Introduction

   This book is a chronological commentary listing all of the events in the four gospels, which define what the Gospel of the Grace of God is. This book is not about the Gospel of the Kingdom which was preached by Jesus and the 12 Apostles while the nation was still under the Law. (For more on the Gospel of the Kingdom see the study above entitled: The Baptist)

   The Apostle Paul sums up just what the Gospel of the Grace of God is the best in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, where he says:

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

   The purpose of this book is to lay out a Scriptural defense of the Gospel, to quiet the false prophets who proclaim "Another Gospel", and to expose the error of those who claim to preach the "Full Gospel".

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

Chapter One

The Crucifixion of Christ

   While much could and should be said about the three years leading up to the cross, this book will stick solely to the events surrounding Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

   To remain silent while the Gospel is being watered down and attacked from every side is to be aligned with the enemies of God.

Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

   Let us begin our defense of the Gospel with the moments immediately following Jesus trial and beating.

   After Jesus' questioning by Pilate he was found not guilty but was sentenced to die by crucifixion anyway to appease the Sadducees and the Pharisees who had accused him of blasphemy.

   Jesus was then beaten, mocked and whipped with a cat of nine tails thirty-nine times. His injuries were more severe than the two thieves were and only had enough physical strength to carry his cross part of the way to Calvary. Isaiah describes how Jesus looked that day:

Isaiah 53:14 As many were at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

   The Bible is not clear about how far Jesus had to carry his cross, only that he didn't have to carry it all the way himself. Simon the Cyrenian was called upon to leave his two sons and carry the cross that should have been yours and mine:

(Mr 15:20) And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. (Mt 27:32) And as they came out, (Jn 19:17) he bearing his cross went forth (Mr 15:21)

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross (Lk 23:26) after Jesus.

   The soldiers who ordered Simon to carry Jesus' cross either didn't see that he had his two sons with him or they just didn't care. Little did they know what God had in store for those two boys. Simon isn't mentioned again in Scripture but his two sons are along with their mother:

Acts 19:33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense to the people. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

   From this salutation by Paul to the Romans it is clear that Rufus' mother was also saved and possibly Simon as well. It was likely that Simon was there that crucifixion day to participate in the passover celebrations and offer up a lamb for his own sins and for those of his own house as was commanded in the books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

   Little did he know that he was carrying the cross for the real Passover sacrifice, (Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world).

   I believe Simon was also there at Pilate's Palace because he had heard of all the wonderful works that Jesus had done, and wanted to see what would become of the one many were calling the Messiah (Saviour or Christ).

   Maybe Simon was present when Jesus healed a blind man or saw him cast a demon out of someone or when he fed the five thousand with a few fishes and pieces of bread. In any case, we

do know that this experience greatly affected the life of this family.

   I do not believe that their being there was just a coincidence. I truly believe that God, even in this most excruciating time, was still taking the time to reach out to this family and many others that followed him on that day:

(Lk 23:27) And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, Behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, [Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.] 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

   Jesus' prophecy to the Daughters of Jerusalem will find its fulfillment during the seven-year tribulation period that is coming upon the whole earth. This prophecy is played out for us fully in the Book of the Revelation:

Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was an earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and Island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

   Once again, we see Jesus not thinking of his own suffering, but rather, he was thinking of you and me. He was also exhorting the Daughters of Jerusalem not to weep for him, but for themselves, and for their children's children who will one day go through the Great Tribulation (The Time of Jacob's Trouble Jeremiah 30:7).

   As Jesus and the two thieves made their way down the Via Della Rosa (The Way of the Cross), they left the city walls behind them and made their way to the peak of the mountain (777 Meters above sea level) on which the city of Jerusalem was built. Directly beneath the place where their crosses were placed in the ground was a bizarre rock formation, that looked like a human skull.

32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. (Mt 27:33) And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, (Lk 23:33) which is called Calvary, that is to say, a place of a skull.

   There has been a battle raging over the location of Golgotha or Calvary, between the Catholics, Protestants and Baptists for centuries.

   The Catholics hold that Calvary is a place inside the city limits of Old Jerusalem were the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is built. While Baptists and many Protestants hold to the site just outside the old city walls as the true site of Jesus' crucifixion.

Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

   The Catholic Church holds to their position based on a superstitious legend that the place of a skull means the place were Adam's skull was supposedly found.

   And for a fee you can see it if you like, along with literally thousands of other phony relics and Idols and hear some of the craziest stories ever told while touring this facade.

   Baptists and most Protestants hold to the other site because it is the only site, which fits the Biblical requirements to be called Calvary. This site is free just like Eternal Life and it is available to all that will ask by faith.

   We will discuss this subject more in the following chapters, but for now, let’s turn our thoughts back to Calvary and Jesus' crucifixion:

Mt 23:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall (Mr 15:23) wine mingled with myrrh): and when -he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. (Lk 23:33) And when they were come to the place, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

   Crucifixion was a relatively new way of torturing a criminal for a prolonged period of time and it served two purposes. The first was to inflict as much pain on the criminal as they could for as long a period of time as possible (People were known to survive being crucified for up to three days).

   That's why Pilate marveled whether Jesus was dead yet when Joseph asked for his body later that day. The second and probably most compelling reason that Rome used this method of execution was, that it was a very effective deterrent to would-be criminals and rebels.

   Another of the amazing things about Jesus' crucifixion is that it was foretold hundreds of years before crucifixion was ever thought of, which goes to show us that the Bible is always up to date. Notice the prophetic words of King David, which are really the thoughts and words of Jesus while he was on the cross:

Psalm 22:1-20 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytimes, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises

of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me; strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

   What a horrific thing Jesus had to experience for us so that we might inherit eternal life. Our finite minds cannot even begin to comprehend the Saviour's infinite love that he has for us. After the soldiers unwittingly crucified the Lord of Glory, they then knelt down to divide the spoils. What was it that they took? His riches? No!

   They took the only thing he possessed at that moment, his dignity! The God of all that ever was and ever will be was stripped of his clothing, and he hung there naked for you and for

me. He could have struck them dead at any second, but he didn't because he loved even the ones who were crucifying him and pleaded with his heavenly Father for their souls.

Jn 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts; to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

   While Christianity is based on faith, it is not a blind faith. God has given the world a perfect description of the Saviour so when he arrived on the scene we could recognize him without a doubt because we see him described throughout the Old Testament. For example:

Isaiah 53:4 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mr 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. (Mr 15:28) And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, [And he was numbered with the transgressors].

   Then after the crucifixion Pilate sought to gain a little political clout at the expense of Jesus by mocking him with a sign that was sure to tell Rome how Pilate dealt with those who set themselves up as a King:

Jn 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZERETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief

priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

   I don't know for sure but I am almost certain that Satan was smiling at this point, thinking he had won. I'll bet he wished he could have been there physically to belittle Jesus as he hung on the cross along with the others.

   Little did he know that Jesus came for this purpose and that by going to Calvary it was Satan who was defeated on that day:

Mt 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there; (Mr 15:29) And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, (Mt 27:40e) If thou be the Son of God come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel (Lk 23:35f if he be Christ, the chosen of God), let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. (Lk 23:36) And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

   There was no doubt in these people’s mind who Jesus claimed to be; yet they mocked him without searching the Scriptures to see if he was the Messiah.

   They spent their whole life waiting for a man to lead them and when he came they were too blinded by their sin to see who he was. Their religion had blinded them to truth. Thank God, a thief changed his heart while he was on the cross when he heard the truth and accepted Israel's Messiah:

Lk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due rewards of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

   Here we have one of the main reasons for my writing this book. As I was sharing my faith with a Jehovah's Witness we got around to the subject of the thief on the cross.

   Jehovah's Witnesses believe in Soul Sleep while Christians believe that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

   When I quoted these verses to the Heretic, he responded like a brainwashed Cult member, by spouting off the INFALLIBLE teachings of their founder (Charles Russell).

   The leadership of the Jehovah's Witnesses wrote their own Bible that doesn't have a literal Hell in it were people suffer for an eternity and called it the New World Translation (NWT).

   The NWT has the punctuation in this verse wrongly placed and two of the words are switched around deliberately to support their Soul Sleep doctrine.

   This is just like a Cult, if the Bible doesn't say what you like, just find another one, and if that one has some minor differences just alter them.

   The NWT places the comma after the words "to day" in verse forty-three instead of before it. They also switch the word order around when they come to the words "shalt thou".

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

KJV

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, thou shall be with me in paradise.

NWT

   Do you see how by making a few small changes here and there can totally alter God's original meaning, and thus change our doctrine into Satan's lie? I hope this will help you to see the importance of which Bible you use. Versions that are different are not the same.

   If I were to trust the notes in many of the Bibles that are sold at the ecumenical bookstores I wouldn't have to write the last two chapters regarding the resurrection and ascension.

   Many of them quote Wescott and Hort (Liberal Theologians) who believe the "Best Manuscripts" don't have the last twelve verses of Mark sixteen. The King James Bible is the only Bible that doesn't try to pull "the oldest trick in the Book," which is causing you to doubt God's Word.

   On all most every page in the modern bibles you will find notes inserted that say, "These verses are not found in the best manuscripts." This is the same stunt Satan pulled with Eve in the Garden when he said:

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God hath made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

   We will study this more in depth when we study the following chapter which deals with the death of Jesus, but for now let’s look at the last few hours of our Saviours life on the cruel cross:

Lk 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

   The very ones who were supposed to be preaching about the Light had rejected the Light of this world. A darkness from God had engulfed the entire world for six hours because people loved their darkness (Sin) more than Gods Light.

   How tragic to think of all the millions of people that are being deceived by those who profess to preach the truth. This was no eclipse that they were experiencing. An eclipse only last for a few minutes, this one lasted for hours and was recorded in secular history of Egypt and Asia Minor.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reprooved. 21. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

   Now we enter into the most excruciating part of the crucifixion. It wasn't the nails or the whipping that was causing the most pain at this time. The worst part was when his Father would have to turn his back on his own Son, not because he didn't love him anymore, but because the sins of the whole world were placed on him.

   God the Father had to turn away from our sins because he is a perfect and Holy God separate from sin. To Jesus and his Father this was the worst thing that either of them ever had to experience:

Mr 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias (John 19:25) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister,

Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!

   In case you are wondering why Jesus would have said such a thing to John and his mother, it is because Jesus' half-brothers hadn’t been converted yet, so Jesus was giving John the authority to be her spiritual guide and to look out for her physical wellbeing. Jude later trusted his half-brother as his Saviour and probably resumed caring for his mother.

Jn 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there were set a vessel full of vinegar: (Mt 27:48) And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. (Mt 27:49) The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. (Jn 19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: (Lk 23:46) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, (Jn 19:30d) he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

   This concludes part one of what the Bible calls the Gospel of the Grace of God. The sinless life of the Son of God which culminated in his sacrificial death on the cross for your sins and mine. Only two parts to the Gospel remain, not three. Read on.

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Chapter Two

The Death of Christ

   Before we dive into the question of where Jesus was during the three days that his body laid in the tomb, it is important to remind ourselves that it wasn't a Centurion that caused Jesus death on that day and it wasn't the Jews either.

   It wasn't the nails that pierced his hands and feet or the spear that was thrust in his side. It was Jesus alone who allowed himself to die that day. It was for our sins that Jesus lovingly went to the cross and gave his life freely for us:

John 10:17 & 18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

   How could mere mortals think that they could kill the one who is the giver of life? No, Jesus didn't gradually expire because of the wounds to his body.

   People were known to have survived crucifixion for up to three days before dying. When Jesus said, it is finished (that is, God's work for him on earth), He willingly allowed himself to die.

   When Jesus and one of the thieves died, they went to a place called Paradise, which is the same place called Abraham's Bosom in the gospel of Luke. There they awaited resurrection Sunday.

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumpously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell

he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:19-31

   Attention! This is not a Parable! Let me say this very clearly so that there is no mistake, When Jesus says, "It's a parable.", it's a parable! Jesus did not call this a parable because it was not a parable, so ignore the liberals who would say otherwise.

   Oh, by the way, did I mention that Luke 16:19-31 is not a parable, well in case I didn't, It's not! Parables never use real names like Lazarus and Abraham, they always describe nameless people so as not to confuse us. It is the true story of a real place where Jesus and the thief went to for three days and three nights. Just like Jesus said he would in Matthew:

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

   After the death of Jesus some amazing things happened while Jesus remained on the cross, which greatly affected those around him, Jew and Gentile alike.

(Lk 23:45) And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst (Mt 27:51) from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, the rocks rent; (Mr 15:39) And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he glorified God saying, (Lk 23:47b) Certainly this was a righteous man (Mt 27:54f), Truly this man was the Son of God. (Mt 27:54b), and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earth quake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, (Lk 23:48) And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

   Luke says the veil of the temple was ripped down the middle, and Matthew says that it ripped from top to bottom during an earthquake. There are some interesting things to note here. First, if the veil ripped because of the earthquake (Which it didn't) then it would have ripped at its weakest point and not down the middle.

   It would have ripped on either one side or the other depending on which side of the veil the earthquake was occurring because it would have pulled unevenly from that direction. But, the Bible says it ripped right down the middle.

   Which brings up my second point. If the earthquake didn’t rip the veil, then by what or by whom was it rent? No man or group of men could rend it. Historical records say it took over forty men just to move it.

   The veil was four inches thick and for a good reason. It was meant to keep people out who might accidentally fall against it while ministering in the Holy place which the veil separated from the Holy of Holies.

   Only the High Priest could pass through the veil to offer up sacrifices for our sins. The veil was also there to signify that the way to God was not yet made open to us without a perfect human mediator.

   Moses was a mediator just like the Prophets and High Priests were, but Jesus Christ became our perfect and only mediator.

Hebrews 9:7 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

   Luke records that the Centurion that was standing close by Jesus glorified God and said that Jesus was a righteous (Innocent) man. Matthew says that he also said, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

   All that were there that day saw many strange things that no doubt had affected what they thought about Jesus. Then the Son of God breathed his last breath just like he lived his last three and a half years, in an exceptional way. His death was as miraculous as his life was.

(Mr 15:40) There were also women on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

   Jesus was on the Cross all day Wednesday on our Gentile calendar. At sunset Thursday Evening (which is our Wednesday evening) it would have been the beginning of a new day, the fifth day. Remember in Genesis 1:5 that God said, the Evening and the Morning were the First Day.

   We look at it the other way around. At the beginning of the   Sixth Day (our Thursday evening) even today in Israel, the people rush to the stores to buy the supplies they will need for the Seventh Day (Saturday) which begins for them on our Friday evening.

   This was a special week because of Passover so the Preparation day would have begun on our Wednesday Evening because it was a high Sabbath. (The Eve precedes the day in the Bible)

Sun-Mon-Tues-Wednes-Thurs-Fri-Satur

1st    2nd   3rd      4th        5th    6th  7th

At 6 PM on Friday the Jewish Saturday or Sabbath begins.

   This is called the Preparation Day even unto this day. They cannot buy the next day because everything closes early on Friday (the Sixth Day) so that the people will make it home before the Sabbath starts, because there is no selling or buying allowed on the Sabbath Day.

   Travel is restricted to just six tenths of a mile. To understand why Christians worship on the Lords Day (Sunday) instead of on the Sabbath (Saturday) read chapter three.

   The thieves would have to be brought down from their crosses well before the Sabbath Day and the High Sabbath which occurred the day before and buried. So time for the Jews was of a necessity to allow them enough time to finish their work, shop, get home and prepare for the Sabbath.

   When there was a crucifixion on a Thursday the Jews would beg Pilate to allow the soldiers to break the legs of those who had been crucified to speed up their death. But Jesus legs were never broken! Just as King David prophesied a thousand years earlier.

   How they could justify doing that even to criminals just so they could get home before the Sabbath boggles the mind.

   People were known to survive on the cross for up to three days, and no Jew would touch a dead body on the Sabbath or do any work on that day. Those that were still alive would have their legs broken, which would prevent them from pushing up with their feet on the nail and gasping for breath.

   With their legs broken they would die in a manner of minutes by suffocation. If anyone appeared to be dead already, the soldiers would thrust a spear in their side just to make sure.

Jn 19:36 & 37 For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Zechariah 12:10. And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced.

   One has to wonder when reading the Psalm thirty-four if King David had any idea what he was saying when he uttered these prophetic words:

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:20

   The reason why I say this is because if you will read the whole chapter, this verse looks like it has nothing to do with the rest of the chapter. But God knew what he was doing and David was just along for the ride.

Mt 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man (Jn 19:43), Joseph of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: (Lk 23:50e) he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: (Jn 19:38c) but secretly for fear of the Jews, (Mr 15:43e) and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any

while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

   Jesus was charged, convicted and sentenced to death in an illegal Jewish court that convened at night when many had already gone home. Eighteen Jewish laws were broken that night to get rid of the troublemaker.

   Joseph of Arimathea and many others who would have argued on Jesus' behalf were not told of this illegal night court because the leaders didn't want any interference from them.

   Perhaps it was because the Sadducee's and Pharisee's parishioners were leaving them to follow Jesus that they had him killed. Scripture tells us that it was because of envy that Jesus was delivered unto Pilate in the first place:

Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

   I doubt Joseph of Arimathea knew the significant role that he would play in fulfilling Bible prophecy. He probably did all that he did as John said, because he was Jesus disciple and because of his love for Jesus.

46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, (Jn 19:39) And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (Jn 19:41) Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid (Jn 19:42) There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand (Mt 27:60) in his (Joseph's) own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: (Mt 27:60) and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. (Mr 15:47And Mary Magdalene

and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid (Mt 27:61c), sitting over against the sepulchre.

   Because it was late on the Preparation Day Jesus' body had to be buried near the place of his crucifixion.

   Normally they would have more time for burial if the crucifixion were to have taken place earlier in the week.

   Joseph and Nicodemus could not have done it the next morning for obvious reasons. First because their superiors would not have allowed them the time off from their duties as a Counselor (Joseph) and a Ruler of the Jews (Nicodemus) to bury a troublemaking Rabbi. Secondly, for obvious hygienic reasons.

   It would be a very unsanitary thing to leave him unburied until the next day even if he was wrapped in scented clothes.

   Lastly, because they would upset the Jews by burying him while they were preparing for the Sabbath Day.

   But all things were done in accordance with God's plans so that even in Jesus' death he perfectly fulfilled the prophecies concerning him.

   Another interesting thing to note is that when Jesus was brought into this world he was wrapped in swaddling clothes, the very same thing they used to wrap Jesus in for his burial. This, I believe, signified that Jesus was born to die.

Lk 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.(Mt 27:62) Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error

shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

   Isn't it amazing that the enemies of Jesus remembered His words about rising from the dead, but none of his disciples did? The reason being is that Jesus didn't want them to know yet because they probably would have left him prematurely, so Jesus withheld that information from them.

   Why he wanted his enemies to remember his saying is clear. He knew they would do everything they thought was physically possible to prevent his teachings from spreading by placing guards at the tomb to prevent his disciples from stealing his body.

   They unwittingly helped to make it next to impossible for Christianity to grow barring a miracle. Which is exactly what happened.

   Maybe they thought they could force him to remain in the tomb if he should he actually rise from the dead.

   Either way, Jesus was glorified, because now he had Pilates own guards as first hand witnesses to the resurrection. Praise God! What man means for evil, God uses for good.

   Be sure to continue reading, especially chapter three which deals with the resurrection of Christ, because as Paul said:

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Chapter Three

The Resurrection of Christ

   This is it! This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, as far as Christianity is concerned. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

   If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, we might as well eat, drink, and be merry. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, we can believe whatever we want to believe. We can do whatever we want to do, because if Jesus is not the way to Heaven then there is no way to Heaven nor are there any consequences for our sin.

   But Jesus did (physically) rise from the dead after spending three days and three nights in the heart of the earth just like he said he would.

   Something else happened on that resurrection day that needs to be studied. The bodies of many saints arose from their graves and appeared to many people in Jerusalem that day.

Mt 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

   What significance was this event and was it just a one-time occurrence never to be repeated again? The Bible has all the answers you need but you often have to probe to find them.

   God could have just made everything plain and simple for us by laying everything out in chronological order, but He wants us to diligently study His Word to get to know Him more personally.

   Notice that Scripture points out that the BODIES of the Saints SLEPT, not the Saints themselves! All who die in Christ go immediately to be with the Lord. Our bodies sleep awaiting the second resurrection but our spirit and soul go immediately to be with Jesus in Heaven. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian Church:

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

   Jesus Himself went to Hell and preached while His physical body remained in the grave asleep waiting for its resurrection three days later.

   It was Jesus that led the sleeping bodies out of the grave in Jerusalem that day and it was also Jesus that led the believers out of their captivity in Paradise (Abraham's Bosom).

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the

Spirit: 19. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

   Now we'll move on to the events that took place on that resurrection morning:

Mr 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

   It was a Thursday at 3 PM (The ninth hour) that Jesus uttered, it is finished, and laid down his life for the sins of the world. This would have put in him in the heart of the earth for three hours during the day of Thursday at 6PM (3 hours later) it became Friday Night.

   Jesus remained in the heart of the earth for the day of Friday and Saturday Night. Then he stayed in the heart of the earth all day Saturday followed by all of Sunday night.

   Since Jesus said that he would stay in the heart of the earth for 3 days (Matthew 12:40) and 3 nights he had to do just that and do it in the order that he said he would.

   While his body didn’t make it into Joseph’s tomb until the very end of the day Thursday (Around 6PM), his soul immediately was in the heart of the earth at 3PM and remained there for the last 3 hours of the day Thursday.

   A Jewish person would have said 3 nights and 3 days, instead of 3 days and 3 nights as Jesus said, because a day begins the evening before according to Gods Word and not at midnight like we Gentiles like to think.

Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

   So, there should be no controversy about which day Jesus was Crucified (Thursday or Good Friday), because the Scripture is clear that it was on Thursday.

Day 1 = Thursday & Friday Night

Day 2 = Friday & Saturday Night -

Day 3 = Saturday & Sunday Night/Resurrection

Mt 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

   The angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone not to let Jesus out, Jesus could have accomplished that himself being God in the flesh, but instead the Angel opened the door to let everyone else in.

   He let them in to see an empty tomb. Who this angel was is a mystery. Those employed by Joseph of Arimathea fell flat on the ground out of fear when seeing God's messenger seated of all places on top of the stone that was rolled away.

   Meanwhile, the women were about to arrive at the tomb and they remembered the size of the stone as they were walking:

Mr 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

   The angel of the Lord must have left his perch on the stone just prior to the women arriving because he was not there and neither were the keepers anywhere to be found at this time.

   This is the last time that the Angel of the Lord is mentioned as appearing to anyone concerning the resurrection.

   John records Mary Magdalene's actions while being silent about those that were with her, namely Mary the mother of James and Salome who is mentioned in Mark's account.

   Mark and John's gospels are not in error, as the Liberals like to point out when discussing this "supposed" discrepancy, Mark had simply given more details than John did regarding this aspect of the resurrection.

Jn 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

   Notice there was no mention of any angels or the two appearances of Jesus to them because these were still yet to happen. The women would return and see these things after Peter and John had left the tomb.

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

   John is said to be the first disciple that believed in a resurrected Saviour because of verse eight but Scripture points out that it wasn't until later that day that the disciples believed after seeing the resurrected Christ for themselves.

   We sometimes pick on Thomas and call him doubting Thomas, but Scripture points out that all the disciples doubted Jesus resurrection until they had seen Him with their own eyes. Verse nine supports this:

Jn 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. (Lk 24:4) And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout,

   Notice that the disciples were not excited but were rather, "much perplexed" and went back to their home. This was not the response we would expect from two people who just had found out that their Saviour had risen from the dead.

   In fact, John 20:9 stated that they didn't know the Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead even though Jesus had told them of it often.

Jn 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepluchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet. where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

   When the women saw the two men (angelic messengers) they were afraid, not just by their sudden appearance in a graveyard but by their radiant appearance as well. They had on garments that shined like nothing they had ever seen before.

   Another reason that the angels were there was to proclaim Jesus' glorious resurrection from the dead. Imagine what the women might have thought had the angels not been there after they arrived at the tomb the second time that Sunday morning?

   They would have doubted his resurrection themselves had it not been for these heavenly messengers who were sent from God to strengthen their faith. When they heard the angels remind them of Jesus' sayings while he was in Galilee they were fully convinced of His resurrection:

   And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. Mark 9:30 & 31

   We have the same privilege today as those angels did two thousand years ago, and that is to proclaim the good news of a risen Saviour. Do you remember what happened when the women told the disciples later? They did not believe them.

   Now the two ladies enter the tomb and see yet a third angel sitting in the place that was reserved as the burial place for the wife of Joseph of Arimathea.

Mr 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. (Luke 24:4c) behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Why seek ye the living among the dead? Ye seek Jesus of Nazereth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: into behold the place where they laid him. (Mt 28:7) And go quickly, and tell his disciples (Mr 16:7b and Peter) that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him (Mr 28:7d) as he said unto you): 6 when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. lo, I have told you. 8 And they remembered his words,

   The angel told them that Jesus was risen from the dead and he told them what they were to do with the good news.

   They were to go and tell His disciples that He had risen from the dead and that they were to go into Galilee to see Him just like He said the night of His betrayal while on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane:

Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, (I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad Zechariah 13:7). But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Jesus' First appearance:

Mr 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. (John 20:14b) she (Mary) turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (Mr 16:8) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid (Mt 28:8b); and did run to bring his disciples word. (Mt 28:9) And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

   Here we have Jesus' second appearance to Mary Magdalene in just a matter of a few minutes from when he appeared unto her back at the tomb. If youll notice, she was told not to touch him while they were at the tomb.

   The reason for Jesus telling the former demon possessed prostitute from Magdala not to touch him was not because of her past. We are all sinners in Gods eyes and we are just as guilty for our sin as Mary was for her own, and we deserve to pay for our sins in the Lake of Fire just as Mary does.

   The reason that she could not touch Jesus immediately following his resurrection was that Jesus had to ascend into Heaven and pour his sinless blood on Gods mercy seat to obtain the complete forgiveness of sins for you and me.

   To touch any sinner would have made Jesus unclean by the virtue of their sin and thus render Himself unable to present His sinless blood to the Father in Heaven.

   The Priest had for centuries practiced this very thing on a yearly basis to atone for the sins of the Nation of Israel. Now Jesus was doing it once and for all for you and for the entire world to obtain our eternal redemption.

   No more would the blood of goats, bulls and lambs have to be shed for sinful mankind.

   When Jesus met the ladies the second time immediately following His ascension and descension from Heaven He commanded the ladies worship Him while they were on their way back to tell the disciples the good news.

Mt 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

   This would be the second trip some of the women made to and from the tomb that Sunday morning. Apparently, they were all staying nearby, some possibly stayed at Josephs of Arimathea’s house.

Mt 28:11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will

persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the jews until this day.

   All that was needed by the Religious and Political leaders of that day to silence Christianity forever was to produce the body of Jesus three days after his crucifixion. They couldnt!

   So they were forced to make up a story that no sincere person would have believed if they would have just taken a moment to think it through.

   Ask yourself, "Would the disciples all be willing to live they life of outcasts all to maintain a story they knew was untrue?" Of course not!

   Would they be willing to be tortured and killed for something they knew was a lie? No! Would they risk eternal torment in Hell for preaching a way of salvation that they knew themselves was false? Absolutely not!

Jn 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (Luke 24:9b) And told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. (Mr 16:10b) as they mourned and wept (Mr 16:11) And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

   All eleven were present and none of them believed as of yet, not even Peter and John who had allready been to the tomb earlier that morning.

The Road to Emmaus:

Mr 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. (Lk 24:13) And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all

these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepluchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures.

   Jesus appeared different to them and they didn't recognize him because God blinded their eyes to him so that he appeared as someone else.

   It wasn't until after he told them what they needed to hear that he opened their eyes. The world needs to have their eyes opened to who Jesus is before it is too late. I hope you are telling the Gospel to this blind world.

 

Chapter Four

And he was Seen!

   This final chapter is all the evidence anyone could ever need or want to prove that Jesus did die for your sins, and that three days later he rose from the dead, just as he said he would, and was seen of many witnesses.

   Today we cannot see the risen Christ, but we can be blessed with eternal life if we will accept by faith, Jesus as our Saviour and the only substitute who can pay our sin debt.

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

ONE WEEK LATER

Mr 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. (Lk 24:33) And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. (Jn 20:19) 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, (Mr 16:14) he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and

upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. (Lk 24:36) and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet (Jn 20:20) and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (Lk 24:41) And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

   This account is to help us to refute the heresy preached by the Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus did not have a Physical body after his resurrection which he himself clearly pointed out that he did by his actions of eating and allowing his body to be felt.

Jn 20:21 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. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

EIGHT DAYS LATER

John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto

you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

   Did you notice what doubting Thomas called Jesus after he saw Him this time? My Lord and my God! Jesus is God in the flesh!

AFTER THAT:

Jn 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately: and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there

were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

   Be sure to pay close attention to the following two verses which undeniably state that not just Thomas thought that Jesus

was God in the flesh but that all the disciples now believed he was as well.

Mt 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Mr 16:15) Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mt 28:19) baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mr 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Matthew 16:20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the of the world. Amen.

   Notice that the Twelve were given this commission and it had signs following their faith, because the Kingdom Church was made up of only Jews and while the Kingdom was still being offered the signs would still accompany their faith.

   The word translated tongues simply means languages and nothing more. For more on tongues and gifts see the study above.

Lk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And

ye are witnesses of these things. 49 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. (Acts 1:4) 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. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 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. 8 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.

Jesus Ascension

Lk 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven (Acts 1:9) ..,and a cloud recieved him out of their sight. (Mr 16:19).., and sat on the right hand of God. (Acts 1:10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

   Remember that Jesus left visibly with a Physical body and will return visibly with a Physical body. Once again, the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim it was a spirit. John would call them Anti-Christs:

Lk 24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Mr 16:20) And

they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Jn 21:25) And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (Jn 20:30) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

   We are told by Paul that today we must believe and trust in Christ' death, burial and resurrection in order to be saved while the Jew under the Gospel of the Kingdom message had to believe as Peter did that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God. There are similarities but they are still a bit different.

 

The End