Jesus is risen comparative bible study, also the Pentecost

           

Here are the four gospel accounts of Jesus being raised from the dead, what He did while alive, who He saw, before Jesus was taken up to heaven to be with God the Father, completely fulfilling His purpose on the earth of paying for all of mankind’s sins.

Here is the link to the Passion of Christ comparative bible study in the gospels of Matthew and Mark

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jay-dougherty/passion-of-christ-comparative-bible-study-gospels-of-matthew-and-mark/10200658388195697

Here also is the link to the Passion comparative bible study in the gospels of Luke and John

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jay-dougherty/passion-of-christ-comparative-bible-study-gospels-of-luke-and-john/10200659962555055

This study itself is starting with the following gospel chapters Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20 and 21. These detail the activities, interactions and teachings of the risen Jesus.

Here is the account in Matthew 28

(Matthew 28:1)  Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

 

(Matthew 28:2)  And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

 

(Matthew 28:3)  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

 

(Matthew 28:4)  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

 

(Matthew 28:5)  But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

 

(Matthew 28:6)  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

 

(Matthew 28:7)  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."

 

(Matthew 28:8)  So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

 

(Matthew 28:9)  And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

 

(Matthew 28:10)  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

 

(Matthew 28:11)  While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.

 

(Matthew 28:12)  And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

 

(Matthew 28:13)  and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.'

 

(Matthew 28:14)  And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."

 

(Matthew 28:15)  So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

 

(Matthew 28:16)  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

 

(Matthew 28:17)  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

 

(Matthew 28:18)  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

 

(Matthew 28:19)  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

 

(Matthew 28:20)  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

 

And here is Mark 16

(Mark 16:1)  When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.

 

(Mark 16:2)  And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.

 

(Mark 16:3)  And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?"

 

(Mark 16:4)  And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back--it was very large.

 

(Mark 16:5)  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.

 

(Mark 16:6)  And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

 

(Mark 16:7)  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."

 

(Mark 16:8)  And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

(Mark 16:9)  [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

 

(Mark 16:10)  She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

 

(Mark 16:11)  But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

 

(Mark 16:12)  After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.

 

(Mark 16:13)  And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

 

(Mark 16:14)  Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

 

(Mark 16:15)  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

 

(Mark 16:16)  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

 

(Mark 16:17)  And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

 

(Mark 16:18)  they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

 

(Mark 16:19)  So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

 

(Mark 16:20)  And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]

 

Here is the account in Luke 24

(Luke 24:1)  But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

 

(Luke 24:2)  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

 

(Luke 24:3)  but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

 

(Luke 24:4)  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.

 

(Luke 24:5)  And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?

 

(Luke 24:6)  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

 

(Luke 24:7)  that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."

 

(Luke 24:8)  And they remembered his words,

 

(Luke 24:9)  and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

 

(Luke 24:10)  Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,

 

(Luke 24:11)  but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

 

(Luke 24:12)  But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

 

(Luke 24:13)  That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

 

(Luk 24:14)  and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

 

(Luke 24:15)  While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

 

(Luke 24:16)  But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

 

(Luke 24:17)  And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.

 

(Luke 24:18)  Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

 

(Luke 24:19)  And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

 

(Luke 24:20)  and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

 

(Luke 24:21)  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

 

(Luke 24:22)  Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,

 

(Luke 24:23)  and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

 

(Luke 24:24)  Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

 

(Luke 24:25)  And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

 

(Luke 24:26)  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

 

(Luke 24:27)  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

 

(Luke 24:28)  So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,

 

(Luke 24:29)  but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.

 

(Luke 24:30)  When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

 

(Luke 24:31)  And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

 

(Luke 24:32)  They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

 

(Luke 24:33)  And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,

 

(Luke 24:34)  saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

 

(Luke 24:35)  Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

 

(Luke 24:36)  As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"

 

(Luke 24:37)  But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

 

(Luke 24:38)  And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

 

(Luke 24:39)  See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."

 

(Luke 24:40)  And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

 

(Luke 24:41)  And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"

 

(Luke 24:42)  They gave him a piece of broiled fish,

 

(Luke 24:43)  and he took it and ate before them.

 

(Luke 24:44)  Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

 

(Luke 24:45)  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

 

(Luke 24:46)  and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,

 

(Luke 24:47)  and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

 

(Luke 24:48)  You are witnesses of these things.

 

(Luke 24:49)  And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

 

(Luke 24:50)  Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.

 

(Luke 24:51)  While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.

 

(Luke 24:52)  And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

 

(Luke 24:53)  and were continually in the temple blessing God.

 

Here is the account in John chapters 20 and 21

(John 20:1)  Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

 

(John 20:2)  So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

 

(John 20:3)  So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.

 

(John 20:4)  Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

 

(John 20:5)  And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

 

(John 20:6)  Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,

 

(John 20:7)  and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

 

(John 20:8)  Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

 

(John 20:9)  for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

 

(John 20:10)  Then the disciples went back to their homes.

 

(John 20:11)  But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.

 

(John 20:12)  And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

 

(John 20:13)  They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."

 

(John 20:14)  Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

 

(John 20:15)  Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

 

(John 20:16)  Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

 

(John 20:17)  Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

 

(John 20:18)  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"--and that he had said these things to her.

 

(John 20:19)  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

 

(John 20:20)  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

 

(John 20:21)  Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

 

(John 20:22)  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

 

(John 20:23)  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

 

(John 20:24)  Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

 

(John 20:25)  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

 

(John 20:26)  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

 

(John 20:27)  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."

 

(John 20:28)  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

 

(John 20:29)  Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

 

(John 20:30)  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

 

(John 20:31)  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

(John 21:1)  After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.

 

(John 21:2)  Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

 

(John 21:3)  Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 

(John 21:4)  Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

 

(John 21:5)  Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No."

 

(John 21:6)  He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

 

(John 21:7)  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

 

(John 21:8)  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

 

(John 21:9)  When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.

 

(John 21:10)  Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."

 

(John 21:11)  So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.

 

(John 21:12)  Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

 

(John 21:13)  Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.

 

(John 21:14)  This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

 

(John 21:15)  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

 

(John 21:16)  He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

 

(John 21:17)  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

 

(John 21:18)  Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

 

(John 21:19)  (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."

 

(John 21:20)  Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?"

 

(John 21:21)  When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

 

(John 21:22)  Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

 

(John 21:23)  So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

 

(John 21:24)  This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

 

(John 21:25)  Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

 

Here is the acts one which overlaps the Luke 24 account a little but continues on further with the story and the disciples prepare to receive the promised Holy Spirit

(Acts 1:1)  In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,

 

(Acts 1:2)  until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

 

(Acts 1:3)  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

 

(Acts 1:4)  And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me;

 

(Acts 1:5)  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

 

(Acts 1:6)  So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

 

(Acts 1:7)  He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

 

(Acts 1:8)  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 

(Acts 1:9)  And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

 

(Acts 1:10)  And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,

 

(Acts 1:11)  and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

 

(Acts 1:12)  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

 

(Acts 1:13)  And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

 

(Acts 1:14)  All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

 

(Acts 1:15)  In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

 

(Acts 1:16)  "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

 

(Acts 1:17)  For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."

 

(Acts 1:18)  (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

 

(Acts 1:19)  And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

 

(Acts 1:20)  "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.'

 

(Acts 1:21)  So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

 

(Acts 1:22)  beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."

 

(Acts 1:23)  And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

 

(Acts 1:24)  And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

 

(Acts 1:25)  to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."

 

(Acts 1:26)  And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

 

Here is the account of the coming of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost which is promised in John 16 (which is in the Luke and John bible study above)

(Acts 2:1)  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

 

(Acts 2:2)  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

 

(Acts 2:3)  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

 

(Acts 2:4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

(Acts 2:5)  Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.

 

(Acts 2:6)  And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

 

(Acts 2:7)  And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

 

(Acts 2:8)  And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

 

(Acts 2:9)  Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

 

(Acts 2:10)  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,

 

(Acts 2:11)  both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

 

(Acts 2:12)  And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

 

(Acts 2:13)  But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

 

(Acts 2:14)  But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

 

(Acts 2:15)  For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

 

(Acts 2:16)  But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

 

(Acts 2:17)  "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

 

(Acts 2:18)  even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

 

(Acts 2:19)  And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

 

(Acts 2:20)  the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

 

(Acts 2:21)  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

 

(Acts 2:22)  "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know--

 

(Acts 2:23)  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

 

(Acts 2:24)  God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

 

(Acts 2:25)  For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

 

(Acts 2:26)  therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.

 

(Acts 2:27)  For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.

 

(Acts 2:28)  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

 

(Acts 2:29)  "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

 

(Acts 2:30)  Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,

 

(Acts 2:31)  he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

 

(Acts 2:32)  This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

 

(Acts 2:33)  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

 

(Acts 2:34)  For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

 

(Acts 2:35)  until I make your enemies your footstool.'

 

(Acts 2:36)  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

 

(Acts 2:37)  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 

(Acts 2:38)  And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

(Acts 2:39)  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

 

(Acts 2:40)  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."

 

(Acts 2:41)  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

 

(Acts 2:42)  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

 

(Acts 2:43)  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

 

(Acts 2:44)  And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

 

(Acts 2:45)  And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

 

(Acts 2:46)  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

 

(Acts 2:47)  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

If you’d like to continue further with the study in the Acts of the Apostles here is a link for the first seven chapters, the remaining chapters link from one study to the next

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jay-dougherty/acts-of-the-apostles-bible-study-chapters-1-through-7/10200615830331777

 

As an addition to this study here is the resurrection chapter from 1 Corinthians which explains much about the need for it and more.

(1 Corinthians 15:1)  Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:2)  and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:3)  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:4)  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:5)  and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:6)  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:7)  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:8)  Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:9)  For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:11)  Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:12)  Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

 

(1 Corinthians 15:13)  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:14)  And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:15)  We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:16)  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:17)  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:18)  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:19)  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:20)  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:21)  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:22)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:23)  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:24)  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:25)  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:26)  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:27)  For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:28)  When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:29)  Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

 

(1 Corinthians 15:30)  Why are we in danger every hour?

 

(1 Corinthians 15:31)  I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

 

(1 Corinthians 15:32)  What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

 

(1 Corinthians 15:33)  Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

 

(1 Corinthians 15:34)  Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:35)  But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?"

 

(1 Corinthians 15:36)  You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:37)  And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:38)  But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:39)  For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:40)  There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:41)  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:42)  So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:43)  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:44)  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:45)  Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:46)  But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:47)  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:48)  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:49)  Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:50)  I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:51)  Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:52)  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:53)  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:54)  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

 

(1 Corinthians 15:55)  "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

 

(1 Corinthians 15:56)  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:57)  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:58)  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 

As the rapture is spoken of in the above chapter, specifically verses 51 and 52 I am going to wrap this study by presenting some more on the rapture so you can know more about it.

Rapture

I will conclude and wrap this study up by saying that the way people are now(not unlike the way they were at Noah’s time and also Sodom, things which Jesus prophesied about in scriptures in Matthew, Mark and Luke)and all the many other end times signs which are occurring currently(animals dying, food prices rising, wars, rumors of wars, crazy weather and so on) are birth pangs of the coming tribulation period and  sure signs the rapture is not far way, indeed, I still believe that the rapture could be any day at any time, of which the Heavenly Father only knows). So cheer up, your redemption is drawing closer and closer every day that passes. Also please remember that  Jesus loves you more than You know, and also by posting this about the rapture, too, which does duplicate some of the scriptures, but that is for emphasis for the rapture is too important and you absolutely DO NOT want to miss it:

 

                                  THE RAPTURE IS IMMINENT!!! ARE YOU READY????

 

            I am very strongly led to believe the rapture is very imminent, and could happen any day at anytime at all. Nobody knows the exact time for the rapture but the Father God Himself. I cannot strongly enough advise all of you to get your hearts right with Jesus by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if there is any Sin /iniquity/ uncleanness in your heart, mind etc and repenting of any and all items brought to your mind right away, asking the Holy Spirit to cleanse you and your garments so that they are spotless, being washed by the blood of Jesus. I am a man, needing the blood of Jesus for cleansing as much as everyone else, and believe me I am doing the same thing. This repenting is a continuous process, not just a one time thing; I have found that I myself have been repenting several times throughout the day. I know that it will be God's grace and mercy ONLY that I make the rapture, not anything I do, I am well aware of the fact that grace alone being what saves, and not works lest any should boast, but also faith without works is dead so I am sharing this with everyone, in the hopes that a few, even just one person, would wake up in time, and repent, for the remaining time here is very short.

            I post and share this document for I deeply care for people and DO NOT want anyone to miss the rapture and find themselves left behind to face the 7 year tribulations which will follow the rapture which will be pure a horrific time on earth, the most horrific ever, in fact, where you will have to hide in caves or in mountains, away from all the evil and very selfish people, be an absolute survival expert, which many are not and absolutely refuse at all costs to take the mark of the beast(666).As a result of your refusal to take this mark, you won’t be able to buy or sell anything, work, eat, live in a normal way, and so on, and most likely you’ll be killed for it, but that is far better than taking the mark and ending up in the lake of fire for eternity, as each and every man and woman  who take the mark of the beast will end up in the lake of fire, where there will be absolutely no rest from their torment night or day(Revelation 14).  Even doing all the precautions, hiding by getting away from all population centers and into the mountains, and so on may not be enough because many if not most people, in fact will not survive the judgments that God will pour out on the world in this time period, in the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments as well as the judgment and destruction of the daughter of Babylon. All these events are described in good detail in the book of Revelation in chapters 6 through 18, which I strongly advise all to read. Here is a link an excellent animated video of the entire book of revelation for you to watch

 

 

 The tribulation period of seven years absolutely will make today's evil world seem like life in paradise by comparison. I very strongly suggest reading the book of Revelation chapters 6 through 18 which tell you specifically what sort of events and judgments the world will see during this tribulation period.

Here are some rapture related scriptures:

 (1 Corinthians 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 

(1Thessolonians 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

 

(1Thessolonians 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

God wants to keep us from this tribulation by His love and mercy Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."  The implication of this verse is obvious:  If the end-time Christian does NOT stay close to the Lord and endure to the end, HE WILL NOT BE KEPT FROM THE TRIBULATION HOUR Revelation 3 verse 10, so it is IMPERATIVE to stay close to the Lord in these last days. 

Now I have a very special warning message to all those who are lukewarm Christians to repent of this condition and to be on fire for Jesus or Jesus will surely spit you out of the rapture(see verse 16, below) and you will go through the seven year tribulation as it says in Revelation 3 14-22. There are FAR TOO MANY are in this condition the Holy Spirit warned me this AM. There are FAR TOO MANY LAODICEANS today. Please REPENT NOW of your lukewarmness and be on fire for the Lord before it is too late and you miss the rapture as a result of your being lukewarm!! Here are the verses in Revelation chapter 3 concerning the Laodicean church:

(Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

 

(Revelation 3:15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

 

(Revelation 3:16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

(Revelation 3:17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

(Revelation 3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 

(Revelation 3:19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

(Revelation 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

(Revelation 3:21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

(Revelation 3:22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

Summarizing, you MUST all be ready for this coming rapture, AND be on FIRE for Jesus, and not be at all lukewarm but loving Jesus with ALL Your heart, mind and soul as commanded in the bible, in several places in both the old and new testaments. If in case you need to receive the Lord please pray the following prayer (backsliders can also use this prayer to repent of their sin and lukewarmness and recommit their lives, and return to their first love, Jesus. Please do so NOW before it is too late)

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

Here are 10 steps that can be of help to be ready for the soon to come rapture:

1. Make sure that you have received Jesus Christ into your life as your PERSONAL Lord and Savior(see the salvation prayer above and use it if need be).

 

2. Examine your own heart for any signs of backsliding, worldliness, unwatchfulness, compromising, and lukewarmness.

 

3. REPENT (Turn COMPLETELY away from sin and turn COMPLETELY around towards Jesus).  Sin separates you from God, even as a Christian.

 

4. Study end-time Biblical prophecy(Daniel 7-12, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, 21, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, other places but the  book of Revelation in particular)  until you become completely convinced that His Coming is, indeed, AT THE DOOR.  This will help keep you from temptation and sin.  JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON!!! Lord help me be absolutely convinced YOU ARE at the door!!!!!

 

5. Do something for the Lord.  (Passing out tracts would be a good start.)

 

6. Examine your priorities, lest the CARES OF THIS LIFE cause YOU to MISS THE RAPTURE, as we are so adamantly WARNED about in Luke 21, and so many other Scriptures.

 

7. Draw closer to God by praying, reading His Word, attending a fundamental church as often as possible, and surround yourself with a Christian atmosphere (Christian friends, books, music, radio, TV, etc.)

 

8. PRAY DILIGENTLY.  ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL TO YOU ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT EVEN MIGHT KEEP YOU FROM THE RAPTURE.  PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD GIVE YOU A PEACE, IF YOU ARE READY, AND AN UNREST AND UNEASINESS IN YOUR HEART, IF YOU ARE NOT READY.

 

9. Listen for His voice and then STAY OPEN TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

10. Act upon that which the Lord is calling you to do. DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

 

Please also pray and ask the Lord Jesus to see if you are indeed ready and to give you peace if you and If the Lord has planted even the least bit of doubt or uneasiness in your heart, will you swallow your pride and pray this prayer with me:

"Dear Lord, Thank you for preparing a WAY OF ESCAPE from the horrible Tribulation to come.  It is my sincere desire to be ready for your Soon Return, so that I can participate in the Rapture. Give me a COMPLETE PEACE IN MY HEART FROM YOU if I am, indeed, ready. Let there be no false sense of security in my heart concerning my readiness for Your Return.  Begin to reveal to me things in my life and in my heart that might keep me from the Rapture.  Show me what I need to do to BE READY and then give me the power to act upon that which you show me to do.  Draw me away from the world and closer to you every day.  Use me in whatever way you can to help others

who may not be ready for your Return.  Fill me with your peace when I am ready and fill me with YOUR POWER, for victory over sin and temptation, and for effective service for your kingdom.  In Jesus' mighty name, Amen

If, by an unfortunate chance, you are finding yourself reading this testimony after the rapture has happened, and you find that you have missed it, everything is not lost by any means, just please pray immediately to accept the Lord Jesus as savior and /or recommit your life to Him, repenting of anything  and everything that you have done that has caused you to miss the rapture, especially such things as being lukewarm and whatever else you may do during that time absolutely DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST OR YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE!!!!!(taking the mark of the beast means you are essentially married to Satan, the antichrist, the beast and false prophet,  ALL OF WHOM ARE DESTINED FOR THE LAKE OF FIRE, AS ARE ALL WHO TAKE THEIR MARK ON THEIR FOREHEAD OR HAND). IT IS NOT AT ALL FORGIVABLE TO TAKE THIS MARK- so again you must avoid taking this mark AT ALL COSTS you won’t be able to buy, sell, work, and so on, you will have to hide, living in the forest and away from civilization, face jail, torture, and be executed for refusing the mark. If you do die for refusing to take the mark of the beast, if you are Jesus’ you will go to heaven immediately as a tribulation saint and martyr spoken of in the book of revelation. I cannot strongly stress the point enough to NEVER, EVER accept the mark of the beast, no matter what!!!! It will be well worth it to lose everything and everyone in this world, including your life so as  to not have to spend all eternity in hell and the lake of fire, where again there will be never any rest on your torment day or night.

 

Here is a video link for after the rapture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbvC-9Ei83E&feature=youtu.be

 

And a link to another facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jay.dougherty.50?ref=tn_tnmn#!/notes/jay-dougherty/good-book-on-tribulations-and-end-times-please-share-aslo-video-link/10200133756520233

 

God bless you and yours