BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD - PART 21

Take off your shoes for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. Indeed, be still and know that I am God. 


The bush burned and yet, was not consumed. So they tarried at Jerusalem, numbering 120 persons. This group had been assembling in an upper room for ten days by this point. The eleven apostles were in attendance and Mary along with other women were all united in prayer and supplication (Acts 1). Within the assembly, they democratically chose another apostle by casting lots through prayer. Two names were on the ballot. They prayed that the Lord would direct the selection (Acts 1:24)

Mathias was chosen. Mathias, he then being numbered with the other apostles restoring the number of apostles to twelve. The underlying requirements for 'apostleship' were outlined in the scriptures. Also note that Mary continued with the others in prayer. She was not singled out to be distinct as suggested by some organizations today. They all, including Mary, continued with one accord. In fact, they all assembled in anticipation of what was to come. 

In this context, you will remember that they had previously heard the Master Jesus, and even John the baptist make mention in the scriptures of future occurrences concerning Jesus. Often, they had heard the statement, "He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." And they, similarly recalling that Jesus had breathed on them saying, "Receive you the Holy Spirit."


But equally important for us seeking salvation today, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you, and out of your innermost being, shall spring rivers of living waters. Greater is He that will be in you than he that is in the world." And when He, the spirit of truth is come, He will bring all things to your remembrance concerning all that I have said to you in our days together. He will lead and guide you into all truth. Except a man be born again, he cannot see, neither can he enter the Kingdom of God. The scriptures go further. The scriptures state that these signs shall follow them that believe (Mark 16). At the last supper, for example, they witnessed and heard Jesus saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Divide this wine among yourselves. Drink you all of it," 


He did likewise with bread, saying that this was "His body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." This is not transubstantiation. Why? Because there is no transubstantiation. (Luke 22) So the 120 believers entertaining all these unknowns continued with prayer and supplication with one accord right into the day of Pentecost. Suddenly, there came a sound from Heaven, like the noise of a mighty rushing wind, the sound filled all the house where they sat. As the scriptures state, here appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire.  These cloven tongues sat on each of them. At this time, they were all filled with His holy spirit and they began to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. Lo, the entrance of the new covenant of grace, where God said, "I will be to them God and they shall be to me a people." 


It is for this reason that the Heavens are open to the whosoever that will come. Stand in the offering plate. Peace be in Jesus.