The book of Acts begins with the resurrected Christ, upon his resurrection having spent 40 days with his disciples, teaching them about the dynamics of the kingdom of God. 0 how we wish we were given the details of the teachings as taught by the Master himself. Before we go into the Acts itself, we will visit Christ and his disciples as he spent some time with them just a few days before he went to Calvary. He said some amazing things on that occasion, some of which we will rehearse in this study. Much of what Jesus said during this period, seemingly, have been missed or ignored by ministers of the gospel involving just about all religious organizations.

Many sermons have been preached from John 14 highlighting the theme: "In my Father's house are many mansions." This time, we will highlight a different portion of the chapter. Please pay keen attention as we proceed! Jesus is with his disciples as he began to outline his passion that awaited him in a day or two. Bear in mind that at this juncture the disciples were natural, ordinary men. In other words, they were not yet converted. But in spite of their unconverted state of mind, Jesus opened up an important subject that mirrored his departure and pending death to be followed by his appearance at Pentecost. This is the portion of the lesson that continues to be missed by members of the clergy and Christians at large. Jesus began by saying: "If ye love me, keep my commandments, and l will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him." Here Christ is describing the Spirit of truth. Observe where, and how, he explained the reality of the Spirit of truth; "but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be IN YOU."

Now he points to Pentecost and his visit there. "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you". John 14:15-18. Let us repeat this scenario for good measure and a clear understanding. Jesus introduced the subject of the "Spirit of truth" but to complicate the issue, he said the world cannot receive this spirit of truth, because it does not know him, neither sees him, but he assured the disciples that they know him, for he dwells with them and shall be IN THEM, which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. The term "with you and shall be in you" should not be overlooked or taken for granted. Here is Jesus (the man) saying that presently, he is with them but shall be in them.

This truth that was new to the disciples must have triggered all sorts of questions. Unfortunately, across the vast realm of Christendom, little, or nothing is being said to add virtue and divine truth to the concept that Christ introduced. He did promise that he would "Come to them" but notice how the man Christ Jesus applied the complicated truths about himself. When the Holy Ghost fell upon at least 120 souls on the day of Pentecost, that was Christ coming to his disciples as he promised in verse 18. Before Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ was in no one, for the Holy Ghost could only be given after Christ was glorified.

Thus, we read: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this he spoke of the Holy Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37,38. Let us consider a pragmatic promise that Jesus uttered. "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23. This means to be tabernacled in them; like in the statement: "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us". Meaning "to be tabernacled in us."

Let us consider another aspect of Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. It was now 50 days since Jesus died and rose again. His death was brutal in every way that applies to a human being. He was brutally beaten, with his flesh falling from his body under the heavy lashes of the Roman whips. His death was so profound that the sun became dim and the earth shook violently in so much a Roman guard remarked, "truly this was the Son of God." Peter preached his first sermon to a massive number of people, and considering all these facts, we could reasonably infer that it was an ideal moment for God to arise in anger and pronounce righteous judgment upon the masses.

After only 50 days, all the events that shook Jerusalem, sending their echoes down the corridor of time to this our day, must have remained fresh in the eyes of God the Father. But a day or so after Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, he and John on their way to the temple at the hour of prayer, where they encountered a crippled man at the gate of the temple seeking alms. The healing of this man brought both disciples into public recognition and conflict with the religious leaders of the temple. Peter began a new sermon which was in reply to the threats they received from the Priestly Order of the Church.

Peter said: "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." Here, Peer is rehearsing the facts of the events that overtook the city and outlying towns, counties and villages. But up to this juncture, Peter was not inspired by the Holy Spirit to pronounce God's wrath and certain judgment for all that His Son had undergone. Peter justified all of the events so far, concerning Christ and his death. He said: "But those things Which God before had shewed by the mouth ofall the prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled." At this juncture, and in spite of what the records held against the multitudes, Peter brought a new sermon—one that was not filled with expressions of God's wrath and pending judgment.

In view of all that transpired and being cognizant of God's mercies. Peter reached back into the realm of the Holy Spirit and brought forth a new sermon. Listen to the good news: "Repent ye therefore, (meaning to have a change of hear)t, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.: And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Look at the tapestry of good things that Peter had, concealed in his sermon: "Whom the heaven must receive." The word receive in this verse means, "whom the heavens must hold or retain until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."Acts 3:13-15-18,19.

Notice carefully events that pertain to the coming of the Lord as being proclaimed by countless numbers of preachers around the world by ministers of all races, creeds, ethnic origin, and sexes. Yes, there will definitely a time of refreshing coming from the presence of the Lord and Jesus Christ will be the Master in charge. But in the meantime, while we wait for the times of refreshing to come from the presence of the Lord, we are obliged to bear in mind, that Jesus Christ will be held in the heavens until the times of restitution of all things. In other words, God has already seat aside a period called the times of restitution of all things. Acts 3:21. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians wrote this powerful truth! "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself."

How does he plan to accomplish this mighty task? By not imputing their trespasses unto them. In other words, by not laying their sins to their charge. 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20. "The Deliverer shall come out of Zion, who will turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Romans 11:25,26.

To be continued...