Our Text …
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Do remember, the “first day of the week” is Sunday! The day Jesus arose from the dead. For this great reason the Church began worshipping (with its corporate services) on Sunday, which in time they renamed “the Lord’s Day!”
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This Verse is fulfilled in the Scene we’re studying today! John 16:22 … “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
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One Bible Teacher says this … “The Gospel’s ‘best known’ Sentence is John 3:16 … “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I agree!
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The Great Commission, as reported in each Gospel …
Matthew 28:18-20 … “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mark 16:15 … “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Luke 24:47-49 … “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
John 20:21 … “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
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Jesus readily showed the Disciples His wounds! Much like an old, seasoned (but victorious) Commander shows his battle scars! Paul too … “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Galatians 6:17
Throughout Scripture, God’s Breath …
Genesis 2:7, Adam the man!
John 20:22, Disciples, the Church!
Ezekiel 37:9, the Jews, Israel!
Isaiah 11:4, the wicked!
(He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.)
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The soul-winner, as well as the Preacher …
… remits sin as he or she shares the Gospel whereupon someone gets saved! Those sins are gone!
… retains sin in the life of the one who rejects the Gospel!
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Wow!
Watch the class, an invitation …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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