And With Great Power Gave the Apostles Witness of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus And Great Grace Was Upon Them All - Part 1281

When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Therein, the scriptures declare that they were all baptized with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." (Acts 2:1-4)

Who was in attendance? Peter and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas (the brother of James), with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren. And in those days Peter stood in the midst and the disciples, ad said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty),

"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus, for he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry." (Acts 1:14-17; Psalms 69:25; Psalms 109:8; John 17:12)

As a consequence, Matthias was appointed to be numbered with the eleven through lots. (Acts 1:26) And when again these were of one accord, there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:2)

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the Word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31)

"For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the "name" of Thy holy child Jesus." (Acts 4:27-30)

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

The question is this. What happened to the fire? Or better still, who put the fire out? Certainly, the early believers went everywhere preaching and boldly proclaiming the good news gospel message of our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Note that salvation is obtainable to whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord JESUS! Why? Because the Lord God who created us became as one of us so that we could have eternal life in Him, experiencing His joy and peace and mercy and love. Yes, this is why Christians believe that JESUS is LORD. This same God became human because He loved us. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6) Jesus -- He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-42)

But this JESUS is not a number two Lord, or a part of a tri-une God as the modern day religious culture presents. Rather, JESUS is the One and Only Lord who reigns over all. The King of kings and Lord of lords. God manifest in the flesh. Not another but the one and same God who created the earth in the beginning. And thus, neither is there salvation in any other name other than the name of JESUS. (Acts 4:12)

Yes, the name of JESUS is ABOVE every other name in heaven and on earth.

So if you are looking for someone superior to JESUS, then you need to stop looking. For the ONLY GOD that man will ever see is JESUS. As the scriptures state, JESUS said, "I and My Father are One." (John 10:30) Like Philip, who was determined to see the Father asked JESUS, "Show us the Father and we will be satisfied." JESUS replied to Philip, saying, "Have I been so long time with you Philip and yet you have not known Me? Philip, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father." (John 14:7-9)

So as Jesus queried -- if I am the Father manifest as a Son, why are you now saying that you are looking to see the Father to be satisfied? JESUS is God manifest in the flesh as a Son. (I Timothy 3:16) God is Spirit but because one cannot see Spirit, there had to be a physical body. The Word made flesh. (John 1:1-18)

God Himself veiled in flesh appearing in fashion as a man, even as we are. (John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6) The Holy Spirit of God was in the man JESUS the Christ - not as a different person, or two persons, or three persons but rather JESUS as God HIMSELF with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) God as a Son fathered all of His children in a son’s body. Therefore, He that has the Son has life.

The scriptures further states that we - being you and I - must all be born again of water and of the Spirit to enter into the Kingdom of God! This is not the old covenant, or a revival of the old covenant of law, but a new testament written in blood whereby a much greater person than Moses was here. In fact, Moses was part of God's house but at the end of the day, JESUS is the builder of His own house - a house comprised of believers.

The TRUE ISRAEL OF GOD - read ACTS chapter 2:37-42. Follow the instructions given by Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost. Recognize that more than anything, He wants to fill you with His Spirit so that His spiritual gifts and wisdom can flow through us. So that we can be filled to overflowing with His joy and mercy. Like David who said, "My cup runneth over!" (Psalm 23)

And never forget how much our Lord God loved us -- that He would willingly shed His blood on a cross for you and I. His name in this current covenant of grace is Jesus. The greatest name known to mankind. The name that is ABOVE every other name.

So what happened to the fire? Good question! Peace to all who are in JESUS. Stand in the offering plate.