December 6, 2023

The Breadth Of What Is Coming

“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’     And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

John 20:21-22 (NASB)

            Context is important in studying God's Word. I remember a college professor who said, “Context is king in studying the Word of God.” Context is about reading the whole passage, not stealing some words and trying to define them. This passage has been improperly interpreted at times because someone took the entire passage out of context. I hope this short study will give you something to think about when seeing the promise of what is coming in Acts 1 and 2.

             “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” No Christian who has suffered through death or turmoil this time of year knows this verse better. It is a promise from Jesus to His disciples. We too, who know Christ as Savior are His disciples. The word “Peace” here in verse 21 doesn’t mean peace as many have used it to say Jesus meant He provided peace to the disciples. He is peace! It is simply a greeting, like “peace be to this house,” when visiting someone’s home. This was a common greeting. If so, this meaning could be interpreted as Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit (as mentioned in the next verse) to the disciples at this time. The true meaning of this verse is a commission to the disciples to get ready to “Go” as in Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission). The reality of this verse helps us to understand there would be no second impartation of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1 and 2). “And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” MacArthur says, “Since the disciples did not actually receive the Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost, some 40 days in the future (Acts 1:8; 2:1-3), this statement must be understood as a pledge on Christ’s part that the Holy Spirit would be coming.”[1] The word breathe here is as simple as a breath of air exhaled. “The presence of the Lord among them now was a slight and temporary fulfilment of His promise of returning to them; and so the imparting of the Spirit now, was a symbol and foretaste of that which they should receive at Pentecost: —just as, to mount a step higher, that itself, in its present abiding with us, is but the first-fruits and pledge (Rom. 8:23: 2 Cor. 1:22) of the fulness which we shall hereafter inherit.”[2] Another commentator says, “It may be difficult to find the most appropriate expression to translate the verb receive as it is used here. A literal rendering would sometimes imply ‘taking in one’s hands,’ which is obviously not meant. A fuller expression may be required in some languages, for example, ‘accept the Holy Spirit in your lives.’ ‘Welcome the Holy Spirit in your hearts,’ or ‘make room for the Holy Spirit within you.’”[3] The Spirit was on His way, but it wouldn’t be for now. God knew the timing.

            We who know Jesus Christ as Savior receive the Holy Spirit upon new birth in Christ. The disciples didn’t receive Him until 40 days after Jesus departed. We have a guiding Spirit living within us. The disciples didn’t at this time, but it was coming. They managed to be obedient (for the most part), to Jesus’ commands, but when they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they would be a powerhouse for Jesus. What is stopping each of us today? Why doesn’t our lives reflect the Powerhouse that resides within each of us daily?

[1] (MacArthur, John, 1997). 1627.

[2] Alford, H. (1976). (Vol. 1, p. 910). Guardian Press.

[3] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). (p. 615). United Bible Societies.