Lesson 4584

 (Lesson 4584)(08-22-24) John 20:18-23 

   “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 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. 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. 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, he 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’s quote relates that after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples who were gathered in a locked room. He greeted them with "Peace be with you," and then showed them His hands and side, confirming His resurrection. The disciples were overjoyed at seeing the risen Lord. In this intimate moment, Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit," signifying the impartation of the Holy Ghost to His apostles. However, this account presents a notable contrast to the narrative in the book of Acts, specifically in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit is described as descending upon the disciples at Pentecost. In Acts, the disciples were gathered together when suddenly, a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the room, and tongues of fire rested on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them. This event is portrayed as the moment when the disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin their ministry. The contradiction lies in the timing and manner of the Holy Spirit's impartation. In John's gospel, the disciples received the Holy Spirit directly from Jesus on the day of His resurrection, whereas in Acts, the Holy Spirit is given to them during the feast of Pentecost, several weeks later, in a dramatic and public display. This raises questions about whether these are two separate events or different interpretations of the same event, reflecting variations in the theological emphasis of the different New Testament authors. John's account emphasizes a personal and immediate transfer of the Holy Spirit directly from Jesus to His disciples, while Acts presents a communal and powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit that marks the beginning of the disciples' public ministry.  

NOTE: There are certainly grounds for a challenge to the method and timing of the apostle's reception of the Holy Spirit; However, in reality, it matters little how the Holy Spirit was imparted to the apostles so long as we have faith that the event indeed occurred. There will be further discussion of today’s quote in the next lesson. ~