Reference: Holy Spirit
Hastings
The Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit arises out of the experience of the Church, as it Interprets, and is itself interpreted by, the promise of the Comforter given by Jesus to His disciples (Joh 14; 15; 16). This appeal to experience follows the method adopted by St. Peter in his Pentecostal sermon (Ac 2:33). The teaching may briefly be stated as follows: The Holy Spirit is God; a Person within the Godhead; the Third Person, the knowledge of whom depends on the revelation of the Father and the Son, from both of whom He proceeds. He was in the world, and spoke by the prophets before the Word became flesh, and was Himself the agent in that creative act. Through Him the atonement was consummated. He is the life-giving presence within the universal Church, the Divine agent in its sacramental and authoritative acts; communicating Himself as a presence and power to the individual Christian; mediating to him forgiveness and new birth; nourishing, increasing, and purifying his whole personality; knitting him into the fellowship of saints; and finally, through the resurrection of the body, bringing him to the fulness of eternal life. The purpose of this article is to justify this teaching from Scripture.
1. The promise of Christ.
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When the earth was as yet unformed and desolate, with the surface of the ocean depths shrouded in darkness, and while the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters,
When the earth was as yet unformed and desolate, with the surface of the ocean depths shrouded in darkness, and while the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters, God said, "Let there be light!" So there was light.
So God created mankind in his own image; in his own image God created them; he created them male and female.
So the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground, breathed life into his lungs, and the man became a living being.
So the LORD said, "My Spirit won't remain with human beings forever, because they're truly mortal. Their lifespan will be 120 years."
Now then, return the man's wife. As a matter of fact, he's a prophet and can intercede for you so you'll live. But if you don't return her, be aware that you and all who are yours will certainly die."
so Pharaoh asked his servants, "Can we find anyone else like this someone in whom the Spirit of God lives?
But Israel stretched out his right hand, laying it on Ephraim's head (he was the younger son) and laying his left hand on Manasseh's head (even though Manasseh was the firstborn). Then Israel blessed Joseph by saying: "May the God in whose presence my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has continued shepherding me my whole life even until today,
He is to speak to the people for you as your spokesman and you are to act in the role of God for him.
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand and went out with all the women behind her with tambourines and dancing.
"Look, I've called Uri's son Bezalel, grandson of Hur from Judah's tribe
Along with him I'm appointing Ahisamach's son Oholiab from the tribe of Dan, and I've given wisdom to all who are skilled so they can make everything that I've commanded you,
Assemble the descendants of Levi in front of the appointed place of meeting, and assemble the whole congregation of Israel, too. Bring the descendants of Levi into the LORD's presence and have the Israelis lay their hands on the descendants of Levi.
The descendants of Levi are then to lay their hands on the head of the bulls, offering one for a sin offering and the other one for a burnt offering to the LORD to atone for the descendants of Levi.
Then I'll come down and speak with you. I'll take some of the spirit that rests on you and apportion it among them, so that they may help you bear the burden of the people. That way, you won't bear it by yourself."
The LORD came down in a cloud, spoke to Moses, and made an apportionment from the spirit who rested on him to the 70 elders. When the spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but that was it.
"Select Nun's son Joshua. The Spirit is in that man," the LORD answered Moses. "You are to lay your hand on him
"Select Nun's son Joshua. The Spirit is in that man," the LORD answered Moses. "You are to lay your hand on him and make him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire community. Then you are to set him in charge right before their eyes, read more. turning over your authority to him so that the entire community of Israel knows to obey him. You are to make him stand in the presence of Eleazar the priest, who is to inquire on his behalf using the Urim in the presence of the LORD regarding a decision of judgment, because by his command he and all the Israelis with him will go out or come in." So Moses did what the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua, made him stand in the presence of Eleazar the priest and the entire community, laid his hands on him, and charged him, just as the LORD had commanded, using Moses' authority.
"The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like me for you from among your relatives. You must listen to him,
No prophet ever rose again in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew with such great intimacy.
As a result, it was their descendants, whom he raised up to take their place, that Joshua circumcised. They had remained uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised during their journey.
Deborah, a woman, prophet, and wife of Lappidoth, was herself judging Israel during that time.
(Previously in Israel, a person would say when he went to inquire of God, "Come on! Let's go to the seer!" because the person known as a prophet today was formerly called a seer.)
The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you'll prophesy with them and be changed into a different person. When these signs occur, do whatever you want to do, because the LORD is with you. read more. You are to go down ahead of me to Gilgal, and then I'll come down to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. You are to wait seven days until I come to you to let you know what you are to do." Now it happened as Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, that God gave him another heart, and all these signs occurred on that day. When they arrived there at Gibeah, a band of prophets was right there to meet them. The Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he prophesied along with them.
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came on David from that day forward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.
Someone replied, "They're at Naioth in Ramah." Saul went to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God came on him also. He continued in prophetic ecstasy until he came to Naioth in Ramah. He also removed his clothes and was caught up in prophetic ecstasy right in front of Samuel! He fell down naked and remained there all that day and all night. That is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
The Spirit of the LORD speaks within me; his word is on my tongue!
"You gave your good Spirit to instruct them, not withholding manna from them, and providing water to quench their thirst.
"You gave your good Spirit to instruct them, not withholding manna from them, and providing water to quench their thirst.
You were patient with them for many years, warning them by your Spirit through your prophets. But they would not listen, so you turned them over to the control of people in other lands.
As long as I can breathe; as long as God's breath is in my nostrils,
"The spirit of God fashioned me; and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; all the heavenly bodies by the breath of his mouth.
In your majesty ride forth for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness; and your strong right hand will teach you awesome things. Your arrows are sharpened to penetrate the hearts of the king's enemies. People will fall under you. read more. Your throne, God, exists forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a righteous scepter. You love justice and hate wickedness. That is why God, even your God, has anointed you rather than your companions with the oil of gladness.
Do not cast me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Do not cast me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Do not cast me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
When you send your spirit, they are created, and you replenish the surface of the earth.
"Don't touch my anointed or hurt my prophets!"
Where can I flee from your spirit? Or where will I run from your presence?
Where can I flee from your spirit? Or where will I run from your presence?
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
"A shoot will come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch will bear fruit from his roots. The Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. read more. His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He won't judge by what his eyes see, nor decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he will judge the needy, and decide with equity for earth's poor. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and the wicked will be killed with the breath of his lips. Righteousness will be the sash around his loins, and faithfulness the belt around his waist."
Righteousness will be the sash around his loins, and faithfulness the belt around his waist."
"Oh, you stubborn children," declares the LORD, "who carry out plans but they are not mine, and who make alliances but not by my Spirit, piling sin upon sin.
Draw near to me, and listen to this: "From the beginning I haven't spoken in secret; at the time it happened, I was there.' And now the LORD God, and his Spirit, has sent me.
I have put my words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of my hand, so that I could plant the heavens and lay the earth's foundations, to say to Zion, "You are my people.'
these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will rise up to be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for everyone."
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners;
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; so he changed and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.
Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; so he changed and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them. Then they remembered the days of old, of Moses his servant. Where is the one who brought up out of the sea the shepherds of his flock? Where is the one who put his Holy Spirit among them,
The LORD stretched out his hand, touched my mouth, and then told me, "Look, I've put my words in your mouth.
For this is what the LORD says: "Cry out with joy for Jacob and shout for the chief among the nations. Announce, give praise, and say, "Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' Look, I'm bringing them from the northern region, and I'll gather them from the farthest parts of the earth. among them will be the blind and the lame, together with the pregnant woman and the woman in labor. A large group will return here. read more. They'll come crying, and I'll lead them as they pray for mercy. I'll make them walk by streams of water, along a straight path on which they won't stumble. For I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn."
"Son of Man," he said, "I've appointed you to be a watchman over the house of Israel. Therefore when you hear a message that comes from me, you are to warn them for me.
I'll no longer hide my presence from them again when I pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel,' declares the Lord GOD."
"Then it will come about at a later time that I will pour out my Spirit on every person. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your elderly people will dream dreams, and your young people will see visions. Also at that time I will pour out my Spirit upon men and women servants.
A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who will not prophesy?
"As for me, I am truly filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, filled with judgment and power to announce to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
I will pour out on the house of David and on the residents of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and of supplications, and they will look to me the one whom they pierced.'"
But Jesus answered him, "Let it be this way for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness."
After this, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
It won't be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
It won't be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
It won't be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
He told them, "Because of your lack of faith. I tell all of you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.
He asked them, "Then how can David by the Spirit call him "Lord' when he says,
Just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and told him, "I do want to. Be made clean!"
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of eternal sin."
and begged him urgently, saying, "My little daughter is dying. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live."
He couldn't perform a miracle there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. He spit into his eyes, placed his hands on him, and asked him, "Do you see anything?"
Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples and told them, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me continuously,
Then after he had hugged the children, he tenderly blessed them as he laid his hands on them.
David himself said by the Holy Spirit, "The Lord told my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet."'
When they take you away and hand you over for trial, don't worry ahead of time about what you will say. Instead, say whatever is given to you at that time, because it won't be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: In my name they'll drive out demons, they'll speak in new languages, and they'll pick up snakes with their hands.Even if they drink any deadly poison, it won't hurt them, and they'll place their hands on the sick, and they'll recover."
just as they were passed down to us by those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning,
The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God.
The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will surround you. Therefore, the child will be holy and will be called the Son of God.
just as he promised long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets
a light that will reveal salvation to unbelievers and bring glory to your people Israel."
Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance! Don't begin to say to yourselves, "We have father Abraham!' because I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!
Then Jesus returned to Galilee by the power of the Spirit. Meanwhile, the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country.
Then Jesus returned to Galilee by the power of the Spirit. Meanwhile, the news about him spread throughout the surrounding country.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free, and to announce the year of the Lord's favor."
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking him!"
But if I drive out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
because I will give you the ability to speak, along with wisdom, that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
I am sending to you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
We have all received one gracious gift after another from his abundance,
I didn't recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, "The person on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
Jesus answered him, "You're the teacher of Israel, and you can't understand this?
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me. Yet if another man comes in his own name, you will accept him.
This is the bread that came down from heaven, not the kind that your ancestors ate. They died, but the one who eats this bread will live forever."
When many of his disciples heard this, they said, "This is a difficult statement. Who can accept it?"
Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who were believing in him were to receive, because the Spirit was not yet present and Jesus had not yet been glorified.
So the high priests planned to kill Lazarus, too,
Now is the time for the judgment of this world to begin. Now the ruler of this world will be thrown out.
The one who sees me sees the one who sent me.
There are many rooms in my Father's house. If there weren't, I wouldn't have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you, would I?
There are many rooms in my Father's house. If there weren't, I wouldn't have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you, would I? And since I'm going away to prepare a place for you, I'll come back again and welcome you into my presence, so that you may be where I am.
Thomas asked him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. read more. If you have known me, you will also know my Father. From now on you know him and have seen him." Philip told him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us."
Philip told him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us." "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?" Jesus asked him. "The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, "Show us the Father'?
"Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?" Jesus asked him. "The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, "Show us the Father'?
"Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?" Jesus asked him. "The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, "Show us the Father'?
Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, the one who believes in me will also do what I'm doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I'm going to the Father.
I will ask the Father to give you another Helper, to be with you always. He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you.
He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you.
He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you.
He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you. I'm not going to forsake you like orphans. I will come back to you.
I'm not going to forsake you like orphans. I will come back to you. "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. read more. At that time, you'll know that I am in my Father, that you are in me, and that I am in you. The person who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I, too, will love him and reveal myself to him."
The person who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I, too, will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) asked him, "Lord, how is it that you are going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" read more. Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him.
Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
I won't talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me.
"Abide in me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
"Abide in me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. read more. Unless a person abides in me, he is thrown away like a pruned branch and dries up. People gather such branches, throw them into a fire, and they are burned up. "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you can ask for anything you want, and you'll receive it. This is how my Father is glorified, when you produce a lot of fruit and so prove to be my disciples. Just as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. So abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you'll abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I've told you this, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
I don't call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I've called you friends, because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Father.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf.
"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of Truth, who comes from the Father he will testify on my behalf. You will testify also, because you have been with me from the beginning.
You will testify also, because you have been with me from the beginning.
However, I'm telling you the truth. It's for your advantage that I'm going away, because if I don't go away, the Helper won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
However, I'm telling you the truth. It's for your advantage that I'm going away, because if I don't go away, the Helper won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment
When he comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment of sin, because they don't believe in me; read more. of righteousness, because I'm going to the Father and you will no longer see me; and of judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. "I still have a lot to say to you, but you cannot bear it now. Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he'll guide you into all truth. He won't speak on his own accord, but he'll speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come.
Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he'll guide you into all truth. He won't speak on his own accord, but he'll speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come.
Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he'll guide you into all truth. He won't speak on his own accord, but he'll speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come.
Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he'll guide you into all truth. He won't speak on his own accord, but he'll speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come.
Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he'll guide you into all truth. He won't speak on his own accord, but he'll speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said, "He will take what is mine and declare it to you.'
All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said, "He will take what is mine and declare it to you.'
All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said, "He will take what is mine and declare it to you.' In a little while you will no longer see me, then in a little while you will see me again." read more. At this point, some of his disciples asked each other, "What does he mean by telling us, "In a little while you will no longer see me, then in a little while you will see me again,' and, "because I am going to the Father'?" They kept saying, "What is this "in a little while' that he keeps talking about? We don't know what he means." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him a question, so he asked them, "Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, "In a little while you will no longer see me, then in a little while you will see me again'?
"I am asking on their behalf. I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those you gave me, because they are yours.
I ask not only on behalf of these men, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their message,
I ask not only on behalf of these men, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their message, so that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.
so that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.
so that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.
I am in them, and you are in me. May they be completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and that you have loved them as you loved me.
I am in them, and you are in me. May they be completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and that you have loved them as you loved me.
The one who saw this has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows he is telling the truth so that you, too, may believe,
When he had said this, he breathed on them and told them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
In my first book, Theophilus, I wrote about everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning,
While he was meeting with them, he ordered them, "Don't leave Jerusalem. Instead, wait for what the Father has promised, about which you heard me speak, because John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit a few days from now."
But you'll receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you'll be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
When they came into the city, these men went to the upstairs room where they had been staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. With one mind, all of them kept devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women (including Mary the mother of Jesus) and his brothers.
who was one of the men associated with us all the time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning when he was baptized by John until the day he was taken up from us. Therefore, someone like this must become a witness with us to his resurrection."
When the day of Pentecost was being celebrated, all of them were together in one place.
When the day of Pentecost was being celebrated, all of them were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the roar of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Suddenly, a sound like the roar of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated, and one rested on each of them. read more. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.
When that sound came, a crowd quickly gathered, startled because each one heard the disciples speaking in his own language.
When that sound came, a crowd quickly gathered, startled because each one heard the disciples speaking in his own language.
All of them continued to be stunned and puzzled, and they kept asking one another, "What can this mean?" But others kept saying in derision, "They're drunk on sweet wine!"
Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. read more. In those days I will even pour out my Spirit on my slaves, men and women alike, and they will prophesy.
He has been exalted to the right hand of God, has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, and has caused you to experience what you are seeing and hearing.
He has been exalted to the right hand of God, has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, and has caused you to experience what you are seeing and hearing.
Peter answered them, "Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.
Peter answered them, "Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.
Peter answered them, "Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.
They were praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord was adding to their number those who were being saved.
However, Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold, but I'll give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus the Messiah from Nazareth, walk!" Then Peter took hold of his right hand and began to help him up. Immediately his feet and ankles became strong,
as you stretch out your hand to heal and to perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Peter asked, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back some of the money you got for the land?
They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
This Moses is the one who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and to our ancestors. He received living truths to give to us,
But when Philip proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and about the name of Jesus the Messiah, men and women believed and were baptized.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaritans had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. They went down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. read more. Before this, he had not come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Before this, he had not come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. read more. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me this power too, so that when I lay my hands on someone, he will receive the Holy Spirit." read more. But Peter told him, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's free gift with money! You have no part or share in what we're saying, because your heart isn't right with God. So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart's intent may be forgiven you. For I see that you're being poisoned by bitterness and you're a prisoner of wickedness!" Simon answered, "Both of you pray to the Lord for me that none of the things you have said will happen to me."
He has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so he would see again."
So Ananias left and went to that house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were traveling, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
So Ananias left and went to that house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were traveling, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." All at once something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.
because they heard them speaking in foreign languages and praising God. Then Peter said,
But I replied, "Absolutely not, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth!' Then the voice from heaven answered a second time, "You must stop calling common what God has made clean!' read more. This happened three times. Then everything was pulled back up to heaven. "At that very moment three men arrived at the house where we were staying. They had been sent to me from Caesarea.
"At that very moment three men arrived at the house where we were staying. They had been sent to me from Caesarea.
"When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he was first given to us.
At that time some prophets from Jerusalem came down to Antioch. One of them named Agabus got up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine all over the world. This happened during the reign of Claudius.
Now Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen, who grew up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me to do the work for which I called them." read more. Then they fasted and prayed, laid their hands on them, and let them go.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements:
They went as far as Mysia and tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them,
They went as far as Mysia and tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them,
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in foreign languages and to prophesy.
When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in foreign languages and to prophesy.
When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in foreign languages and to prophesy.
He had four unmarried daughters who could prophesy. After we had been there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. read more. He came to us, took Paul's belt, and tied his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit says, "This is how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. Then they will hand him over to the gentiles.'"
The father of Publius happened to be sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and healed him by placing his hands on him.
and was declared by the resurrection from the dead to be the powerful Son of God according to the spirit of holiness Jesus the Messiah, our Lord.
There are all kinds of advantages! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the utterances of God.
Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death resulted from sin, therefore everyone dies, because everyone has sinned. Certainly sin was in the world before the Law was given, but no record of sin is kept when there is no Law. read more. Nevertheless, death ruled from the time of Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the same way Adam did when he disobeyed. He is a foreshadowing of the one who would come. But God's free gift is not like Adam's offense. For if many people died as the result of one man's offense, how much more have God's grace and the free gift given through the kindness of one man, Jesus the Messiah, been showered on many people! Nor can the free gift be compared to what came through the man who sinned. For the sentence that followed one man's offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift brought justification, even after many offenses. For if, through one man, death ruled because of that man's offense, how much more will those who receive such overflowing grace and the gift of righteousness rule in life because of one man, Jesus the Messiah! Consequently, just as one offense resulted in condemnation for everyone, so one act of righteousness results in justification and life for everyone. For just as through one man's disobedience many people were made sinners, so also through one man's obedience many people will be made righteous. Now the Law crept in so that the offense would increase. But where sin increased, grace increased even more, so that, just as sin ruled by bringing death, so also grace might rule by bringing justification that results in eternal life through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord.
You, however, are not under the control of the human nature but under the control of the Spirit, since God's Spirit lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of the Messiah, he does not belong to him.
And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then the one who raised the Messiah from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive by his Spirit who lives in you.
For all who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. For you have not received a spirit of slavery that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba! Father!" read more. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that the Son might be the firstborn among many brothers.
I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. read more. For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you. For we have many parts in one body, but these parts do not all have the same function. In the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in the Messiah and individual parts connected to each other. We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your gift in proportion to your faith.
We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your gift in proportion to your faith. If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others. read more. If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others. If it is sharing, share generously. If it is leading, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping, help cheerfully.
But God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God.
But God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. Is there anyone who can understand his own thoughts except his own inner spirit? In the same way, no one can know the thoughts of God except God's Spirit. read more. Now, we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we can understand the things that were freely given to us by God.
You know that you are God's sanctuary and that God's Spirit lives in you, don't you?
That is what some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah and by the Spirit of our God.
You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don't you? You do not belong to yourselves,
For this reason I want you to be aware that no one who is speaking by God's Spirit can say, "Jesus is cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good. To one has been given a message of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the ability to speak with knowledge according to the same Spirit; read more. to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit;
to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit; to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
For by one Spirit all of us Jews and Greeks, slaves and free were baptized into one body and were all privileged to drink from one Spirit.
For by one Spirit all of us Jews and Greeks, slaves and free were baptized into one body and were all privileged to drink from one Spirit. For the body does not consist of only one part, but of many. read more. If the foot says, "Since I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body," that does not make it any less a part of the body, does it? And if the ear says, "Since I'm not an eye, I'm not part of the body," that does not make it any less a part of the body, does it? If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has arranged the parts, every one of them, in the body according to his plan. Now if all of it were one part, there wouldn't be a body, would there? So there are many parts, but one body.
However, our attractive parts don't need this. But God has put the body together and has given special honor to the parts that lack it,
God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages.
God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages.
God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages. Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? read more. Not all have the gift of healing, do they? Not all speak in foreign languages, do they? Not all interpret, do they? Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can understand all secrets and every form of knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains but have no love, I am nothing.
Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy.
Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy.
Keep on pursuing love, and keep on desiring spiritual gifts, especially the ability to prophesy. For the person who speaks in a foreign language is not actually speaking to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands him, because he is talking about secrets by the Spirit. read more. But the person who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and comfort. The person who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, but the person who prophesies builds up the church. Now I wish that all of you could speak in foreign languages, but especially that you could prophesy. The person who prophesies is more important than the person who speaks in a foreign language, unless he interprets it so that the church may be built up. Indeed, brothers, if I come to you speaking in foreign languages, what good will I be to you unless I speak to you in some revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching? In the same way, lifeless instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. But if there's no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played? For example, if a bugle doesn't sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? In the same way, unless you speak an intelligible message with your language, how will anyone know what is being said? You'll be talking into the air! There are, I suppose, many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If I don't know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church.
In the same way, since you're so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church. Therefore, the person who speaks in a foreign language should pray for the ability to interpret it. read more. For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive. What does this mean? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, but I will also sing psalms with my mind. Otherwise, if you say a blessing with your spirit, how can an otherwise uneducated person say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you're saying? It's good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person. I thank God that I speak in foreign languages more than all of you. But in church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than 10,000 words in a foreign language.
The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets,
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom.
for through the Messiah, God was reconciling the world to himself by not counting their sins against them. He has committed his message of reconciliation to us.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you!
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly wrong. Until some men arrived from James, he was in the habit of eating with the gentiles, but after those men came, he withdrew from the gentiles and would not associate with them any longer, because he was afraid of the circumcision party.
But when the appropriate time had come, God sent his Son, born by a woman, born under the Law, in order to redeem those who were under the Law, and thus to adopt them as his children. read more. Now because you are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Now because you are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, the Messiah will be of no benefit to you.
For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
God has put everything under the Messiah's feet and has made him the head of everything for the good of the church,
At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise. You had no hope and were in the world without God.
At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise. You had no hope and were in the world without God.
and reconciling both groups to God in one body through the cross, on which he eliminated the hostility. He came and proclaimed peace for you who were far away and for you who were near. read more. For through him, both of us have access to the Father by one Spirit.
For through him, both of us have access to the Father by one Spirit.
For through him, both of us have access to the Father by one Spirit. That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, read more. having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the Messiah Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:
This is the reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its name. read more. I pray that he would give you, according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit, and that the Messiah would make his home in your hearts through faith. Then, having been rooted and grounded in love, you will be able to understand, along with all the saints, what is wide, long, high, and deep that is, you will know the love of the Messiah which transcends knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.
There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to the one hope of your calling.
Now to each one of us grace has been given proportionate to the measure of the Messiah's gift.
And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of the Messiah read more. until all of us are united in the faith and in the full knowledge of God's Son, and until we attain mature adulthood and the full standard of development in the Messiah.
in whom the whole body is united and held together by every ligament with which it is supplied. As each individual part does its job, the body builds itself up in love.
in whom the whole body is united and held together by every ligament with which it is supplied. As each individual part does its job, the body builds itself up in love.
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.
I thank my God every time I remember you,
For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah Jesus provides.
For God is my witness how much I long for all of you with the compassion that the Messiah Jesus provides.
I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah.
I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah.
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in the Messiah, if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any compassion and sympathy,
Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in the Messiah Jesus: In God's own form existed he, and shared with God equality, deemed nothing needed grasping. read more. Instead, poured out in emptiness, a servant's form did he possess, a mortal man becoming. In human form he chose to be, and lived in all humility, death on a cross obeying. Now lifted up by God to heaven, a name above all others given, this matchless name possessing. And so, when Jesus' name is called, the knees of everyone should fall, wherever they're residing. Then every tongue in one accord, will say that Jesus the Messiah is Lord, while God the Father praising.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
he has now reconciled by the death of his physical body, so that he may present you holy, blameless, and without fault before him.
And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord.
Timothy, my child, I am instructing you in keeping with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may continue to fight the good fight
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you.
Do not ordain anyone hastily. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Do not ordain anyone hastily. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands.
For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands.
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in the Messiah Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
God, having spoken in former times in fragmentary and varied fashion to our forefathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by a Son whom he appointed to be the heir of everything and through whom he also made the universe. read more. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact likeness of his being, and he holds everything together by his powerful word. After he had provided a cleansing from sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Highest Majesty
In fact, though by now you should be teachers, you still need someone to teach you the basic truths of God's word. You have become people who need milk instead of solid food.
instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Therefore, because he always lives to intercede for them, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him.
how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead actions so that we may serve the living God!
Therefore, my brothers, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven."
Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will save the person who is sick. The Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
In a similar way, you young people must submit to the elders. All of you must clothe yourselves with humility for the sake of each other, because: "God opposes the arrogant, but gives grace to the humble."
First of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever originated through a human decision. Instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Think of our Lord's patience as facilitating salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. He speaks about this subject in all his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, leading to their own destruction, as they do the rest of the Scriptures.
What existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we observed and touched with our own hands this is the Word of life!
This is the revelation of Jesus the Messiah, which God gave him to show his servants the things that must happen soon. He made it known by sending his messenger to his servant John, who testified about this message from God and the testimony about Jesus the Messiah. read more. How blessed is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and obey what is written in it, for the time is near! From John to the seven churches in Asia. May grace and peace be yours from the one who is, who was, and who is coming, from the seven spirits who are in front of his throne, and from Jesus the Messiah, the witness, the faithful one, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. So be it! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," declares the Lord God, "the one who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty." I am John, your brother and partner in the oppression, kingdom, and patience that comes because of Jesus. I was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. I came to be in the Spirit on the Day of the Lord, when I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet, saying, "Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." Then I turned to see who was talking to me, and when I turned I saw seven gold lamp stands. Among the lamp stands there was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash around his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, in fact, as white as snow. His eyes were like flames of fire, his feet were like glowing bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of raging waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines with full force. When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me and said, "Stop being afraid! I am the first and the last,
When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me and said, "Stop being afraid! I am the first and the last, the living one. I was dead but look! I am alive forever and ever! I have the keys of Death and Hades.
"To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: "The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the originator of God's creation, says this:
I bowed down at his feet to worship him, but he told me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who rely on what Jesus is saying. Worship God, because what Jesus is saying is the spirit of prophecy!"
The one sitting on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new!" He said, "Write this: "These words are trustworthy and true.'" Then he told me, "It has happened! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give a drink from the spring of the water of life to the one who is thirsty.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal. It was flowing from the throne of God and the lamb.