He Lives by Bill Boldham
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32-33
Fifty days after Jesus was crucified, forty seven days after being raised from the dead, and ten days after ascending into heaven, our living Lord was mindful of His promise to His waiting church. Jesus Christ was slaughtered on the first Jewish feastday—Passover. It was on the second Jewish feastday, the feast of firstfruits (Pentecost) that the Holy Spirit fell on 120 believers waiting in an upper room in Jerusalem.
On that day, Jesus brought His church to life by filling them with His Holy Spirit. On that day, Peter preached the gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time, and about 3000 people believed and were baptized. Jesus lived about thirty three years on earth. Once He sat down in heaven with all authority, Jesus would live on earth through His Holy Spirit living inside of all who believe. This is what Paul testified to when he wrote:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
We see in the healing of the lame man in the temple, Jesus at work through Peter and John, for it was in His name they healed the man. All the work that the apostles did was in the name of Jesus; they claimed no power of their own. Wherever they went, and whatever they did, it was to the glory of God and not themselves. Not only did they not seek the praise of men, they completely rejected and refused it.
We see Jesus watching over His church. His apostles were placed in prison, but promptly that night, Jesus sent an angel to open the prison door and let them out. Another time, Herod arrested and imprisoned Peter, putting him under four squads of soldiers. (Peter won’t get away this time, he thought). Peter was bound with two chains between two soldiers and guards keeping the door. But his church family was praying for him, and God sent an angel and set him free. Jesus lives and has His way in the affairs of His people.
Jesus arranged a meeting between Peter and a Gentile Roman officer. Through His Holy Spirit, Jesus led Peter to preach the gospel to the man and his family and friends, and they were saved and baptized. Our living Lord stopped a man named Saul who was persecuting the church. Jesus saved him and made Paul His apostle to the Gentiles.
Jesus’ working in His church has not been limited to the first century, or the nineteenth century, but to this very hour, He is working. At the present time, His heart is with His church, His bride. Christ loves His church and, “…gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless…the Lord nourishes and cherishes His church.” Ephesians 5:25-29
Jesus Christ lives! He is the Center Person and Head of His church to the glory of God the Father. He lives to recue all men from this perishing world, and eternal destruction; He lives to draw all men to Himself that they might be saved and live with Him and the Father forever. And, Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He ever lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 Jesus Christ Lives and He Loves you!
Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net