Jesus Himself Stood In The Midst And Said, "Peace Be Unto You!" - Part 1980

"The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." (Job 33:4)

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, 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, receiving the end of your faith [even] the salvation of your souls. 

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that [should come] unto you; searching with, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them, did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (I Peter 1:7-12)

We see this culminating when Jesus appeared to His disciples after His death and resurrection from the tomb. Therein, Jesus opens their eyes that they might fully understand the scriptures. Indeed, Jesus 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, 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." (Luke 24:45-49; Acts 16:14; Acts 17:3; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38; Acts 26:18; Acts 1:8, 12; Acts 2:36-47)

It is here in Acts (a continuation from Luke's writings) that the beginning of the New Testament body of Christ church begins -- "beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection." (Acts 1:22)

When Jesus appeared to the eleven, note that they were affrighted supposing they had seen a Spirit. But when Jesus asks them, "Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?" He also tells them to, "Behold, My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself, handle Me and see; for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me have." And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet. 

Jesus also said unto the eleven, "These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning Me." (Luke 24:44) Then opened He their understanding that they might understand the scriptures.  Later, in Acts, we learn that "until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He [Jesus] through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen." (Acts 1:2-3)

One Lord, One faith and One baptism. One God and Father of all who is with us all and in us all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) The Word of the Lord was prophetically spoken of as going forth from Jerusalem. In this context, it only makes sense to adopt the scripturally correct version and adhere to the same Word that went forth from Jerusalem. 

Yes, the beginning of the New Testament body of Christ church, wherein His Word is proclaimed to all those who desire everlasting life. "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:5-6)

He is the treasure that we refuse to hide under a bushel -- the Light of the world, the Bread of life, the living water, wherein if we taste and see that the Lord is good, we will never thirst again. The King of kings and Lord of lords -- "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3)

As Jesus points out, "The kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hides, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." (Matthew 13:44)

For the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, "The Lord knows them that are His," And, "let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (II Timothy 2:19; I Corinthians 3:11)

Therefore, "according to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another laid the foundation and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man lay than that is laid -- which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which He hath built thereupon, He shall receive a reward." (I Corinthians 3:10-14; Romans 1:5; I Corinthians 4:15; Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20; Luke 2:35)

If you have not yet found this greatest treasure, ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in your heart. Be buried with Him in water baptism -- in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And receive ye the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21; Revelation 1:8; Colossians 2:12-15)

Set your affection on things above and not on things on the earth, for ye are dead, and now your life is hid with Christ in God, who has now become our life and breath, because we have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. (Colossians 3:10)

Stand in the offering plate.