Lesson 2704

(Lesson 2704)(05-19-19) John 20:21-23
    “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

    Today we are going to delve into, what I believe to be another discrepancy, in the quote in yesterday’s lesson.
    In the quote, Jesus supposedly passed the Holy Ghost on to His apostles by breathing on them. The quote says, “He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
    That statement is contrary to what is said in Acts chapters one and two. Remember the events that occurred in the book of acts, whereby the apostles were baptized with the Holy Ghost, took place AFTER the events described in the above controversial quote.
    Lets read Acts 1:4-8 wherein the author was speaking of Jesus when he said, “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
    The quote from Acts 1:4-8 is clearly in contrast with John 19:22-23 because Jesus confirmed, in essence that the Holy Ghost had not yet come to the aposltes. Lets look for further evidence of the discrepancy.
    Acts 2:1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
    Lets also remember that Jesus had promised the apostles to send a comforter ‘from the Father’ way back in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
    On the day of the Pentecost God baptized the apostles with the Holy Ghost. Therefore, there is something horribly out of place in John 19:21-23.
    Jesus told us to study to show ourselves approved and to rightly divide the word of truth. I hope I have done that and haven’t confused anyone. I am open to any questions at any time. ~