Week 41   Day 4

Pentecost meant that

            the presence

            and the power

of the invisible Christ

            were just as real now

            or even more real if that is possible

than his presence and power were

            when Jesus walked on earth 

The earthly Jesus was only one person

            and could be

            in only one place

            at a time

The Holy Spirit is spirit

            and can be in all persons

            and in all places 

            at all times 

The Holy Spirit

            is Jesus

            in the present tense

The spirit of Jesus

            is not confined

            to a single person

but is generously given

            to all

            who will receive 

The Holy Spirit is sometimes called

            our Helper

            or Comforter

meaning the one who gives us strength.

                                         OPPOSITION

 In and out of jail, beaten, full of joy and renewed energy!

                                               Acts 5

    17Then the high priest, and those who were with him, were

filled with indignation, 18and laid their hands on the apostles

and put them in the common prison.  19But at night an angel

of the Lord opened the prison doors and said, 20"Go, stand

in the temple and speak to the people all the words of life." 
    21The high priest called the council together, with all the

elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought

out.  22But when the officers came and did not find them in

prison, they reported, 23saying, "Indeed we found the prison

shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the

doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!"

    24When the council heard these things, they wondered
what the outcome would be. 25Then one came and told them,
saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing
in the temple and teaching the people!" 

     29So the captain went with the officers and brought them

without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be

stoned.  27They set them before the council.  The high priest

asked them, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in

this name?  And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your

doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"

    29But Peter and the other apostles answered:  "We ought to

obey God rather than men.  30The God of our fathers raised up

Jesus.   31Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince

and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."

   33When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill

them.  34Then a Pharisee named Gamaliel said, 35"Take heed. 

36Some time ago, Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. 

About four hundred men joined him.  He was slain, and all who

obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.  37After this,

Judas of Galilee rose up and drew many people after him.  He

also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.  38Now

I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if

this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39but if it is of God,

you cannot overthrow it--lest you be found to fight against God."

    40They agreed with him, and when they had beaten the apostles,

they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus,

and let them go.  41So the apostles departed, rejoicing that they
were worthy to suffer shame for His name.  Daily in the temple, and
in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching. 
               _{This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV}

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