Below Zabdi was Carmi whose son Achan was chosen and pronounced guilty which he confessed to have taken the accursed things. The process and procedure was the selection of the tribe of Judah down to family head and fathers to settle on Achan (JOSHUA 7:16 - 20).

Another example in the Old Testament about casting lot was part of the Messianic prophecy of Jesus as written in

PSALM 22:18 - They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

The Psalmist prophesied about the Messiah that His garments would be divided among people and the process would be casting lots. Truly this Messianic prophecy was fulfilled during the crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha. The Roman soldiers stripped Him of His garment and crucified Him on the cross. We read

MATTHEW 27:35 - Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

The Psalmist prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman soldiers divided the garment and clothing of Jesus and cast lots as to who should receive what piece and size for himself. It looked ordinary but symbolic of spiritual

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blessings that were observed about Jesus. Usually, no Roman soldier would take a piece of clothing or all the garment and clothing of a person being crucified. It meant that they saw something different and powerful about Jesus.

This explains why the bible says in

PROVERB 16:33 – The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

To cast lot is a human execution of a process to find an answer and solution to a problem but its outcome is of the Lord and divine. It means that God comes into the situation to get the best results if it is a righteous cause to honour and glorify God.

It was an election process of the Israelites over the years that even priests and workers in the Lord's temple were selected to come and serve the Lord. Their increasing numbers required that a stable and decent way of management of the situation was in place. We read

NEHEMIAH 10:34 - We cast lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for bringing the wood offering into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at the appointed times year by year, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God as it is written in the Law.

Nehemiah made sure that the house of God maintained a righteous order of selected priests, Levites and the people to bring wood offering and offer spiritual services in appointed times of the year in accordance with religious obligations of the law.

The law required that priests be divided by lot especially when their numbers were big as pertained between the majority of sons as leaders with sixteen (16) heads for Eleazar and minority of sons as leaders of Ahimelech of Ithamar with eight (8) heads (1 CHRONICLES 24:3 – 5). Similarly musicians were instructed in the house of the Lord by lot to sing, praise and worship God by David. Special mention reveals some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun who prophesied with harps, stringed instruments and cymbals (1 CHRONICLES 25:1 – 7 & 8 – 31). Besides, gate keepers were appointed to serve by lot in the house of the Lord just like their brethren the Levites and the priests (1 CHRONICLES 26:12 & 13).

The election process with Israel through the lot system produced righteous results and ensured peace and sanity in both the religious and political circles and arena. It resolved complex and volatile situations as confirmed by God’s word in

PROVERBS 18:17 & 18 – The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

In the judgment of volatile situations and contentions, the first person to plead his cause seemed to be right until the second person is also heard and the two cross examined. In Israel, lots were cast with belief in God to make the outcome righteous and the results were accepted by stakeholders as the will of God. It resulted in ceasing contentious and averted shedding blood as is the case with judicial decisions by Judges of the courts in modern day judicial systems.

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It was on this belief, understanding and premise that Peter and the ten (10) disciples cast lot before God and the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples about which of the two proposed disciples should replace demised Judas Iscariot. It was a physical activity but revealed a high spiritual activity with the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, show of Himself to them and given messages and command, and finally ascension to heaven before them on the Mount of Galilee.

Faith works especially when there has been investment of prayer and trust in God to deliver. Therefore, when they cast lots, it fell on Matthias as the chosen one to replace demised Judas Iscariot. He was to continue in the line of ministry as a better candidate for the job and one of Jesus’ twelve (12) disciples. It means to say that when the Lord makes a decision and a choice, it is to be acknowledged and respected. The other nominee, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus was not chosen; not because he was unfit for the job because he had proven himself in ministry. It was because Matthias was the favoured of the Lord and thus was numbered among the twelve (12).

This was the replacement process that was prophetic and scriptural to make the number of Jesus’ disciples complete, and prepared the stage for the baptism of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus. Truly, the disciples put their house in order before the Lord moved mightily in their midst. It means to say that divine order cannot be changed because it is designed to be a blessing through the fulfillment of God’s will in our lives, ministries and the Church. This made the replacement process necessary to bring on board Matthias. It means to say also that when divine order and roles are acknowledged and promoted in our lives, ministries and the Church, then the unity of the brethren commands the blessing.

This was the election process until the disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Church. Since then, the Holy Spirit has been in the helm of affairs to choose leaders in the Church for the work of the ministry as evident in the ministries of Paul and Barnabas. We read

ACTS 13:1 – 4 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Preaching in Cyprus So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

The Antioch Church recorded prophets and teachers and other disciples who prayed and fasted and the Holy Spirit chose Paul and Barnabas from among other disciples for ministry to the Gentile world. It was not by proposal for them to become nominees like Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus and Matthias but divinely chosen in the perfect will of God.

It means to say that the Holy Spirit as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ chooses and confirms Christians and leaders in the Church in fulfillment of His mission and vision. Therefore, Church leaders must encourage and promote the selection of Christians to play key roles in the Church, Christian organizations, institutions and even for social and political offices.

THE CASTING OF LOTS WAS THE ELECTION PROCESS FOR THE ISRAELITES AS IT WAS WITH THE ELECTION OF MATTHIAS TO JOIN THE FOLD OF JESUS’ TWELVE DISCIPLES. IT WAS A SIMPLE

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PROCESS BUT REVEALED THE POWER AND INFLUENCE OF GOD TO CHOOSE PEOPLE TO BE IN SERVICE UNTO HIM AND TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE. IT CREATED AND FACILITATED AN ATMOSPHERE OF PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY IN THE NATION OF ISRAEL.

IT MEANS NOT TO SEE IT MAINLY IN THE LIGHT OF HUMAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY AS AN ACT OF GOD AND THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS TO CHOOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD FULFILL HIS MISSION AND VISION.

IN THIS DISPENSATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE IS IN CHARGE IN THE DETERMINATION OF CHRISTIANS TO BECOME LEADERS OF CHURCHES, AND OTHER CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS. IF HE SAYS WE SHOULD GO THE WAY OF THE LOT SYSTEM, AND WE OBEY, THE RESULTS WOULD BE RIGHTEOUS. BE WISE BUDDY. 

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BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1)

THE KAIROS TIME OF GOD; SPIRITUAL STATE

The readiness of the disciples was tested in their unity and patience in obedience to the Holy Spirit instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ. They prayed, encouraged themselves with Christ’s resurrection and appearances, read and exhorted themselves with the scriptures, and protected themselves from their enemies. Besides, they discerned to fill the vacuum created with the betrayal and demise of John the Baptist. Therefore, the Holy Spirit chose Matthias over Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus.

The obedience and action of the disciples with Jesus’ instruction to be in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father was as a result of revelation and understanding. Jesus had earlier mentioned to them that His return to the Father was inevitable, necessary and a blessing. We read

JOHN 16:7 – Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus revealed to the disciples that His departure to heaven is necessary to make the Holy Spirit come and do His work in our lives, ministries and the Church. He promised the disciples further that He would send the Holy Spirit to them and make sure that they have the power always to live His life, remember His teachings, and perform His works in ministry and the Church. Since He was not going to be in the flesh with them forever, it was necessary that the Holy Spirit came to sustain His works and achievements in them for a blessing to the world.

On this revelation, the disciples stayed together with one accord in the Upper Room; and were in a good spiritual state, and in readiness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They did not spend their energy and time in sinful and worldly activities as some Christians do after the remembrance and celebration of Easter every year. Yes they were spiritual because they believed in the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. We read

ACTS 2:1 – When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

God watched them in these seemingly silent days just like the period of Jesus' arrest, trials, beatings and whippings in Pilate’s praetorian, carrying the cross to Golgotha, crucifixion, and burial until His resurrection

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from the dead. The Lord’s visitation was inevitable but not disclosed by Jesus. The good news is that all the disciples were with one accord in one place to show a sense of unity and purpose.

They were able to discern the times of God to be spiritual unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesus rebuked. We read

MATTHEW 16:2 & 3 - He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.

They were able to determine clear weather from bad weather, and night from day but these same people could not discern the times and seasons of God. They were not spiritual and this was a show symbolism of religious people who are critical of the works of people, and faith works of the Church. But they are always ignorant and blind to the times and seasons of God.

Thank God that the disciples of Jesus Christ discerned correctly and displayed a sense of unity, purpose and expectation in the Upper Room. They were spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically ready at the time of the Lord’s visitation. It showed that it took some time for them to experience the kairos moment of God. Their understanding and revelation resulted in patience to wait and experience the Lord’s visitation beyond the chronos and calendar time.

It means also that when the day of Pentecost had fully come, their spiritual state was righteous above the spiritual state of the Israelites during the days of the Prophet Hosea. We read

HOSEA 7:1 & 2 – “When I would have healed Israel, Then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, And the wickedness of Samaria. For they have committed fraud; A thief comes in; A band of robbers takes spoil outside. They do not consider in their hearts That I remember all their wickedness; Now their own deeds have surrounded them; They are before My face.

God’s righteous intention was to bless and heal the Israelites of their state of captivity and suffering in His time. The sorrowful aspect of it was that they were not prepared spiritually because of their sins of corruption, lies, deceit, arrogance, pride, formication, adultery, stealing, robbery, killings and murder which were associated with the worship of idols and gods of the other nations.

They permitted and committed all these sins secretly and openly as if life was in their hands. In the words of the Prophet Hosea, God was a witness to all their sins and they were surrounded by their own sins; like a big family of sinful people. God remembered all their sins because it was continuous with repentance and remorse. As He put it, these sins were continually before His face.

The message reveals that we must be discerning to know the kairos time of God and be prepared spiritually to be in a good spiritual state. We are to hold tight the promises of God in Christ because the opportune time of God’s blessing is secret and sovereign to Him. We are not to be in a bad spiritual state like description of the Israelites in the days of the Prophet Hosea because we are Christians and have the Holy Spirit in us. Christians are to backslide into sin and enjoy it without repentance and remorse and even fall into the state of apostasy and openly crucify the Son of God again (HEBREWS 6:4 – 6).

We are to be prayerful in and outside the Church. Read, meditate, understand and perform the word of God in Christ, and listen and obey the instructions and leading of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!

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THE CHRONOS CALENDAR OF HUMANITY MUST BE SUBMISSIVE TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE KAIROS TIME OF GOD IN CHRIST AND WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME, ALL THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES HAD A SENSE OF UNITY, PURPOSE AND EXPECTATION. WITH THE LEADERSHIP PROWESS OF PETER, THEY CONGREGATED AT ONE PLACE TO DISCERN THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THEY WERE ALL BELIEVERS IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND PROMISE OF THE FATHER TO BE EMPOWERED SPIRITUALLY FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION. ALSO THEIR HIGH LEVEL OF HUMILITY, SUBMISSIVENESS AND OBEDIENCE WAS EVIDENT IN THE RESULT OF THEIR GATHERING AT ONE PLACE AND LOCATION MAINLY IN FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYERS, MEDITATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT. THEY DID NOT WANT TO SHOW DISBELIEF LIKE THOMAS WHO MISSED JESUS' FIRST APPEARANCE AND VISITATION AFTER RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. IT WAS A MESSAGE THAT THEY HAD LEARNT OBEDIENCE TO THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

IT MEANS NOT TO SPEND OUR TIME IN SINFUL AND WORLDLY THINGS AND PRACTICES WHEN AS CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH, WE SHOULD BE SPIRITUAL AND DISCERNING TO EXPERIENCE THE KAIROS MOMENTS OF GOD. IF YOU ARE TO BENEFIT SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTERS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WE MUST BE PREPARED AND READY ANY DAY AND TIME BECAUSE THE FULL AND OPPORTUNE DAY OF GOD IS HIS SECRET AND SOVEREIGN DECISION. THEREFORE, LET US HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES IN THE UPPER ROOM TO BE PREPARED SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY, PATIENT AND READY ALL THE TIME. AMEN!

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BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2)

 COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

ACTS 2:2 – And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

In the right spiritual atmosphere of the disciples, the Holy Spirit came from heaven and filled the whole house This was the kairos moment of God and the disciples were prepared and ready for this promised heavenly experience. It means that the Holy Spirit was in heaven before He came and dwelt permanently in the disciples. It was also the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples for spiritual empowerment and divine authority to fulfill the Great Commission.

The bible describes the scene as a sudden sound from heaven which they had never heard before and it was like a rushing mighty wind. If you have ever been at the seashore before, you would be familiar with the wind blowing and kind of wheezing sound. During the raining season, there is always windy rainfall where the rushing wind precedes a light or heavy rainfall. Just as a windy situation is experienced from a normal

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weather, likewise they experienced the new level of God’s presence among them as totally and completely different from other meeting days in the Upper Room.

Therefore, the presence of the Holy Spirit was first discerned and identified with a sudden sound from heaven. It sounded heavenly in their ears and filled the whole house for all the disciples to experience Him. Truly, it signified change of the spiritual atmosphere and authority where the Holy Spirit was fully in charge of the disciples to do His work.

It fulfilled the prophecy of ISAIAH that the reign of righteousness must be preceded by the pouring of the Spirit from on high to turn and change all negativities to positives in the affairs of humanity (ISAIAH 32:15). The prophecy of ISAIAH revealed that the pouring of the Spirit of God would cause the wilderness to become a fruitful field and then change completely to become a forest. It revealed further of dry and barren situation that receives the rainfall of God to transform it into abundance. It revealed the Spirit’s transformation of a cursed situation into a blessed situation as in ISAIAH 32:1 - 20.

It meant that the coming of the Holy Spirit was to equip the disciples with the power of God in Christ to cause the reign of Jesus Christ in the Church and in the affairs of humanity.

THE KAIROS TIMING OF GOD IN LINE WITH JESUS’ PROMISE OF THE POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS UNPRECEDENTED. IT WAS SUDDEN BUT NOT BEYOND THE PREPARATION AND EXPECTATION OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES.

THE WHOLE HOUSE WAS FILLED AND INCLUDED THE ASSEMBLY AND EVEN THOSE WHO LIVED AROUND THEM. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS IN THE FORM OF A STRONG MIGHTY WIND THAT PERMEATED THE GATHERING AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE DISCIPLES. THEIR SITTING POSITION WAS A SIGN OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION AND READINESS TO RECEIVE UNLIKE A STANDING POSITION TO PRAY.THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY WAS THE HOPE OF NEW AND MIGHTY THINGS IN CHRIST TO HAPPEN AS REVEALED IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH. IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH TO MANIFEST THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

 PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DISCIPLES 

ACTS 2:3 & 4 – Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The physical evidence of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the Upper Room was in the form of fire. With their physical eyes, they saw fire on the heads of all the disciples which signified the presence of God. It was like the burning bush that Moses encountered in the wilderness for it did not burn out or burned him. The unique thing about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is that each disciple present in the Upper Room had his or her own fire burning on the head. It means to say that the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for the Church but every Christian has the Holy Spirit with his or her fire to live and preach and serve in the Lord's Vineyard.

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The bible reveals that all the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and this is important to the Christian faith. It means that this divine experience was the fulfillment of the promise and prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ before His ascension into heaven. To be filled with the Holy Spirit means also that they were empowered and moved by the Holy Spirit beyond the human and ordinary abilities.

They were then inspired to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance and ability. It means that the words they spoke were not of their own like having a conversation with people on worldly things and situations. Rather, they spoke about the wondrous works of God in that spiritually charged atmosphere. To speak in other tongues means to speak in the languages of people other than their known languages.

This divine experience was not given details by Jesus but when they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they spoke easily in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. It was also the fulfillment of the prophecy of John the Baptist about the baptism of fire by the Messiah. We read

MATTHEW 3:11 & 12 – I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

John the Baptist spoke by revelation that the ministry of the Messiah would be greater than his ministry of repentance through baptism by water. It revealed that the ministry of the Messiah would be associated with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. It revealed a higher and more authoritative ministry of the Messiah as Jesus than that of John the Baptist.

The nature of the Messiah’s ministry would be to clean His threshing floor and gather and separate the chaff from the wheat. He would put the wheat into the barn but burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. It signified the power and authority of the ministry of Jesus Christ to clean completely the house of God, that is the temple, and cause a distinction between the obedient and righteous from the disobedient and unrighteous. It revealed further that He would have the authority to judge and condemn people unto destruction in hell fire.

The coming of the Holy Spirit which signified tongues of fire on their heads was the fulfillment of the prophecy of John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit was seen as tongues of fire to reveal the presence of God in a pure state for a blessing to the Church and to all humanity.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ITS PHYSICAL EVIDENCE WAS NOT A ONE BALL FIRE EXPERIENCE ON ALL THE DISCIPLES AS IT WAS THE SIGHT OF THE BURNING BUSH TO MOSES. EACH OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES HAD THE SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON HIM/HER AND SIGNIFIES THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM IS ON INDIVIDUAL BASIS EVEN IF IT IS AT THE CHURCH LEVEL OR CORPORATE ENTITY. IT REVEALED ALSO THE PURITY OF GOD’S PRESENCE WITH THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN CHARGE, ALL HUMAN ELEMENTS ARE MADE SUBJECTED TO GOD IN CHRIST AND SPIRITUAL ABILITIES ARE GIVEN TO SPEAK THE WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD. IN THIS CONTEXT ABOUT THE DISCIPLES, THE HOLY SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE AS ABILITIES

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TO SPEAK IN OTHER PEOPLES LANGUAGES FOR WIDESPREAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKS OF GOD.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES INTO PEOPLES LIVES AND SITUATIONS, MINISTRIES AND THE CHURCH, IT BRINGS AUTHORITY, FRESHNESS, AND ABILITIES TO DO NEW THINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR BLESSINGS. WITH THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, IT IS ALWAYS A SIGN OF BLESSING AND NEVER A CURSE. HALLELUJAH!  

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BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (3)

THE ANOINTING ATTRACTS

ACTS 2:5 & 6 – And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was experienced after the celebration of Pentecost and is known to be the 50th day. The bible records that devout Jews from other nations were in Jerusalem because of the celebration of Pentecost. They became part of the baptism of the Holy Spirit experience. It revealed how religious the Israelites were and their presence in Jerusalem that celebrated the Passover. They were described as holy people and therefore God allowed them to come to the knowledge of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Yes the anointing attracts mostly the right people for a blessing as well as curious people for knowledge and decision making. They joined the multitude who rushed to the location of the disciples because of the heavenly sound and noise of tongues speaking that portrayed all the spoken languages of the people. Just imagine one hundred and twenty (120) disciples speaking the languages of the multitude; for it was the manifestation of the power of God as Jesus Christ told the disciples before His departure to heaven.

It was so true to be disputed because the more people got closer to the disciples, the more they heard them speak their own languages. Beyond that they spoke of the wonderful works of God in Christ concerning His ministry, death, resurrection, ascension and promises of the Father and workings of the Holy Spirit.

The multitude benefitted from the word of God in

PSALMS 102:13 – You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.

It was a revelation of God’s mercy and favour and sovereignty towards people who have been promised a blessing. It revealed the kairos moments of God in the affairs of humanity to experience His blessing and will in their lives.

This was the blessing encounter of the multitude that recorded holy and devout Jews in Jerusalem and also from near and far cities and nations. It was God given opportunity for them to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit with universal benefits to the world. It was through the sound of the mighty rushing wind and

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speaking in tongues aloud by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that attracted the multitude. Truly, the anointing attracts because of the release of God’s favour to be blessed at the kairos time of God.

The bible describes the scenario as confusing for the multitude but not for the disciples because the former was not filled by the Holy Spirit, but the latter was filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is a message that the baptism and manifestations of the Holy Spirit can only be understood by Christians and the Church unlike religious people and unbelievers without the Holy Spirit. It means for the Church to continue and believe and focused in the baptism and manifestations of the Holy Spirit for the achievement of righteous results as it was on the day of Pentecost.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ATTRACTS ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE TO YOU BECAUSE OF ASSOCIATED GIFTS NEEDED IN MINISTRY, CHURCH AND SERVICE IN THE LORD'S VINEYARD.

THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ATTRACTS PEOPLE AS EVIDENT IN THE MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE INCLUDING DEVOUT JEWS. IT SIGNIFIED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE JEWS AS JESUS CHRIST PROMISED THE DISCIPLES. IT REVEALED THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND MERCY AND FAVOUR TO PUBLICIZE THIS SPIRITUAL EVENT THROUGH THE SOUND OF THE MIGHTY RUSHING WIND AND TONGUES SPEAKING BECAUSE OF ITS DIVINE PURPOSE TO PREACH JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD.

IT REVEALS THAT ONLY CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH CAN ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PREACH AND REVEAL JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD UNLIKE SINNERS AND UNBELIEVERS. IT MEANS TO BE FOCUSED AND BENEFIT FROM THE PROMISES OF GOD IN CHRIST DURING THE KARIOS MOEMENTS. BE WISE BUDDY.

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 BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (4) 

 THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GIFTS OF TONGUES SPEAKING AND INTERPRETATION 

ACTS 2:7 - 11 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

The multitude was amazed and greatly surprised about the words of the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples. It showed in their facial expression because they witnesses to this divine activity. The disciples were indeed filled with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues; that is other languages. This was the work of God in Christ to make the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ known to all people through divine empowerment. It served a divine purpose according to the kairos time of God in the affairs of humanity. This was however strange to the multitude because they knew the background of the disciples was Galileans but they heard them speak in their own languages.

It meant that the multitude consisted of devout Jews and converted non – Jews as Proselytes who were present in Jerusalem as a result of the celebrated Passover and non – Jews as a result of trade and business activities.

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The wisdom of God was that the accomplished work of eternal salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ had to benefit all peoples of different languages, tribes, nations and countries. Therefore, the Holy Spirit moved the disciples to speak in their languages for their understanding of the works of God.

The multitude was surprised to hear the disciples speak languages of the Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs. All this observation was as a result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It was a revelation of the universality of the work of the Holy Spirit all over the world. It revealed also that the gospel of Jesus Christ would be preached and heard in all languages of the world. It revealed that ordinary people can be filled with the Holy Spirit and be used to do and accomplish extra ordinary things.

This was a big testimony because the multitude heard them speak in their own languages about the wonderful works of God. The disciples were heard to be praising God and not cursing God. Besides, the things they spoke about God was true and centred on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and finished work on the cross of Calvary.

It marked one of the greatest evangelism to reveal Jesus Christ to the multitude through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and tongues speaking and interpretation of tongues. It is a message that the baptism of the Holy Spirit would open the door for all Christians to preach, teach and write the gospel of Jesus Christ in all languages of the world for the understanding and belief of people. Hallelujah!

It connects to the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross where the Roman soldiers put a banner with the inscription: King of the Jews. This was under the hand of Pilate who insisted and authorized it to be maintained. It is written in the bible that this inscription and description was written in the three (3) major languages of Hebrew, Greek and Latin at that time. It means that all Hebrews and non – Hebrews present in Jerusalem and at Golgotha were able to read the written inscription and description of Jesus’ title and nature and personality. It was prophetic and an announcement to the world of the Kingship and authority of Jesus Christ to grant eternal salvation and life through His death and resurrection.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was therefore an extension of the determined purpose of God to showcase His Son Jesus Christ to the world. About sixteen (16) names of region, cities and towns and villages were mentioned about the origins of people who constituted the multitude who had the opportunity to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples of Jesus Christ.

Truly, all over the world through the works of earlier Apostles and other workers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and generational works of the Church by the Holy Spirit and baptism of the Holy Spirit of new believers as Christians, the baptism of the Holy Spirit continues to prove the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit in tongue speaking and interpretation evidenced on the day of Pentecost continues to grow the Church from strength to strength of which you and I are members and the Body of Christ. If a believer or a Church has experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is normal and expected to speak and interpret tongues (1 CORINTHIANS 14:13) and perform righteous works to honour and glorify God in Christ by the Holy Spirit. You have to be wise buddy because we need to understand the tongues and edify the Church (1 CORINTHIANS 14:5) except when it is spoken by inspiration to God and for self - edification (1 CORINTHIANS 14:2 & 14:4).

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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GIFTS OF TONGUES SPEAKING AND INTERPRETATION ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. JUST AS IT ANNOUNCED TO THE WHOLE WORLD ABOUT THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD IN CHRIST, ALL CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH MUST CONTINUE TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO ENABLE SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT FOR SERVICE IN THE LORD'S VINEYARD. TONGUES SPEAKING AND INTERPRETATION THAT HONOUR AND GLORIFY GOD IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MUST BE ENCOURAGED UNLIKE TONGUES SPEAKING AND INTERPRETATION THAT CURSE THE ETERNAL WORK OF GOD IN JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD.

TRULY, FOR ALL COUNTRIES AND NATIONS OF THE WORLD TO HEAR AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH GIFTS OF TONGUES SPEAKING AND INTERPRETATION MUST BE REAL AND ACTIVE TO FULFILL THE HEAVENLY MISSION AND VISION. AMEN AND BE WISE BUDDY. 

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 THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE  

ACTS 2:12 & 13 - So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Two (2) groups of people constituted the multitude who were attracted by the noise of the mighty rushing wind and tongues speaking of the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples. They had witnessed the power of God and awakened to righteousness in the words of the disciples through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The bible reports that the multitude was amazed and perplexed at the hearing of the mighty works of God through the gift of interpretation of tongues.

The first group of people believed in silence and reflected on the spoken words of the disciples about the greatness and wonders of God in their own languages. In their amazement, they treaded cautiously and only asked what this meant to the spiritual atmosphere and benefits to be derived. Is it that God’s word of promised salvation by the Prophets and the scriptures has been fulfilled? What was God doing this time round?

They did not have all the answers and truths but they did not condemn God’s move through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. All they knew was that they were disciples of Jesus Christ who was crucified by the Jews and their leaders and the Roman Authorities and now strangely speak in other tongues understood in their own languages.

It means to keep silent and observe matters and situations with little or no understanding because knowledge of the truth can either favour or condemn you. The period of silence is that of meditation and reflection that the Holy Spirit needs to confirm or communicate God’s word to us. Therefore Christians and other groups of people who lack understanding of spiritual moves and events of God in Christ and the Holy Spirit must be silent or speak few words to avoid the danger of sinning and condemnation (PROVERBS 10:19b).

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During the trials of Jesus before the religious leaders and the Sanhedrin, He was silent most of the time and only spoke few words especially under oath by the high priest (MATTHEW 26:63). We are to learn from the approach of our Lord Jesus Christ to avert following the crowd to sin. This was the wise approach of the group of curious people who constituted part of the multitude.

The second group of people who constituted the multitude had a different heart and motive for being present there. They mocked the disciples and laughed about the way they spoke in tongues. Even though they heard about the wonderful works of God in Christ from the mouths of the disciples, they did not become spiritual but worldly in nature. They associated the disciples with drunkenness of new wine, from fresh fruits and vine, without seeing God in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It is very clear that this group of people was never disciples of Jesus Christ and therefore did not believe in His works and even much more promises. It is symbolic of unbelievers and sinners who are manipulated by the devil against the works of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They are used either consciously or unconsciously against the Church, ministers and Christians.

It has been noted that many people speak and insult Christians on the basis of their Holy Spirit inspired thoughts, words and works without understanding to fulfill scripture (PROVERBS 10:19a). Indeed, the attitude of the other group of unbelievers and sinners was in commensurate with the attitude of the thief crucified alongside Jesus who insulted and condemned Him (LUKE 23:39). This is what happens when people lose focus of spirituality and cling to the life of self - righteousness.

Truly, the presence and words of the multitude revealed two (2) dispositions of hearts for belief and unbelief, and also different spiritual levels towards God and the other, manipulated by the devil. The good news is that the disciples were oblivious and not moved by the words of the unbelievers and sinners because they were filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It means to say that if we lose focus with the Holy Spirit, then we can be affected by the negative words of people. Therefore, we must be filled, inspired, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit all the time for a blessing.

It fulfills the prophecy of Simeon the righteous man about Jesus in the rising and falling of people, and discerning of hearts by the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ during His out – dooring in the temple (LUKE 2:34 & 35). This prophetic word was also fulfilled in the lives of the multitude during baptism of the Holy Spirit experience.

This explains why the word of God is very sharp and accurate and powerful to achieve desired results according to the purposes of God. According to the commentary of the New King James version of the bible, It is the standard of measurement of our actions and inactions and penetrates the inmost parts of a person. It distinguishes what is spiritual and what is natural, and also the thoughts (reflections) and intents (insights) of a person. The word of God exposes the natural and spiritual motivations of a believer’s heart.

If the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ has a deeper revelation of the Christian’s heart, then the exposure of the unbeliever and sinner’s heart is true because of contrary beliefs and directions. Since the baptism of the Holy Spirit was the word of Jesus Christ to the disciples, then it distinguished and discerned the hearts of the multitude as explained already. It means to be silent and reflective, and also speak boldly in confidence of the Christian faith in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.

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THE CHRISTIAN FAITH ALWAYS REVEALS THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF PEOPLE TO DETERMINE THEIR BELIEF AND UNBELIEF. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED TWO HEARTS OF PEOPLE: THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS, GOOD AND BAD MOTIVES, SPIRITUALIRY AND WORLDLY. IT MARKED THE EXPOSURE OF THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SUCH AS BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IT REVEALED A GROUP AND HEARTS OF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE TO KNOW ALL TRUTHS AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS GROUP WHOSE HEARTS SHOWED UNBELIEF AND MANIPULATION OF THE DEVIL.

IT MEANS TO BE FILLED AND LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS FULFILLED PROPHECY ANS SCRIPTURE TO PROVE THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD IN CHRIST AND PREPARE ALL CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES ADEQUATELY AND TIMELY IN THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. BE WISE BUDDY. 🕝 🕰 🛁 🎂 🍿 🍟 🍝 🚃 🚉 🚲 🚋 🚌 🚎 🚛 🚒 🚌 🚍 🚓 🚔 🚙 🚑 🚐 ✈ 🛫 🛩 🚥

🚦 ✈ 🛬 🚁 🛳 🚤 🚣 ⛵

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PETER DEFENDED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1)

KNOW AND DEFEND THE INTEGRITY OF CHRISTIANS

ACTS 2:14 & 15 - But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Peter emerged to become the leader of the twelve disciples and therefore the first leader of the Church birthed by the Holy Spirit. He stood up boldly and confidently and defended the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an act of God promised by the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a public message and announcement to explain to the divided multitude whose presence was necessary and an opportunity to know the reason of this move of God.

It was also an opportunity to break the yeast and influence of the group of people who concluded that the disciples of Jesus Christ were drunk with new wine and therefore spoke carelessly. This could not be associated with a typical and spiritual Jew to be drunk at the third hour which was 9am in the morning and more importantly the hour of prayer. Peter realized that the gospel truth had to be told and explained before they influenced the whole multitude negatively against them.

It revealed that Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit to stand and address the multitude beyond physical reasoning and intelligence. It means to say that the Holy Spirit defends the course of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of Christians, ministries of the Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers (Five fold ministry) and all Christians.

It bore the semblance of the Lord Jesus Christ who defended the disciples about not fasting the way John the Baptist’s disciples fasted often with the Pharisees. The answer of Jesus to the disciples of John the Baptist was that the presence of the groom at a wedding feast means eating and drinking rejoicing of the guests with him but the time would come when the groom would be taken away and then the guests will fast. Jesus talked about His presence and departure in comparison with the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees religious obligations with little or no results (MATTHEW 9:14 & 15).

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It revealed two dispensations of the Old and New Covenants and the transitional period from the old to the new. As long as Jesus was with them physically, they received all things easily because He was the Christ. He revealed further that the old and the new cannot be mixed like the way a piece of cloth cannot be put on an old garment or a new wine be put in an old wine skin because it would tear and break respectively and the results would be worse (MATTHEW 9:16 & 17).

Therefore, you could not mix the old order of the law under the Old Covenant with the new order of life because it was about establishing a new covenant with better blessings and promises in Christ. In this context, the most important thing is that Jesus defended the disciples who seemed not to be religious and spiritual like the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees.

It shows that Church leaders must be able to defend Christians of Church programs and activities when it conforms to God’s will in Christ and leading of the Holy Spirit. It does not mean endorsement of sin in the Church by leadership but proving to be a good shepherd over the Church and protection from the devil and his demons, and human adversaries. We are to learn to protect and preserve the good and replace the bad.

God defended Moses and Aaron from the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram and the sons of Eliab, Peleth and Reuben who had connived with other men. They were pronounced guilty before the LORD and the earth opened and swallowed them. That was the end of the story with those rebels against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Besides, all other people who complained and challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron died from plagues (NUMBERS 16:1 - 50).

Again, God defended the priestly ministry of Aaron from rebels when only his rod budded and bore fruit before the LORD in the Tabernacle of Meeting (NUMBERS 17:7 – 11). Indeed, it was a proof of God’s call in their lives as leaders of His people; for God defends the ministries of His servants. Know that God defends the gospel of Jesus Christ and all His Ministers.

David in the wilderness proved his leadership abilities with the protection and preservation of the father’s sheep. He risked his life to deliver his sheep from a bear and a lion. It was in this same spirit that David defended King Saul and the Israelites from the Philistines. Yes confidence level was high (1 SAMUEL 17:34 - 37).

Christian leaders are to defend orphans, widows and widowers, poor, and do justice in speaking and saving the needy and the afflicted in the Church and other places (PSALMS 68:5 & 82:3). This was the position of Apostle Peter when he defended the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples over the alleged drunkenness at 9 0’clock in the morning. Truly, in that spiritually charged atmosphere they could not be carnal but show forth evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It means to discern like Apostle Peter and speak to defend the integrity of your people or group especially in righteous situations from their enemies or people who lack spiritual understanding of the works of God in Christ and the Holy Spirit such as baptism of the Holy Spirit.

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: CHURCH LEADERS MUST BE ABLE TO DEFEND THE INTEGRITY OF CHRISTIANS IN LINE WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. IT IS THE NATURE OF GOD EMBEDDED IN US AND WE NEED TO USE THIS GRACE TO DEFEND THE WORKS OF GOD AT ALL TIMES.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE LIVES AND MINISTRIES OF CHRISTIANS MEETS HEAVEN’S PERCEPTION AND EXPECTATIONS UNLIKE SATAN AND WORLDLY

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PERCEPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS. IT MEANS THEREFORE TO UNDERSTAND THE PROMISES OF GOD IN CHRIST AND WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DEFEND THE CHURCH AND CHRISTIANS FOR THE PROMOTION AND SUSTENANCE OF CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THIS SINFUL AND CORRUPT WORLD.

IF APOSTLE PETER DEFENDED THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES FROM THE ALLEGATION AND WILES OF THE MOCKERS; IF DAVID DEFENDED HIS SHEEP FROM WILD BEASTS IN THE WILDERNESS AND ALSO DEFENDED KING SAUL AND THE ISRAELITES FROM THE PHILISTINES, IF GOD DEFENDED THE MINISTRIES OF MOSES AND AARON FROM REBELS, THEN WE MUST BE ONE ANOTHER'S KEEPER TO PRAY AND SUPPORT OURSELVES AGAINST THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS, AND ENEMIES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. BE WISE BUDDY.

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PETER DEFENDED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2)

JOEL’S PROPHECY FULFILLED

ACTS 2:16 – 21 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

Peter's defense about the baptism of the Holy Spirit shifted to a higher level to prove that God Himself is behind it. At the given era and time of this prophecy by Prophet Joel, it was futuristic but fulfilled in their dispensation through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The revelation was that it marked the beginning of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which would spread to all peoples in every nation and country as believers and accomplish the mission and vision of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was necessary and inevitable because only the Holy Spirit could achieve Christ’s purpose on a world scale with the attainment of righteous results (ISAIAH 32:15).

The prophecy of Joel was quoted to let the multitude in the dilemma know that the tongues speaking was not fabricated, lies and deceit but fulfilled prophecy of the Prophet Joel. It was also meant to silence the mockers among the multitude.

The dimensions of the fulfilled prophecy of JOEL 2:28 – 28 revealed God’s love, goodness and favour towards all people. This was the intent of God to pour out His Spirit on all people even beyond the Jewish nation and people for a blessing. The Spirit would be poured on all flesh whether male or female. It would be with no regard to gender, age and colour and boundary of nations and countries. God had a bigger picture of saving and blessing the whole world.

The nature of the Holy Spirit was revealed to have abilities to make their sons and daughters prophesy the mind and will of God like Prophets and Prophetesses. It signified the pouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh in expression of God’s determined will to bless all people. It meant that sons and daughters would be filled with the Holy Spirit and be inspired to speak divine things and be fulfilled.

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Young men and women will have the ability to have visions of God like the Prophet Ezekiel as a result of the pouring of the Spirit. Even young men and women who are not known to be used by the Holy Spirit will become instruments of God's glory in Christ. This explains why in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, young men and women are used and see visions of God and even have dreams and visions to be known as visionaries.

Old men shall dream dreams meaning that old age will not be a limitation to have the wisdom and revelations of God for Church, Body of Christ and the world like the Apostle John.

Menservants and Maidservants as Ministers of Christ like the twelve (12) Apostles and other Christian workers would also have the ability to prophesy the mind and will of God by the Holy Spirit. It revealed that many believers would become Ministers of God on a worldwide scale beyond the selected few in Israel.

The prophecy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was specific and directed and therefore only believers as Christians can be filled and used in Christ for God’s glory. It revealed the use of many people all over the world by the Holy Spirit to live and preach, and do the works of Jesus Christ. This was the confidence in understanding and revelation of Peter when he addressed the multitude. It was prophetic and timely and his intervention was a proof of Jesus’ choice and endorsement of him as the leader of all the disciples and thus the first Church.

According to the commentary of the New Kings version of the bible, there would be wonders in heaven and on earth. The heavenly and wonders described here will take place in the great and awesome day of the LORD, an apparent reference to the end times. Blood and fire correspond with reference to REVELATIONS 8:7 & 8. Smoke corresponds with REVELATIONS 9:19. Darkness corresponds with REVELATIONS 8:12. Moon into blood corresponds with REVELATIONS 6:12.

It is true that the darkness experienced during Jesus’ crucifixion was a partial fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. However, the period of shaking the heavenly and earthly bodies to completion is still prophetic with signs in the generations.

In the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy through the baptism of the Holy Spirit which marked the beginning of greater workers to be done in Christ, I agree with the commentary of the New King James bible that anyone who calls on the name of the LORD would be saved. That is anyone who repents and believes will be saved from the judgment that will fall on the wicked and unbelieving.

The good news about the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that it fulfilled prophecy and scripture to make it an act of righteousness for a blessing to humanity especially believers as Christians. It serves a dual purpose to empower Christians to live and preach Christ, and promote all forms of righteousness. At the same time, it enables believers as Christians to evangelize and fulfill the mission and vision of the Lord Jesus Christ because of having all power and authority in His hands (MATTHEW 28:18 – 20).

Therefore, if people question and doubt the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, power behind Christian works and ministries, the anointing of Ministers of Jesus Christ, and the spiritual growth of the Church, tell them that it is prophetic and scriptural and fulfill God’s agenda on earth in Christ. Even if they do not understand because of carnality and spirit of unbelief, prophecy and scripture are being fulfilled in the lives and ministries of all Christians and Churches baptized in the Holy Spirit.

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It is a reminder of the prophecy of Jesus to Peter that on the divine acknowledgement of Him as the Christ, He would build His Church and the gates of hades will not prevail and succeed against Him (MATTHEW 16:16 – 19). This conferment of spiritual authority was the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It revealed the release of divine power and authority to reconcile the world to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

TO THE MULTITUDE, PETER DEFENDED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE PROPHECY OF JOEL TO MAKE IT SCRIPTURAL FOR A BLESSING TO THE CHURCH AND HUMANITY. IT RELEASED DIVINE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO LIVE AND PREACH CHRIST TO CHANGE UNBELIEVERS AND SINNERS. IT REVEALS THAT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD SHAKE HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY POWERS JUST AS HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY BODIES ARE SHAKEN.

IT IS A MESSAGE THAT IT FULFILLS THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BY THE EMPOWERED CHURCH. IT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE DIRECTION AND HOPE TO ALL CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH TO BE AWAKE IN CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND KEEP THE TESTIMONY OF HIS RESURRECTION ALIVE.

THE MESSAGE REVEALS THAT CHRISTIANS AND CHURCH LEADERS MUST HAVE A RIGHTEOUS BASIS TO DEFEND CHURCH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, AND BEHAVIOURS OF CHRISTIANS; ACTIONS AND INACTIONS. IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL AND DISCERNING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BIBLE. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF GOD’S WORD TO PROVE SPIRITUAL EVENTS IN THE WORLD AND DO NOT ALLOW RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, SINNERS AND UNBELIEVERS TO DISTORT GOSPEL TRUTHS. IT IS BETTER TO BE IN THE WILL OF GOD ALWAYS THAN GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION FROM THE WILL OF GOD.

IT PROVIDES HOPE TO THE CHURCH AND ALL CHRISTIANS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE, PREACH AND REVEAL JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD BECAUSE ALL PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WOULD BE SAVED; FOR SALVATION AWAITS ALL BELIEVERS. THIS IS THE PROMISE OF GOD AND WE MUST BELIEVE AND UPHOLD THIS TRUTH ALWAYS IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN AND BE WISE BUDDY.

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PETER DEFENDS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (1)

PROVEN IDENTITY AND MINISTRY OF JESUS

ACTS 2:22 – “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

Peter reminded the multitude of the proven identity and ministry of Jesus Christ. The message portrayed the humanity of Jesus who lived among them and taught in the synagogues and temples and on the streets. He had disciples who followed Him everywhere especially the twelve (12) disciples and also evident in the evangelistic ministry of the Seventy (70) disciples.

It revealed the power of God in the ministry of Jesus to prove His association and support. Apart from the spiritual empowerment, the physical evidence was the performance of miracles, wonders and signs such as

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healings of the blind, lame, demon possessed mad people, changing, water into wine, walking on water, feeding more than five thousand (5,000) people with five (5) loaves and two (2) fishes, etc.

It is a message that the anointing cannot be hidden but is made public because it is about blessing and changing people and building the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit. See how some people defied the warning of Jesus and testified of Him to other people. Two (2) blind men were healed by Jesus and He warned them not to tell anybody about it; that is about Him. But these two (2) blind men defied His order and spread the news to people in that part of the country area (MATTHEW 9:28 – 31). Truly, only the (12) disciples obeyed Jesus fully not to reveal His identity as the Christ (LUKE 9:18 – 21) unlike other people who received various healings and became disciples.

Peter was straight forward with his message to the multitude that all these righteous works were done among the people and they were witnesses to them. It meant that the people were the recipient of the works and blessings of Jesus, and their reports about them were revealed as true witnesses. All of Jesus’ accomplishments revealed the power of God done by the Holy Spirit in Him.

The message, therefore, emphasizes on Jesus as the reason for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He commanded them to gather in Jerusalem for this spiritual experience in which the multitude witnessed. The promise of the Father had come to pass and served as a proof of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and ascension to heaven. It was in this confidence that he proclaimed to them the proven identity and ministry if the Lord Jesus Christ. His confidence level was also a proof of the Holy of the Holy Spirit to declare Jesus’ works as the power of God.

It confirmed the Psalmist revelation that power emanates from God and is supreme; spoken once. As humans and the creation of God and especially as believers, we are to believe Him and His power for salvation; heard twice. It means to believe and continue to believe that power belongs to God. Therefore Jesus Christ exhibited the power of God in ministry which was so real and true that it made all people who testified of Him falsely became sinners to God (PSALMS 62:11). This was also in tandem with the victory of Jesus Christ in resurrection over sin, death and grave to confidently declare that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (MATTHEW 28:18).

It means to say that the baptism of the Holy Spirit must result in defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ and proving His identity and ministry as the power of God. It provides a message that whom God calls and anoints, He gives His power to manifest His works in life and ministry and the Church as a revelation to the world. Hallelujah!

It is also a righteous reminder: The answer and confession of Jesus to the multitude at the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Him was a proof of His ministry that He lived, walked and taught on the streets, communities, villages, towns and cities. It revealed that many people had the opportunity to see and experience Him for a blessing unlike the likes of the disbelieved Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and religious leaders, and Pilate and Herod (MATTHEW 26:55).

PETER IN THE BOLDNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CONFIDENTLY DEFENDED THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE MULTITUDE. IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND THEM OF THE IDENTITY AND MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ASSOCIATED WITH MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS TO PROVE THE POWER OF GOD. THE ANOINTING CANNOT BE HIDDEN BUT IS MADE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF THE BLESSING AND CHANGING PEOPLE IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

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THE MESSAGE HERE WAS THAT ALL THE WORKS OF JESUS WAS DONE AMONG THEM AS A JEW IN HIS HUMANITY BUT REVEALED THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HIM AS PROOF OF GOD’S POWER AT WORK. PETER WAS RIGHT BECAUSE THE TESTIMONIES REVEALED JESUS MORE TO THE PEOPLE AND THEY TESTIFIED OF HIS MINISTRY AS THE POWER OF GOD; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM.

IT MEANS TO SAY THAT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MUST RESULT IN DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND EVIDENCE OF THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. IT IS ABOUT BEING FILLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DO THE WORKS OF CHRIST AND EVEN GREATER WORKS AS PROMISED BY JESUS AS A TESTIMONY OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.

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PETER DEFENDS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (2)

JESUS’ DEATH PROVEN TO BE IN GOD’S PERFECT WILL

ACTS 2:23 – Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and in that boldness, he went further to explain the death and importance of Jesus as the power and will of God. With the paradigm shift of spiritual authority, it was no longer the Old Covenant of Moses in place but the New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ. It was no longer about revenge and therefore an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but the love of God expressed fully through the Lord Jesus Christ; ministry, death, resurrection and ascension acknowledged as the will of God.

Therefore, Peter told the multitude that Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross was not the plan of the devil and enemies per se but was the original plan of God to save humanity through attainment of eternal salvation. This explains why he told the multitude that Jesus was delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God. It revealed the love of God to make His Son Jesus suffer as the Author of eternal salvation.

It revealed that all the activities of Jesus' ministry, betrayal, arrest, trials, whippings, crucifixion and death were prophetic and scriptural. It proved the involvement of prophecy and scripture that confirmed the role of God to make Jesus as the suffering Messiah to achieve eternal salvation and reconciliation (ISAIAH 53).

It was the fulfillment of the prophecy of ISAIAH that revolved around all the events of Jesus’ life. Like the Psalmist, the religious leaders hated Jesus without cause; for they did not find anything unrighteous and sin with Him to condemn except claim of equality with God (JOHN 5:18) and misunderstanding of destruction of the temple and rebuilding it within three (3) days (JOHN 2:19).

It was with this understanding and revelation that Peter told the multitude that wicked people described as lawless hands took hold of Jesus and crucified Him on the cross like a criminal. The role played by Judas Iscariot was also prophetic and scriptural as the will of God. It is written that another person would take the betrayer’s office (PSALMS 109:8). This was earlier reiterated by Peter to the multitude (ACTS 1:20).

During the Last Supper, Jesus stated categorically that He would be betrayed and would go to the next level as it had been determined but woe to the betrayer because his punishment is also prophesied (LUKE 21:21 –

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23, JOHN 13:18 – 30). The Garden of Gethsemane was the place of the beginning of the Messianic prophecy in ISAIAH 53. Jesus, Himself, prophesied again in the Garden of Gethsemane that the betrayer was at the verge of betraying the Son of Man to sinners and it happened with precision (MATTHEW 26:45 – 47).

God is wonderful: Just as the Garden of Eden was the place of encounter that disengaged man’s righteous relationship with God, the Garden of Gethsemane was the place of the beginning of the fulfilment to the restoration of man’s relationship with God through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This culminated in the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when Judas Iscariot led a team of many people with orders from the Chief Priests and elders to identify and betray Him with a kiss (MATTHEW 26:47 – 50). Not surprising when a show of defense was put to save Jesus, He strongly prevented saying that it was necessary that scripture be fulfilled (MATTHEW 26:54) and he was abandoned by the disciples including Peter (MATTHEW 26:56) who now spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as leader of Jesus’ disciples.

Peter continued to prove to the multitude that Jesus’ death was by the determined will of God and not by the devil and his demons and human companions because it achieved the purpose of God as prophesied and written in the scriptures. Even Jesus’ trials fitted into the perfect plan of God to make Him testify to religious leaders and people, governors and kings, and became the process to be condemned and sentenced to crucifixion on the cross.

Yes everything worked perfectly into the plan of God as Jesus appeared before the Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod as recorded in the gospel stories. This was in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy to the disciples that they would be brought before governors and kings as a testimony of Him to them (MATTHEW 10:18). Therefore it was also righteous that Jesus set an example in His prophetic word emulated by His disciples and Christians throughout the generations. God was in the helm of affairs and made sure that all of Jesus’ trials were in His perfect will.

Apostle John wrote that the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus after four (4) days in the tomb caused many Jews to believe in Him as a servant of God. These people sent good report of Him to the people and the Pharisees. This culminated in the council meeting between of the Chief priests and elders on what to do with Jesus. They confessed that Jesus worked many signs to prove Himself as the Messiah but they also feared that His increasing followers with belief in Him would result in the Romans taking over their place of religious authority and the whole of Israel to make them slaves (JOHN 11:46 – 48).

While this dilemma went on, the High Priest by name Caiaphas spoke and said that it was better for one man to die for the people than the whole nation to perish. He prophesied by the Spirit of God that year about Jesus’ death for the nation without him knowing it. Apostle John emphasized that the high priest prophecy was also meant that the Christ would gather together the children of God scattered among the nations as one people unto God. Was prophecy and scripture not being fulfilled? It proved and confirmed that God was in charge of Jesus’ trials that led to His condemnation and crucifixion on the cross by Pilate (JOHN 11:49 – 52).

Even the various whippings of Jesus in Pilate's praetorian by the Roman soldiers mercilessness was the fulfillment of the prophecy of ISAIAH 53. Even the seven (7) words of Jesus on the cross such as “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (MATTHEW 27:46), “Father forgive them for do not know what they do” (LUKE 23:34), Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (LUKE 23:43), “I thirst” (JOHN 19:28), “Woman behold your son and son behold thy mother” (JOHN 19:26 & 27), “It is finished” (JOHN 19:28). “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (LUKE 23:46), was proof that His crucifixion and death served God’s purpose in life to become the Author eternal salvation and reconciliation of humanity to God.

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Truly, Jesus died on the cross in the hands of lawless people according to the perfect will of God. Apostle Peter described God’s action as a determined purpose and meant that God overlooked all complaints, cries and sufferings that led to the crucifixion and death of His Son Jesus Christ because prophecy and scripture needed to be fulfilled for the salvation of humanity. The message to the multitude was necessary to inform them that the promises of God in Christ are being fulfilled and revealed for their blessing in the same way they had witnessed the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of diverse speaking of tongues.

GOD’S ACTION AS A DETERMINED PURPOSE MEANT THAT GOD OVERLOOKED ALL COMPLAINTS, CRIES AND SUFFERINGS THAT LED TO THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST BECAUSE PROPHECY AND SCRIPTURE NEEDED TO BE FULFILLED FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY.

IT IS A MESSAGE THAT GOD WILL OVERLOOK ALL PAIN AND SUFFERINGS THAT ARE PART OF HIS DIVINE PACKAGE TO BRING YOU INTO YOUR GLORIOUS DESTINY LIKE JOSEPH SENT TO EGYPT (PSALMS 105:17 – 24). IT MEANS TO BE FOCUSED LIKE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND TESTIFY OF HIS GOODNESS IN CHRIST BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REVEAL THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD LIKE PETER.

IT MEANS TO SAY THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SHOULD INCREASE OUR CONFIDENCE AS CHILDREN OF GOD AND BOLDNESS IN OUR CONFESSION AND PROCLAMATIONS. BE WISE BUDDY BECAUSE EVERY CHRISTIAN AND LEADER ARE PEOPLE OF DESTINY IN THE POWER AND LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN!

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PETER DEFENDS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (3)

GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD

ACTS 2:24 – whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

There cannot be any resurrection without first being dead. Therefore, Peter’s message was that though lawless hands crucified Jesus Christ, God raised Him from the dead. Though the powers of darkness took over Jesus and crucified Him on the cross shamefully, God raised Him up from the dead.

God loosed the pains of death that held Him captive because scripture cannot be broken. Truly, prophecy and scripture proved that God’s word was at work in His perfect will to resurrect Jesus from the dead. Jesus indicated earlier in ministry that the Jews could destroy the temple and He would build it in three (3) days (JOHN 2:19). This prophecy was fulfilled when God raised Him from the dead.

In the same way that God overlooked the pain and sufferings of Jesus because this was His determined will to save the world, likewise He raised Him from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was associated with the work of the Holy Spirit. The physical evidence was that God sent His angel from heaven and rolled away the stone that sealed the tomb of Joseph of Arithmathea (MATTHEW 28:1 – 4). The Roman soldiers on guard at the tomb testified to the Jewish religious authorities (MATTHEW 28:11).

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Again when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the empty tomb and ran to inform Peter and the other disciples, the bible records that Peter himself ran to the tomb and found it empty just as he was informed (LUKE 24:12). Therefore, when Peter declared that God raised Jesus from the dead, it was based on an eye witness account beyond secondary information.

The message of Peter was an affirmation of Jesus’ prophecy of death and resurrection from the dead. It was not possible that Jesus would be held captive in death and in hades. He was bound to resurrect from the dead as spoken and prophesied by Jesus Himself in ministry prior to His crucifixion and death on the cross.

Jesus told the Jews that He had the power to lay down His life and to take it up again. Besides no one takes it from Him but He Himself lays it down and to take it again. He said this to prove the Father's love and command to Him and revealed to the disciples and the Jews (JOHN 10:17 & 18). It is a message that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was truly an act of God to achieve eternal plans and salvation and not by the domination and rule of the devil and his demons and enemies.

The transfigured experience on the mountain was so spiritual that it revealed Him as the Messiah and the Christ. Therefore, Jesus commanded the disciples to keep it as a secret and never disclose it to people until His risen from the dead (MATTHEW 17:9). It meant that He would die before resurrection.

Besides, Jesus revealed that the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy was at hand because of the fulfillment and requirement of the coming of Elijah revealed in John the Baptist. In the same way they mistreated John the Baptist in the spirit of Elijah, likewise they would mistreat and make Him suffer (MATTHEW 17:12).

In Galilee, Jesus took the bull by the horn when He boldly declared to the disciples that He would be betrayed and suffer in the hands of the Jews, and they will kill Him but He would be raised up (MATTHEW 17:22 & 23).

All these righteous examples confirm Peter’s declaration that God raised Jesus from the dead as spoken and prophesied. It was in this confidence that Peter addressed the multitude to prove the power of God in Christ’s resurrection beyond His pain and sufferings in the hands of His enemies.

It was a message to convince the multitude to change their minds about the baptism of the Holy Spirit in regard to the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was ensure complete understanding and revelation of the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit for spiritual empowerment and doing the works of Christ in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (MATTHEW 18:18 – 20).

It helped to stop the doctrine and influence of the Sadducees with no belief in resurrection to life after death. Truly Jesus proved the resurrection of the dead with raising Lazarus to life after four (4) days buried in the grave (JOHN 11). Peter experienced this sign with Jesus as one of the disciples and therefore Jesus’ resurrection was confirmation that it was an act of God.

On this note, I urge all believers as Christians to agree with Apostle Paul and testify by the scriptures that Jesus Christ died for our sins, buried and rose from the dead (1 CORINTHIANS 15:3 & 4). Like Apostle Paul, we are first to believe Christ’s death and resurrection by the bible and have the Holy Spirit for deeper revelation and truth.

Do not go and read satanic books like the occult and witchcraft and people in other religions and be confused about the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection. I recommended strongly and with urgency to consider using only the bible to believe God’s righteous salvation work in the Lord Jesus Christ because the Holy Spirit

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reveals truths for understanding, blessing and edification. Be warned also because the devil and his demons are liars and deceivers.

IN A DETERMINED PURPOSE, GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD TO PROVE HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE HIS WORD AND ETERNAL PLAN OF SALVATION. IT WAS PROPHETIC AND SCRIPTURAL TO MAKE IT AN ACT OF GOD AND NOT THAT OF THE DEVIL OR JESUS’ ENEMIES.

IT WAS AN AFFIRMATION THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. PETER HAD TO TELL THE MULTITUDE THIS GOSPEL TRUTH BECAUSE ALL PREACHING AND TEACHINGS WOULD BE BASED ON HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.

THIS MESSAGE BY PETER SHOWS THAT PHYSICAL DEATH IS INEVITABLE BUT GOD WOULD RAISE US UP IN THE LIKENESS OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE FOR ALL BELIEVERS AS CHRISTIANS WITH ASSURANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEATH TO HOLD THE LIVES OF CHRISTIANS CAPTIVE BECAUSE OF THE HOPE IF RESURRECTION. YES IF THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS THINK THAT THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED, KNOW FOR SURE THAT THE POWER OF GOD IN CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD BRING YOU TO THE POINT OF RESURRECTION.

IT IS ALSO A MESSAGE THAT THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS AND HUMAN ENEMIES CAN CAUSE YOUR DEATH IN A SITUATION BUT GOD WOULD RESURRECT IT AS A BLESSING AND EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. IT MEANS TO BE PRAYERFUL AND FOCUSED IN YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH, AND CONFESS JESUS CHRIST ALL THE TIME FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN LIFE, MINISTRY AND THE CHURCH.

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PETER DEFENDS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (4)

DAVID PROPHESIED ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION

ACTS 2:25 – 28 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

Peter continued his defense of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and fulfillment of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as promised. He emphasized on one of the prominent and respected kings in Israel, David, of whom the LORD promised that the Messiah would come through his lineage.

David was described to have had a three (3) fold anointing of a king, priest and prophet. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him to see the vision of God and prophesy concerning the Messiah. Peter in this understanding and revelation spoke of David’s belief about the glory of the Messiah. He saw parts of the Messiah’s everlasting kingdom and earthly domain where even His resurrection was revealed as not experiencing decay of the human body and imprisonment of soul in hades. He spoke of a rejoicing situation and inevitable confession because it would be a memorable testimony and too good and beneficial to talk about them.

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Peter revealed further that David acknowledged God’s favour on his life to know the ways of life for a blessing. It signified a futuristic assurance of joy in the presence of God over His eternal works and achievements. Since David was connected to the resurrected Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name they had gathered as disciples, with experienced baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was a good and righteous reference point to justify His resurrection by scripture and prophecy. It served as a proof to the multitude that the spiritual experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was prophetic and scriptural and partly connects to the most celebrated king of Israel, David.

The message shows the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s servants like David to have glimpses of the nature of the Messiah. It was prophesied and written for our belief in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. It is to keep us focused in our Christian faith and continue to believe in the resurrection and baptism of the Holy Spirit as the works of God through the working of the Holy Spirit. Just as Peter spoke and defended these spiritual events to the divided multitude, all Church leaders are to speak, explain, prove and defend the works of the Holy Spirit in the Church and even to unbelievers for their understanding and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and sustenance of the Christian faith.

KNOW THAT GOD IS PURPOSED DRIVEN TO PERFORM HIS WORKS IN CHRIST TO THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD. WE HAVE TO BECOME LIKE PETER AND PROVE THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, AND BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS INSEPARABLE GOSPEL TRUTHS FOR OUR BELIEF AND SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. IF PETRR USED DAVID AS A RIGHTEOUS EXAMPLE, WE ARE TO DEFEND ON THE HOLY SPIRIT AND USE WRITTEN SCRIPTURES AND PROPHETIC WORD TO PROVE BEYOND DOUBT AND CONTROVERSY.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERIOR TO DAVID; EVIDENT IN RESURRECTION

ACTS 2:29 – 31 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Peter’s boldness was big because his confidence was strong with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and now baptism of the Holy Spirit. His leadership ability also came into prominence through his love and passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. Fear was no longer a hindrance because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter makes a valid point about resurrection of the dead using David who saw the vision of God and prophesied about it in a very free manner without expecting restraint. This David, our celebrated personality, is dead and gone and his tomb is there as a reminder that he was buried and his flesh experienced decay.

To the multitude, Peter told them that David was a prophet of God with His promise and prophecy of the Messiah coming from his loins and lineage. The promise was that God would make the fruit of his body sit on the throne forever. The resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfilled this promise and prophecy. Besides, David foresaw it and spoke by revelation that the Christ would not experience rottenness of the body in the grave and imprisonment of the soul in hades because He would resurrect from the dead. In this Peter certified and justified Jesus’ resurrection from the dead as scriptural and prophetic through the patriarch David.

Hades is said to have two compartments of souls who lived for God and those who lived as sinners. It means that Jesus like all people who died physically went to hades. Besides He triumphed over sin, the devil and his demons and the restraint of the grave through His resurrection. Truly, Christ’s resurrection from the dead was the physical and spiritual evidence of victory over hades. Therefore, we agree with Apostle Paul that if Christ

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had not risen from the dead, we would have been the most pitiable of all people as believers and Christiana (1 CORINTHIANS 15:19). Yes we are not pitiable because the baptism of the Holy Spirit makes alive and active the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Therefore, Apostle Peter wrote that Christ carried the sins of the world and died on the cross with them, and was buried like all people who died. He was made to suffer unto death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. Furthermore, He descended into hades and preached to imprisoned souls who formerly were disobedient and only eight (8) souls were saved during the days of Noah (1 PETER 3:18 – 29).

The message of Peter revealed that if Christ accomplished eternal salvation through resurrection from the dead, then He was greater than the patriarch David. If He had authority over the grave and therefore hades not to experience decays of the body and imprisonment of soul in hades, then He was greater than David.

It affirmed Jesus’ teachings and expression of truth about the kingdom of God to make Him greater than Solomon and His words of wisdom. Truly, Jesus Christ accomplished eternal works and salvation beyond the mandate and achievements of Solomon (MATTHEW 12:42 & LUKE 11:31).

It is always better to trust the Holy Spirit to hear His voice and read the bible and Christian books, and have understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and baptism of the Holy Spirit other than read non – Christian books and trusts in the devil’s doctrine and lies and deceit through knowledge of atheists and knowledge of the spirit of the anti - Christ.

PETER REVEALED TO THE MULTITUDE THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AND BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE INDELIBLE PROOFS OF HIS GREATER AUTHORITY THAN DAVID. HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO RISE UP FROM THE DEAD AND NEVER TO DIE AGAIN; THAT IS LIVE FOREVER IN GOD’S PRESENCE.

IT REVEALED JESUS CHRIST AS HAVING VICTORY OVER HADES THROUGH RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD TO FULFILL DAVID’S PROPHECY AND SCRIPTURE OF HAVING AUTHORITY OVER HADES. THE MULTITUDE NEEDED TO KNOW THIS TRUTH AND SERVE AS A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THEIR BELIEF IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

IT IS THE GOSPEL TRUTH THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD IS PROVEN FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT, WHERE DAVID SPOKE AS A PROPHET OF GOD ABOUT HIS BODY NOT EXPERIENCING DECAY IN THE GRAVE, AND HIS SOUL IMPRISONED IN HADES; PLACE ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERWORLD.

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PETER PROVES JESUS AS LORD AND CHRIST (1)

WITNESSES

ACTS 2:32 – This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

Peter’s conclusion of the explanation of the scriptures and prophecy about the fulfillment of the Messiah coming was that, Jesus whom they crucified on the cross was raised up from the dead by God. The phrase “this Jesus” signified no other person but Jesus Christ whom they believed and was rejected by the Jews and

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crucified by the Romans but God raised Him up from the dead. It is specific to prove that Jesus Christ proved Himself to be the Messiah through His ministry, death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. Jesus’ ascension was necessary and inevitable for the Holy Spirit to come and baptize the disciples for spiritual empowerment.

On this revelation and proof by scripture and prophecy, Peter was more confident to declare themselves as witnesses. Truly, the eleven (11) disciples with Peter witnessed all the works, arrests, trials, crucifixion, resurrection, appearances and ascension. Besides, the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples were witnesses and included Matthias who was chosen to be added to complete the core disciples of twelve (12) as Jesus decided to represent the twelve (12) tribes of Israel. I believe this truth because Jesus promised the disciples that they would serve as rulers of the twelve (12) tribes as rewards for their commitment, faithfulness and loyalty (LUKE 22:28 – 30).

It affirmed Jesus’ appearances to the disciples after resurrection from the dead beginning from Mary Magdalene and the other Mary and them to the disciples minus Thomas and later to all the core disciples, and then to other disciples including the two (2) disciples on the road of Emmaus experience. Truly all the gospel stories in the books of MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN emphasized on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and appearances to His disciples who believed in Him and not to Jewish religious leaders and Roman Authorities and allies in the likes of Pilate and Herod.

The message of Peter to the multitude was that they could not and would not deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and ascension into heaven because they happened and they testified of them as witnesses. They had received the Spirit of Christ because they believed in Him and have also been baptized in the Holy Spirit to have the confidence and boldness to declare these truths for a blessing.

Therefore, they could not bear the semblance of the Scribes and Pharisees and be associated with them to fit into Jesus’ descriptions of “hypocrites, blind, fools, pretense, devourers, serpents, brood of vipers” etc. As Peter revealed, they could not be hypocrites like their fellow Jews and say that they would have behaved well in the days of their fathers and loved and accepted the servants of God sent into them (MATTHEW 23:30). This was because he found out that only Jesus Christ could change their hearts by the Holy Spirit in their belief of Him. Therefore, they were believers and witnesses and not unbelievers and hypocrites.

On the basis of their unbelief and hypocrisy, Jesus described them as witnesses against themselves as sons of those who murdered the Prophets (MATTHEW 23:31). Since the Jews continued in the evil works of their stubborn and disobedient fathers, they were to fill the full measure of their father’s guilt to make their punishment complete (LUKE 23:32).

All these descriptions about them was true because they knew of the stubborn and disobedience hearts of their fathers, and even their wickedness to maim and kill and shed blood of prophets, wise people and scribes sent by God into their midst to change them (LUKE 23:34 & 35). Truly, Jesus’ prophecy about them pointed to the direction of behaviour just like their fathers of old.

Being a witness of Jesus' rebuke and warning to the Scribes and Pharisees, Peter spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that they were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead as truths that have eternal blessings for all believers. They were not going to deny them but to live and testify of all the righteous experiences through the Lord Jesus Christ unto belief for eternal salvation. Therefore, he described themselves as witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ; yes to His accomplished righteous works. It revealed their readiness to proclaim the good news of Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension into heaven which fulfilled the scriptures and prophecy of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

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THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES BELIEVERS AS CHRISTIANS TO PROVE AND DEFEND THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD. IT GIVES THE NEEDED CONFIDENCE AND BOLDNESS TO BE IDENTIFIED AS WITNESSES IN THE CAPACITY OF TESTIFYING ACCORDING TO BELIEF, SCRIPTURE, AND PROPHECY AS CHRISTIANS. TRULY, WE WERE NOT BORN DURING THE DAYS OF JESUS ON EARTH LIKE PETER AND THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) DISCIPLES BUT WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US LIKE THEM TO TESTIFY AND BECOME WITNESSES.

I BELIEVE THE PROMISE OF JESUS THAT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD MAKE US PROVE HIM AS SAVIOUR AND LORD AND FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION TO THE WHOLE WORLD. BE TRUE WITNESSES OF JESUS’ VICTORY OVER SIN, DEATH, GRAVE, DEVIL AND ENEMIES THROUGH RESURRECTION, APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION, AND FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE OF BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT AND FULFILLMENT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION. BE COMMENDED AS TRUE WITNESSES AND NOT REBUKED LIKE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES.

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PETER PROVES JESUS AS LORD AND CHRIST (2)

EXALTED JESUS CHRIST

ACTS 2:33 – 35 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

Peter made it clear to the multitude that the Messianic prophecy had been fulfilled with God raising Jesus from the dead and proving Him as Lord. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was an affirmation of Jesus' ascension into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God with authority. This was the victory of Jesus Christ and proof of Him as Lord, and righteous sign of the promise of the Father.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is therefore a proof of Jesus’ authority as He told the disciples to evangelize the world in His authority just before His ascension into heaven. He fulfilled His word in sending the promise of the Father to be endued with power from on high to enable them produce righteous results in His name. The gift of speaking diverse tongues in their own languages for easy understanding of the wonders of God by all the one hundred and twenty (120) disciples was the result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

It revealed the strong and unbreakable connection between God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This was the Trinity at work that revealed the presence and residence of the Holy Spirit on earth and in the affairs of believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit had come to stay and accomplish Christ’s work on earth in the lives and ministries of believers and the Church.

Peter made reference to the prophetic word of David to make the multitude know that the reign of the Messiah had begun. That was the announcement of the reign of the Messiah where His placement is by the right side of God till the time that His enemies are made subject to Him (PSALMS 110:1). It was symbolic of kings placing their feet on the neck of their enemies in victory over them in battle. It is a decreed prophecy that Jesus Christ would have victory over all His enemies’ physically and spiritually and therefore good news and hope for all Christians and the Church.

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Indeed, Christ’s ascension to heaven and sitting position at the right hand of God signified authority to fulfill His mission and vision on earth. The promise made by God and spoken by inspiration and revelation through David was fulfilled when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven before the eyes of His disciples on the mount of Galilee.

The message revealed that Jesus Christ was in His exalted position with heavenly and earthly authority to implement His righteous will through the lives and ministries of the disciples. The Holy Spirit was therefore His representative on earth and in the believers to enforce His word, works and will. It confirmed His word to the disciples that all authority in heaven and on earth have been given to Him (MATTHEW 28:18).

It meant that power hand changed hands because of the superior authority of Jesus over the devil and his demons and human enemies in His death, precise day of resurrection, three (3) days, appearances, ascension and change of habitation of righteous souls from hades to the third heavens. For when Christ resurrected, He led captivity captives and gave gifts unto men (PSALMS 68:18). The baptism of the Holy Spirit with given gifts was a proof of Christ’s ascension into heaven and reign as prophesied by David many years ago.

Once again, Peter proved to the multitude that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Messianic prophecy spoken by David. It was to change their mindset and make them come to terms of the Messianic reign with heavenly and earthly authority beyond any other power and dominion. It was clear with the baptism of the Holy Spirit with boldness of speech and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ to reveal replacement of the authority of the Sanhedrin with Jesus’ disciples and thus the Church.

PETER EXPLAINED TO THE MULTITUDE THAT THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST INTO HEAVEN AND SITTING OM HIS EXALTED SEAT ON GOD'S RIGHT HAND ENABLED THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. IT PROVED THE AUTHORITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THROUGH HIS RESURRECTION, APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN.

IT REVEALED THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF DAVID THAT ANNOUNCED THE REIGN OF THE CHRIST AS THE DETERMINED PURPOSE OF GOD TO PUT ALL HIS HUMAN ANS SPIRITUAL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. IT MEANS TO SAY THAT THE REIGN OF CHRIST THAT CULMINATED IN THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MARKED BEGINNING OF THE DECREED END OF THE DEVIL AND INFLUENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD.

TRULY, AS LONG AS CHRIST SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, THE CHURCH IS MARCHING IN VICTORY UNTO VICTORY WITH HIS GOSPEL OF SALVATION. YES BE IN THE EVER WINNING RIGHTEOUS GROUP OF CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Nana Kwaku Duodu0276091904054710489502025043500577719789exploits34@yahoo.compowermight41@gmail.com

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