Today’s selected reading is found in the New Testament book of the Acts of the apostles as it was written and recorded by the physician Luke. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first and opening chapter of this book. “The former treatise have I made, O Theophiilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he though the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible profs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Luke 1:1-3). “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Luke 1:4-8). “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and mary the mother of Jesus, and with this brethren” (Acts 1:12-14). “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprics let another take. Wherefore of these men which companies with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:15-26). When you come to the first and opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts written by the beloved physician Luke you will encounter a book that was not necessarily written about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ but rather His body which would remain upon the earth after His ascension unto the right hand of the Father. The New Testament book of Acts is referred to in some translations as “The Acts of the apostles” for within it are powerful descriptions of the exploits of the apostles who walked with and followed the Lord Jesus Christ while He was present in the flesh upon the earth. While this is indeed a true and accurate assessment that this book is indeed a book which contains a description of the acts and works the apostles of Jesus did during the days, weeks, months and years after His ascension it is only part of the picture. If you truly want to understand this New Testament book you must needs recognize and understand that it is so much more than simply a book about the acts which the apostles of Christ did. In all reality the New Testament book of Acts is a book that contains a wonderful and powerful description of the body of Christ as a whole which was established in the earth ten days after Jesus ascended unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. If the four New Testament gospels describe the life and ministry together with the words and works of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ while He walked upon the earth in the flesh then the book of Acts describes the life and ministry of the body of Christ—those who would carry His name and who would take up the work which He had begun in the midst of the earth. It was the apostle Paul who emphatically declared unto the Philippian saints that he was confident that He who began a good work in them would be faithful to complete it and this reality can also be understood in terms of Judaea, Judaea, Samaria and even the uttermost parts of the earth. The work which was begun in them through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed continue even after He ascended unto the right hand of the Father through the body of Christ which would be established within and upon the earth. I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found within the New Testament book of Acts and I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding a book that was written—not merely describing the works which the apostles themselves performed and engaged themselves in but those works which the church and body of Christ had also engaged themselves in. In fact if you read the words which are found within chapters six and eight you will find that Stephen who was chosen among the seven deacons of the early church was a man who was full of the Holy Spirit, full of faith and full of wisdom and would indeed do mighty wonders and works during those days. What’s more is that the words which he taught and spoke unto the people were so incredibly powerful they could not refute nor dispute nor even discredit them. As a direct result of this there were those who dragged him before the Sanhedrin and falsely accused him before the highest court which was present among the people of God. In response to this Stephen would be dragged out of the city where he would be stoned to death by an angry mob who sought to destroy and remove him from the earth. Stephen would indeed become the first martyr of the early church and yet before he would breathe his last he would not only ask the Father to forgive them for this transgression but he also looked steadfastly up into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. This is something we must needs understand and recognize for this New Testament book isn’t merely about the apostles themselves—despite the fact that from the ninth chapter through the twenty-eighth and final chapter we read of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and his transformation into the apostle Paul who would be the single greatest builder of the church and author of two thirds of the New Testament through the epistles he would write. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that the New Testament book of Acts can be best understood as a book that describes and centers around the church as a whole which would be established and built through the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. It was the Lord Jesus who would declare unto Simon called Peter and unto the disciples in Caesarea Philippi that He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it and it would be on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit would indeed be given by Jesus from the right hand of the Father as the promise of the Father which He had spoken of. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for if you want to truly understand this New Testament book of Acts you must needs understand it through the context of the church and body of Christ which was established upon the earth. What’s more is that in addition to this you must needs understand it in terms of the church which was established in the midst of the city of Jerusalem—but not only within the city of Jerusalem but also throughout Asia and the region of the Gentiles. This New Testament book wasn’t merely about the early church which began and was founded in the midst of the city of Jerusalem but rather the churches which were established through Asia—churches such as Ephesus, Galatia, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth, Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, etc. We must needs recognize and understand this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for within the New Testament book of Acts we discover the church being established and founded in the upper room within the city of Jerusalem as the Holy Spirit was poured out upon at least one-hundred and twenty. With this being said, however, we must needs recognize and understand that this book brings us face to face with the truth that the church was and would not be confined and relegated to the city of Jerusalem nor even among the Jews themselves. If you take the time to read the words which are found within the New Testament book of Acts you will find that although the church would originate and begin in the city of Jerusalem among the Jews it would eventually and ultimately grow beyond Jerusalem and—as Jesus had spoken—would begin to be manifested in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. It was Jesus who declare unto those who were present with Him at the mount called Olivet that they would receive power after that the Holy Ghost was come upon them and they would be witnesses unto Him in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. What we find within the New Testament book of Acts is the beginning of the fulfillment of the words which the Lord Jesus spoke for in the eighth chapter of this book we find a great persecution breaking out against the church which was present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. As a direct result of this the disciples of Christ and the church—all but the apostles themselves—would be scattered beyond Jerusalem and into Judaea and Galilee. The eighth chapter would indeed mark a wonderful transition for the church and body of Christ, and although it would be persecution which would be the catalyst that would cause the church and body of Christ to move beyond Jerusalem it would nonetheless bring about the fulfillment of the words which the Lord Jesus Christ had spoken unto His disciples. The Lord Jesus Christ promised that they would be witnesses unto Him in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth and within the New Testament book of Acts we find the church beginning in Jerusalem, expanding throughout Judaea and Galilee, moving into Galilee, continuing to grow among the Gentiles within Asia and ultimately moving into Europe and finding its way to Rome itself. A TALE OF TWO CITIES! Oh there is something truly incredible about this New Testament book of Acts for within it we are brought face to face with the incredible and wonderful truth surrounding the church of Jesus Christ beginning in the city of Jerusalem and yet by the time the book of Acts would draw to a close it would make its way all the way to Rome itself. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that the early church did indeed begin among one-hundred and twenty (or thereabouts) in an upper room in the midst of the city of Jerusalem, would increase growth of three thousand souls in its first day, would eventually grow to upwards of five thousand souls and would then continue to grow beyond simply the city of Jerusalem and would expand into all Judaea, into Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth all the way unto Rome itself. What we must needs understand is that the city of Jerusalem was too small and was not big enough to hold the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The body of Christ would indeed begin in the midst of the city of Jerusalem, however, the New Testament book of Acts would demonstrate and reveal that the city of Jerusalem could not contain the body of Christ nor His disciples and those who would believe upon His name and follow Him. One of the greatest truths surrounding the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ and the giving of His Spirit is that while He was confined to being in one place at one time during those three and a half years of public ministry this would not be so for the person and presence of the Holy Spirit—and not only for the person and presence of the Holy Spirit but also for the church and body of Christ as a whole. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand just how absolutely incredible this truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus and His body which would be present upon the earth. During the days of the early church we would find it beginning and expanding and growing in the midst of the city of Jerusalem, however, persecution would be the catalyst and instrument that would prove that Jerusalem was too small for the church and body of Christ. Although the city of Jerusalem was big enough to house the physical Temple which stood upon the Temple Mount—and had since the days the first Temple was built and completed by Solomon—it would not be big enough to house and contain the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that although the city of Jerusalem would indeed be big enough to house and contain the physical and natural temple of the living God which was present in the midst of it—a temple which Jesus Himself had come to many a time during His three and a half years of public ministry—it would not be big enough for a new and living temple which was made without human hands. There is a great and powerful need to recognize and understand this for from the day of Pentecost until the year 70 A.D. there would be two distinct temples which were present upon the earth. There would be the physical and natural Temple which was built by human hands which was present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem but there would also be a spiritual temple which was made without human hands that would be present in Jerusalem, in Judaea, in Galilee, in Samaria, in Asia, in Rome and one which would begin to branch out into the uttermost parts of the earth. For nearly four decades there would be two temples which would be present in the midst of the earth while the physical and natural Temple would remain in the midst of the city of Jerusalem where it would be positioned until its destruction in the year 70 A.D. Perhaps one of the greatest truths surrounding the New Testament book of Acts is that of how although men would persecute the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit which was present upon the earth and although men would persecute the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ they could never destroy it. Throughout the New Testament book of Acts you will find men raising their hands against the spiritual body of Christ and against the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit and yet despite how much they persecuted it and despite how many martyrs were created and despite how much blood was shed in the Roman Colosseum—neither the spiritual body of Jesus nor the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit could be destroyed. Although the physical and natural temple which was built with human hands could and would be destroyed by other human hands in the year 70 A.D. human hands could never destroy the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit. For nearly four decades there would indeed be two distinct temples present in the midst of the earth with the physical and natural temple made with human hands abiding and being present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. Oh the city of Jerusalem was indeed big enough to house and contain the spiritual and natural temple which was built with human hands, however, when this new and living temple which was made without human hands would be manifested in the earth the city itself would not be big enough to house and contain it. Stop and consider the fact that on the first day three thousand souls would be added to the number of those who were present in the upper room. On the first day of the formation and creation of the spiritual body of Christ three thousand souls would be added and Luke would write how the Lord would add daily to the church such as should be saved. If there is one thing I absolutely love about the New Testament book which was written by the beloved physician Luke it’s that the city of Jerusalem was not big enough to house and contain the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit. Although on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon one hundred and twenty in the upper room and although on the first day of its formation there would be three thousand souls added unto the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ the city would eventually prove to be too small for the body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit. There is something incredibly powerful and unique about this when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the formation of the church and body of the Lord Jesus Christ. During the days of the early church it would indeed begin within the midst of the city of Jerusalem, however, there would come a point when the city itself would prove to be too small. What’s more is that not only would the city of Jerusalem prove to be too small for the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ because of the growth it would experience but it would also be too small according to the word which the Lord Jesus had spoken. It was Jesus Himself who had spoken and declared unto those at the mount called Olivet that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, then in all Judaea, then in Samaria and ultimately unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that the city of Jerusalem was never intended to house and contain the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ nor the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Eventually and ultimately the city of Jerusalem would be too small to contain the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ, too small to contain the person and presence of the Holy Spirit, and too small to contain the words which the Lord had spoken. It was the Lord Jesus who declared unto those who were with Him at the mount called Olivet that they would be witnesses unto Him after that the Holy Spirit came upon them and they received power and would be such beginning in Jerusalem and ultimately in all Judaea, in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. We must needs take the time to acknowledge and understand this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the expansion of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as the spiritual Temple of the Holy Spirit. The early church would indeed be formed and created on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would be sent from the Father by the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and it would fill and baptize around one-hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room. The church would indeed experience tremendous growth in its first day for on that first day three thousand souls would be added unto the number of those who were present in the upper room. Pause for a moment and ask yourself when the last time was you witnessed and beheld three thousand souls being added to the number of the members of the body of Christ. When was the last time you personally witnessed three thousand souls being added unto the body of Christ—not over times nor during the stretch of “revival meetings” but in a single day. The New Testament book of Acts reveals how in a single day three thousand souls were added unto their number—three thousand genuine and authentic conversions who would become followers of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would dare say we are hard pressed to point to a single time when in a single day three thousand souls were added to the number of members and attendees in our church buildings. If fact I would dare say that outside of perhaps crusades such as those which were led by Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonke and certain others there have been very few possibilities of three thousand souls—even a number close to that—coming to faith in the person of the Lord Jesus in a single day. The more I read the words which are found in this New Testament book of Acts the more I am brought face to face with the incredibly awesome and powerful truth surrounding how incredibly powerful it truly is. This New Testament book of Acts is about so much more than simply a book about the words and works of the apostles of Jesus Christ—including the apostle Paul. In fact I would dare say that if we are going to call this book a book of the acts of the apostles we might as well drop off the “s” at the end of that word and just refer to it as the book of the acts of the apostle. Pause for a moment and think about the fact that from the ninth chapter through the twenty-eighth and final chapter much of the language centers around the apostle Paul and his missionary journeys which he made throughout Asia and Europe establishing and building churches wherever he went. The apostle Paul would journey throughout Asia and would eventually enter into Europe and would indeed establish churches as far as Turkey, Greece and even Italy. What would begin in what is known as modern day Israel would indeed expand beyond it and would be found in the modern day countries of Turkey, Greece and Italy. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for if we would even think of referring to this book as the acts of the apostles we must take it a step further and say that it is a book of the acts of a single apostle—the apostle Paul—for it was he who much of the book would indeed be written about. It would be the apostle Paul who had previously been the single greatest destroyer of the church who would become the single greatest advocate and builder of the church of Jesus Christ within and upon the earth. It would be the apostle Paul who would indeed commit the remainder of his natural life in Christ building and establishing the church(es) which were present in the midst of the earth according to the divine will of the Father and his appointment by the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a great and tremendous need for us to recognize and understand this for when we read the New Testament book of Acts we must recognize and understand that it is a book about the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the earth—and not only about the spiritual body of Christ but also the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit. While it was indeed true the church would begin, have its roots and foundation in the midst of the city of Jerusalem we must needs acknowledge that the city of Jerusalem would eventually be too small for this spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ. We would like to think that the city itself was big enough and large enough to house the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit, however, as we will see in the eighth chapter and beyond within this book the city would be entirely and altogether too small. The city of Jerusalem would indeed be home to the physical and natural temple which was present in the midst of it, however, it would not be the home of the spiritual body of the spiritual Temple which would be established on the day of Pentecost. What’s more is that if there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that while Jerusalem would be home to the physical and natural temple which was built with human hands—neither the Holy Spirit nor the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit would have a physical and natural home. The earthly and natural temple would indeed have and find its home in the midst of the city of Jerusalem but the spiritual temple would have no such home. Just as the Son of man had nowhere to lay His head so also would the Temple of the Holy Spirit be the same way for it would not have a place to lay its head or abide and remain. The spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit has never had nor will it ever have a single place where it can truly describe and speak of as that which is its home and resting place. I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found within this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be absolutely gripped and captivated with and by the fact that the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit would never have a foundation upon which it was built such as the earthly Temple which was built upon the Temple Mount. Of course we know that the spiritual temple was built around and upon the chief Cornerstone who is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, there would be no single place within and upon the earth where it would have its foundation and rest upon. What was true during the days of the apostles and early church has continued to be true throughout the generations and centuries up to the generation in which we are living. The spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit has never had a physical and natural place upon which it has rested but has instead been in existence within, upon and throughout the earth. If there is one thing the book of Acts reveals it’s that the spiritual Temple of the Holy Spirit was too great to abide and remain in the city of Jerusalem alone. What’s more is that the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit would be too big to abide in the midst of Judaea itself and would need to and eventually spread beyond Judaea and even Samaria. Oh we must needs recognize and understand this for there is something truly spectacular about this spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit and how this spiritual temple would indeed be such that would be present within and upon the earth and could not be confined to a single place or location. The physical and natural temple would indeed rest and abide upon the Temple Mount in the midst of the city of Jerusalem, however, it could not be transported from place to place throughout Judaea and even Galilee. If you take the time to read the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will find that it is incredibly Jewish-centric in its nature. Within and throughout the gospel you will find mention and reference to the Jewish feasts which were celebrated by Jews—and not only those Jews which were present in the city of Jerusalem but also those Jews who were present throughout Judaea, throughout Galilee and even those who were scattered among the Gentiles. In fact if you come to the second chapter of this New Testament book of Acts you will find that at the time of the feast of Pentecost there would be Jews from all about Judaea, Galilee and Samaria for there would be countless Jews who were present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem at the time of the feast of Pentecost. This is something which we must needs recognize and understand for the Jews within and throughout Judaea, Samaria and even those among the Gentiles would need to come to the city of Jerusalem if they wanted to worship at the Temple. The physical and natural temple could not be transported and brought from place to place throughout Judaea, throughout Galilee and even among the Gentiles where many Jews found their dwelling and abode. The physical Temple which stood in the midst of the city of Jerusalem was secure upon the foundation of the Temple Mount and therefore could not be moved from that place and moved throughout Judaea, Galilee and even in those places where the Jews which were scattered among the Gentiles were present. Oh even though the Tabernacle itself would go with the children of Israel as they journeyed and wandered through the wilderness it could not be moved while it was set up and standing in the midst of them. The Tabernacle would have to be taken down and all its furnishings and instruments carried by the priests and the Levites as the children of Israel went from place to place in the midst of the wilderness. What’s more is that once the children of Israel would pass over the Jordan River during the days of Joshua the son of Nun the tabernacle would be established in Shiloh where it would abide and remain unto the Temple of Solomon would be built in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. This is something we must needs recognize and understand when reading the New Testament book of Acts for the physical Temple which stood in the midst of the city of Jerusalem could not be moved from its place and transported to a different place within Judaea or Galilee. The New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John presents us with this truth for the public ministry of Jesus—particularly and especially in the city of Jerusalem—would indeed be centered upon the Temple which stood in the midst of the city of Jerusalem as well as the Jewish feasts which were celebrated during those days. There were at least three Passovers Jesus would come to Jerusalem to celebrate and there were other feasts such as the feast of Tabernacles which Jesus would come unto the city of Jerusalem for. What’s more is there would be countless times when the Lord Jesus would come unto the city of Jerusalem and would enter into the midst of the Temple and would teach all those who would gather themselves unto Him to hear and listen to Him speak. We must needs understand and acknowledge this for when we come to the New Testament book of Acts we find the Jewish Temple still remaining in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. The physical and natural Temple which was built with and by human hands would and could not be moved from its place and moved throughout the regions of Judaea and Galilee unto those places where the Jews themselves would be. When, however, we talk and speak about the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit we must needs recognize and understand that this new and living temple would have no earthly foundation upon which it was built and as such would and could not be confined to a single solitary location. I sit here today thinking about and considering these words and I can’t help but be absolutely gripped and captivated with the words and language found in the New Testament book of Acts. It is within the first chapter of this New Testament book we find mention and reference to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on the third day, reference to His ascension unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven and even reference to His coming again in the same manner in which those who were present with Him at the mount called Olivet had witnessed and beheld. Within the first chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative we encounter and come face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the resurrection, the ascension and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and how the ascension of the Lord Jesus and His coming again were intrinsically linked and connected to each other. In fact within the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be the mystery of his coming back and return for the two men who were clothed in white and appeared among those who were present on this particular day would declare unto them that in the same manner in which they saw the Lord Jesus Christ ascended unto the right hand of the Father so also would He return and come back again. Oh this is something we must needs recognize and understand when reading the first chapter of the New Testament book of Acts for the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as the return and coming again of the Lord would indeed be directly connected to the spiritual body which would remain and abide within and upon the earth. It would be Jesus’ resurrection from the grave on the third day that would ultimately make room for His ascension unto the right hand of the Father forty days after He was raised from the dead. It would be as a direct result of His ascension the Lord Jesus would be able to send the promise of the Father which was indeed the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. It would be this person and presence of the Holy Spirit who would establish and give birth to the spiritual temple and spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth. I am absolutely convinced that if we want to truly understand the words which are found within the first and opening chapter of this New Testament book we must needs recognize and understand the concept of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ—and not only the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ but also the mystery surrounding the resurrection of Jesus the Christ and its implications and impact on the resurrection we ourselves can and will experience. It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the twelfth and fifteenth chapters of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. What’s more is I would also like to call and draw your attention to the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the fourth chapter of the first epistle written unto the Thessalonian saints—the first of thirteen epistles which the apostle Paul would write unto various churches and individuals. It is within these passages of Scripture where we not only get a good picture of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ but we also find an incredibly powerful picture of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as His coming again for that spiritual body which began and was formed on the day of Pentecost. Having said this I now invite you to consider the following words which are found in these passages of Scripture beginning with the twelfth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to protein withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet. But one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those m embers of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

“Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand al mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth no in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but where there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glad, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and rink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:12-34).

“But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raise a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have burned the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Corinthians 15:35-49).

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall hav put on incorruption, and this mortal shall hav put on. Immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The string of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the world of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not p recent them which are asleep. 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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4;13-18).

I fully recognize and understand that there was a lot of words and language which were written and presented in this writing just now. I fully realize that I have included words from the first epistle the apostle Paul wrote unto the Corinthian saints as well as those which he wrote in the first epistle written unto the Thessalonian saints. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words presented in these passages of Scripture for in order to understand that which is found in the New Testament book of Acts we must needs understand the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. It would indeed be the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ which would indeed make possible everything we read and find within the New Testament book of Acts. It was the apostle Paul who would write unto the Corinthian saints that unless Jesus Christ were raised from death to life our faith were in vain. What’s more is the apostle Paul would also declare that if Christ be not raised from dead then those who died in Him have indeed perished and are no more. The apostle Paul would go on to declare that if in this life we alone have hope then we are of and among men most miserable. That which the apostle Paul sought to convey when writing the words found in the first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints is not only that Jesus was raised from death to life on the third day but also that He ascended unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. What we must needs recognize and understand is that Jesus the Christ died and was buried in the tomb that he might be raised from death to life and He was raised from death to life that he might ascend unto the right hand of the Father. What’s more is that He ascended unto the right hand of the Father that the promise of the Father which is the person of the Holy Spirit might come and be manifested. What’s more is that He ascended unto the right hand of the Father that a spiritual temple and dwelling for the Holy Spirit would be built on earth while He in heaven would build a spiritual dwelling which would indeed be present where he and the Father were.

I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found within the first and opening chapter of the New Testament book of Acts and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the incredibly awesome and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ being raised from death to life—and not only being raised from death to life but also ascending unto the right hand of the Father. It was absolutely necessary for Jesus to be raised from death to life on the third day that He ascend unto the Father forty days later. It was necessary for Jesus to ascend unto the right hand of the Father for Jesus would indeed send the promise of the Father from the right hand of the Father. What’s more is that ten days after He ascended unto the right hand of the Father the spiritual temple and spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be established in the midst of the earth. Oh how absolutely incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and how absolutely incredible and powerful His resurrection and ascension truly were. It would be within the first and opening chapter of this New Testament book we encounter and come face to face with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus on the third day, as well as the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ ten days later, and the return and coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ to gather together unto Himself all those who have died in Him and those who are alive and remain. It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which our Lord Himself spoke unto His disciples on the night in which He was betrayed in the upper room concerning His departure—and not only concerning His departure but also concerning His coming again as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John beginning to read in the thirteenth chapter:

“Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:31-35).

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come a gain, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:1-4).

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).

“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works> believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing. In my name, I will do it” (John 14:9-14).

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:15-21).

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keep the not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:23-24).

“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto. You. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence” (John 14:25-31).

“These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that I hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also psercute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:17-26).

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killest h you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. NEverhtless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and. Ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:1-11).
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father” (John 15:12-16).

“Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that you joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in probers, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father” (John 16;19-28).

“Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:31-33).

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the words which are found in the New Testament book of Acts for it is a book that is centered around the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ and the spiritual temple of the Holy Spirit. Although the physical body and person of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be removed from the earth through His ascension there would be a spiritual body that would remain and abide within and upon the earth in His absence. It’s actually quite intriguing to think about the fact that in the absence of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father the person and presence of the Holy Spirit would abide and dwell with and within them. What’s more is that in the absence of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father upon the earth there would be a spiritual body that would remain within and upon the earth. There is a great need for us to recognize and pay attention to this for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth surrounding the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ that would indeed remain and abide within and upon the earth. The Lord Jesus Christ would no longer be present upon the earth and yet there would be both a spiritual presence of Him in the earth as well as a spiritual body upon the earth. Although the physical person of the Lord Jesus Christ would no longer be present in the midst of the earth He would be present through the manifestation of the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. It would be the Holy Spirit that would be the abiding person and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ on the earth among the saints of God and disciples of Christ. Moreover—despite the fact that the physical person of the Lord Jesus would no longer be present upon the earth—there would be a spiritual body that would be present in the earth that would carry out and continue the same works which He Himself had begun.

There is something truly astonishing and powerful about the words which we find within the New Testament book of Acts for within it we find the reality that while it was indeed true there was a physical body prepared for Jesus that he might be the Word made flesh there was also a spiritual body that would be prepared for Him after His departure. This spiritual body would be the means and method whereby He would still be present and manifested in the earth and whereby the works which He began would continue to be manifested in the earth. Although Jesus would no longer be present upon the earth He would have a spiritual body present in the midst of the earth that would indeed carry out and continue His works. What’s more is that this spiritual body would carry out and continue His works throughout the generations from the time He ascended unto the Father until the time He would return and come again to gather together both the dead in Christ as well as those which were alive and remained at the time of His coming. This is something we must needs understand when reading the New Testament book of Acts for within this book we find the beginning of the manifestation of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ within and upon the earth as His body would carry out the works and take His words and message to the uttermost parts of the earth. What’s more is that this spiritual body would and could not be destroyed like His physical body was when it was nailed to the cross and crucified at Calvary. Oh it is indeed true that men can persecute the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and even the apostle Paul himself bore witness to this on the road to Damascus when Jesus declared unto Him that it was He whom he was persecuting. Perhaps the single greatest truth we must needs recognize is that although the physical Temple made with human hands could be destroyed and although the physical temple which was the body of Jesus Christ could be crucified and nailed to a tree there would be absolutely no way man or even the gates of hell itself could destroy the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ.