A Man Attested to by God
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Acts 2:16-24
16. but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17. `And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18. yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19. And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20. the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. 21. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' 22. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know -- 23. this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Luke 24:36-53
36. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37. But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39. See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40. 41. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42. They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43. and he took it and ate before them. 44. Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46. and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47. and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48. You are witnesses of these things. 49. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." 50. Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. 52. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53. and were continually in the temple blessing God.
I began in Luke this morning. As I read Chapter 24, I imagined myself on the road to Emmaus, then in the upper room where the disciples stayed after the crucifixion. I filled up with excitement and felt the awe and wonder and unspeakable joy of that band of men who had given up everything in their lives to follow Jesus! And now He is in their midst!
Many of my bible notes refer to Old Testament prophets—of course, these chapters document that scripture is being fulfilled! But I gained a new perspective about the Holy Spirit! The Old Testament prophets were empowered and in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit! That’s how they had the revelations about the future coming of Christ! Now I know that many would say, “Well it took you long enough to figure that out!” But I’m very excited! The Holy Spirit has always been a part of God, so it makes sense that God would be manifested in that way – I see the Holy Spirit as the most mysterious of the three persons of God.
But because of the fulfilled scripture, because of Jesus’ obedience even unto death, because of the resurrection, we all now have access to the Holy Spirit. God’s full power—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are more powerful than any earthly king, ruler, want, desire, sin! God is triune! He exists in body, mind and soul! The Holy Spirit revealing the truth to one man is miraculous—and the force of the power of the Holy Spirit made it impossible for those prophets not to believe and that aspect of God “opened their minds” so they would understand! It’s just so amazing! I’m rambling! I can’t find words this morning to describe and explain what is running through my mind! The triune God! He imparts the on us the ability to understand even those speaking a different language. He reveals the future to a king long past. He rises from the dead! He waits for us in heaven!
Because of the Holy Spirit joining God the Father and Jesus, the world is turned on its ear! What makes sense to man is foolish to God! We are compelled to see the world through different eyes—salvation eyes! We are unable to live as those without signs and wonders and visions imparted to them! We cannot stop speaking about the glorious, unimaginable and unspeakably wonderful gift of grace!
"These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." 45. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46. and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47. and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48. You are witnesses of these things. 49. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."
I hope today that the Holy Spirit opens your mind to understand the scriptures in a new way, and that you are clothed with power from on high.
Mary
