OUR FATHER WHOSE SON ROSE FROM THE DEAD

The book of John chapter 20 verse 19 - 23 records the startling events that ocurred during the evening of the same day. The disciples were holed-up in a safe-house in Jerusalem with the doors and windows sealed when the Lord Jesus appeared physically in their midst and reassured them and identified Himself to them by showing them the injuries in His hands and His side.

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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Lord Jesus Jesus, having set the example of being sent into the world, He then sent out His disciples.

Jesus then breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" and gave them a spiritual authority that would give them the power to forgive sins and the power to retain sins.

Amen.

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