βαπτίζωbaptízō, bap-tid’-zo; from a derivative of G911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:—Baptist, baptize, wash.
Immersion is important because only this mode preserves the significance of baptism as a burial.
Repentance in the Bible is symbolic of death to sin and to the ungodly life before the encounter with Jesus Christ.
Spiritually speaking, when a person repents, he is actually coming to the cross of Calvary.
The old carnal nature is crucified to Christ.
After death to sin, a person must be buried with Jesus by baptism.
But how is a person buried?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Scriptures about being Baptized
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:18 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 8:38-39 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Jesus commanded the apostles in Matt 28:19 to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles of the one God that reveal aspects of His relationship to humanity. God has revealed Himself as Father incarnation
God revealed Himself in the Son for our redemption
He is the Holy Spirit who regenerates and dwells within the believer.
There is one supreme name of salvation that encompasses these three titles and works they represent. That name is Jesus.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Father was revealed in the name of Jesus
John 5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
The name given to the Son was Jesus
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Jesus opened the disciples’ understanding to this truth of the name of Jesus
Luke 24:45 Then opened he (Jesus) their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
Because these cities failed to repent, they were destroyed by fire.
JONAH Preach to the people Nineveh.
The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, Jesus said this fact would condemn those who refused to repent in our generation.
Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
He commanded everyone in Judea to repent and prepare their hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:4 (KJV) John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus proclaimed:
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
The last words of Jesus before His ascension commanded repentance
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Repentance is the initial step in the plan of salvation preached by Peter and the other apostles.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you is the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter Preaches Christ/God’s Plan for Us THE DAY OF PENTECOST
The Feast of Pentecost was a holy day in Israel fifty days after the Passover. Jews from all over the Roman Empire were gathered at Jerusalem.
The news spread fast of what took place in the upper room.
Jesus had promised the disciples that the day would come when their hearts would be filled with joy that no one could take away. The baptism of the Holy Ghost was that promise.
John 16:22-24 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full
Peter later described it as Joy unspeakable.
Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing. ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
As the disciples continued to rejoice, suddenly amazement rippled through the crowd like a wave
The multitudes of foreign Jews began to hear the disciples praising God in their own native languages. They know the disciples had no way of knowing these languages.
Some asked” What meaneth this?”
Others dismissed the whole event by accusing the disciples of being drunk.
PETER PREACHES
Peter heard their false accusations of drunkenness and immediately stood up in the disciples’ defense.
Peter was not the same fearful man who had cowardly denied his Lord as Jesus was being led to be crucified.
It was a man who was given power from on high through the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
It was Jesus who foresaw events when He gave Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Peter was ready to use those keys
This time his words were not words of defeat but of victory.
PETER PREACHES WITH POWER
Peter preached with power that only the anointing of the Holy Spirit can give.
His message began with
Acts 2:14-15 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
This was Fulfillment of Joel’s Prophecy
prophecy
An inspired utterance of a prophet, viewed as revelation of divine will.
A prediction of Un future made under divine inspirations.
Such an inspired message or prediction transmitted orally or in writing.
Peter declared that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost was the fulfillment of Joel’s wonderful prophecy that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions
The Exalted Christ
Peter climaxed his sermon by declaring that God had made that same Jesus, whom they had crucified, both Lord and Christ
Conviction gripped the hearts of the people as Peter preached
In desperation and heart felt sincerity, they cried out to Peter and to the rest of the apostles.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION
“What shall we do?” was all important to them. They wanted to know how to be saved.
The responsibility rested on Peter’s shoulders to deliver the New Testament plan for salvation.
Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom, now he was ready to use the keys and without hesitation, Peter’s voice boomed out the following:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
By obeying God’s command to repent of their sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, they were promised the same baptism of the Holy Ghost that the 120 had received that same day.
In the next verse, Peter extended the promise of the Holy Ghost to all believers throughout the church age until Jesus comes again
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Peter spoke many other words, exhorting the crowd to save themselves without delay.
By the time Peter had finished, 3000 souls presented themselves for baptism in Jesus’ name
Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The Birth of the Church 1. THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST Prior to Jesus’ ascension, He told his disciples not to begin their ministry yet but to wait in the city of Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:49 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.
Isaiah 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
The preaching of the gospel was to be done under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 1:8 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.
Among them were Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brothers, and the twelve disciples.
For approximately 7-10 days they remained there in constant prayer and supplication. Then the Jewish feast day of Pentecost arrived.
sup pli-cate (sp-k) v. sup-pli-cat-ed sup-pli-cat-ing sup-pli-cates – 1. To ask for humbly or carnestly, as by praying. 2. To make a humble entreaty to; beseech-intr To make a humble, earnest petition; beg
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren,
Acts 2 records the outpouring of the Holy Ghost
Acts 2:1-3 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
One of the miracles that took place in the upper room was when they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance,
This was the initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The disciples began to speak with other tongues, glorifying God in languages that they had never learned.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
This is a question that Jesus asked his disciples.
Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
A diligent comparison of the Old Testament Scriptures with the New Testament reveals that He is God manifest in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
According to John 4:23-24, the one God is a Spirit.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
He is God, He is God with us
Isaiah 7:14 (KGV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
He is the mighty God, the everlasting Father
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,
He is the one who created us
Colossians 1:15-16 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
As a man He hungered, slept, was weary, wept, and prayed.
As God He fed the five thousand, healed the sick, raised the dead, and answered prayers.
The Pharisees asked Him
John 8:19-24 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
John 14:10-11 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself
2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Ephesians 4:5-6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
James 2:19 (KGV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The Great Commission is recorded in each of the three Synoptic Gospels
Jesus commanded the disciples to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name to all nations.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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.
Luke 24:45-49 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things And, hehold, 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
1. THE ELEMENTS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
Belief
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
Repentance
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47
Water Baptism
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
The Holy Ghost
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
Teaching
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
Healing
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. Mark 16:18
2. JESUS’ ASCENSION
Jesus led the disciples to a place on the Mount of Olives near Bethany.
He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father and they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost in not many days.
As the disciples looked skyward, two men stood by them in white apparel.
The two men told the disciples that the same Jesus who was taken from them up into heaven would return in like manner.
Acts 1:1-11 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 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. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 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. 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. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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.
God’s plan was for the Messiah to come forth out of the grave, death could not hold Him.
Jesus predicted how long He would be in the grave.
Matthew 12:39-41 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here,
1. A WATCH PUT OVER HIS GRAVE
The chief priests were afraid that the disciples would steal the body of Jesus, then claim that Jesus had risen.
Pilate put guards around the grave and secured it the best way possible.
Matthew 27:63-65 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 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.
2. JESUS CAME FORTH
There efforts to keep Jesus in the tomb were to no avail. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
The keepers of the tomb (guards) shook and became like dead men.
Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and the mother of James, and Salome, along with others made their way to the tomb. They wanted to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. As they came close they wondered who rolled the stone away. Christ was risen! The tomb was empty.
Matthew 28:1-8 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
3. MANY SAW HIM
After His resurrection, about 500 people saw Him.
1 Corinthians 15:4-8 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 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. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
The Road to Calvary: The last week of Christ’s life he many prophecies were fulfilled and demonstrated the compassion of Jesus for His Friends and enemies.
The Triumphal Entry
As Jesus and His disciples came near Jerusalem, He sent two of them to a nearby village with instructions to return with a colt that they would find.
Jesus instructed them as to what to say.
A great crowd of people greeted him spreading garments in the path of the donkey.
Fulfilling Zechariah 9:9
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew 21:1-5 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
The Multitudes cried out:
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
In a few days these same people would be screaming “Crucify Him”
The Last Supper
The next event that occurred during the week before the crucifixion is known as the Last Supper: Matthew 26:17-29
Every year, the Jews kept the Feast of the Passover in remembrance of their delivery from Egyptian slavery
During the week before Jesus was crucified, at the Passover meal, Jesus instituted something new to the disciples and said:
Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Jesus revealed to His disciples that this meal would have a new special meaning. It is called the Lords Supper and it signifies that Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us
1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I have received of the Lord that which also I deliverered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Paul explained the meaning of the scripture as follows:
The bread represents Christ’s body.
The fruit of the wine symbolizes His blood.
This ordinance is to be observed.
This ordinance should be continued until the Lord’s return.
1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
Before Jesus instituted this supper, He said:
Matthew 26:20-25 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me, And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it 1? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
GETHSEMANE
Following the supper, Jesus and His disciples came to the Garden of Gethsemane. He told eight of them of remain behind while He went to pray.
He took Peter, James, and John.
He became very sorrowful and heavy at the prospect of His betrayal and crucifixion.
He began to pray.
Matthew 26:40-41 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
BETRAYED
Sometime later, He woke the disciples and said:
Matthew 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas came with a multitude armed with swords and clubs.
Judas came to Jesus and said:
Matthew 26-49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master, and kissed him.
This was the prearranged signal to identify Christ to the mob.
The Trial
Jesus’ trial was a mockery.
Arrangements for false witnesses had been made to testify against Him so that Jesus would be put to death.
They spit in Jesus’ face.
They struck Him with their hands.
Matthew 26:57-60 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven, Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying. He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying. Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? Now Peter sat without in the palace; and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee,
Following these tragic events, Jesus was led from Caiaphas to Pilate; Pilate was the governor over Judea and was responsible for carrying out the death penalty on criminals.
After questioning Jesus, Pilate said to the Jews:
Luke 23:14 Said unto them. Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
John 18:39-40 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying. Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber
In their frenzy they rejected the Son of God and chose a criminal.
JESUS BEATEN
Little did they know that prophecy was being fulfilled by men of God years before.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
The stripes that Jesus took on His body was the price paid for our healing
Many years later Peter said’:
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Healing of the sick is one of the signs that follow believers, Jesus said:
Mark 16:17-18 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.
A parable is an earthy story with a spiritual application
Through parables Jesus used a “known” to reveal an “unknown”.
Jesus spoke many parables; three are discussed below.
1. THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
Matthew 13:1-9 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The interpretation are as follows:
Matther 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty.
This parable should cause you to ask a question.
What kind of soil are you?
The lessons of this parable are:
The seed is the Word of God
The wayside soil represents those who hear the Word but do not understand it
The stony soil represents those who hear the Word and receive it for a moment, but
when temptation comes, they fall away because they are not grounded in the Word
The thorny ground represents those who hear the Word and begin to bear fruit but
They allow the cares and pleasures of life grow in their life
The good ground represents those who hear the Word, understand it, and obey it.
2. THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
What price will you pay?
Although Jesus did not interpret this parable, many scholars believe that it represents the search of humanity for the gospel
All of life is a search for the very best The most valuable thing in the world is the gospel message – God’s plan for salvation
When truth is found, it is worth giving up anything and everything in order to obtain it.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
3. THE TALENTS
Matthew 25:14-25 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
What will you do with your life?
The talents represents how we use what God gives us.
The man who traveled to a far country represents the Lord, before He left, He distributed His money – five talents, two talents, and one talent
Each servant used the talents differently
The one who had the most used his talents the most; he invested, and his investment paid good dividends.
Likewise so did the man with the two talents
The one that had one talent was too fearful to take any risk and so did nothing
The man who did nothing was called wicked and slothful
Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothfulservant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
It is difficult to work in fear, but when we are working for the Lord, we need never fear. Our sole concern should be to please Him.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Many among the chief rulers also believed on Jesus but would not confess Him for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.
Mark 12:37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
JESUS AND NICODEMUS
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night and said to him:
John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus did not come questioning: he came to Jesus with a compliment; but Jesus brought the conversation to a more important matter: how can a person see God’s kingdom and enter into it?
Ye Must be Born Again
Jesus said that the only way a person can see and enter the kingdom is to be born again.
Nicodemus could only associate it with a natural birth.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God
Water and Spirit
Being “Born Again” consists of two elements; water and Spirit.
Water refers to baptism in water and the Spirit to the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
THE PROMISE TO ALL BELIEVERS
Jesus went to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles.
There He made a dramatic and most significant statement.
John 7:37-39 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. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Some observations:
The promise is to any person
The qualifying factor is that a person must thirst
Must come to Jesus
To receive this promise must believe in Jesus
The rivers of living water that will flow out of the believer are the Spirit (The Holy Ghost)
At that time, the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Jesus has now been glorified, and the Holy Ghost is given.
From the Day of Pentecost, even to this day, the promise has been for all who believe.
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