Would you please exegesis John 20:21-23. I note Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, so send I you." Since He was specifically speaking to the ten men in the room (Apostles). What manifestation of the Holy Spirit is this? How do you equate this "breath" of Jesus with Acts 2:4 when the Holy Spirit came with "power"?
Thank you,
Jack Mann

Testing

“Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (John 20:21-23).”

When Jesus “breathed on them” the same thought is conveyed in (Gen. 2:7): “The Lord formed man from the dust of the ground and ‘breathed’ into his nostrils the ‘breath of life’, and the man became a living soul.” It carries with it the idea that I (Jesus) am sending you out to teach and convert (The Great Commission) and those who receive my Words of inspiration (by the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit to come to you apostles shortly) will live, or perish. It’s not that the apostles-to-be have the authority to forgive or retain sins but it is the message of the gospel that will announce the terms of forgiveness of sins. And this promise of the Comforter would not become effective until the day of Pentecost, by the way (Joel 2:28-32). And Peter in his Sermon confirmed this also (Acts 2:16…). Plus, I don’t think the apostles-to-be received any inspiration of the Holy Spirit at this time or they would NOT have asked the Lord Jesus before He ascended into heaven: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel” (Acts 1:6)? To me, when Christ “breathed” on them this was more of a confirmation of their apostleship than the promised Spirit of POWER in (Acts 1:4-5, 8) when they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
What the apostles received in (Acts 2:1-4) was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This would enable the apostles to do the work to which God had chosen and called them to do. What they received enabled them to do the signs (Mark 16:19-20) or the works of an apostle (II Corinthians 12:12).

Well, I just got a call, I need to run. I know this is brief, but maybe it’s a start.

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BVidlar

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him” (Psalm 8:4)?

What the apostles received in (Acts 2:1-4) was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This would enable the apostles to do the work to which God had chosen and called them to do. What they received enabled them to do the signs (Mark 16:19-20) or the works of an apostle (II Corinthians 12:12).

Thank you for reply. Interesting that Jesus said, "As my Father has sent me, even so send I you." I read where the Father sent Jesus with "all power and authority." I see the apostles as "ambassadors" for the "King." This is why we know that on Pentecost, Peter had authority to remit or retain sins from the ambassadors of the King. "They that gladly received his words were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Those who did not "receive their word" had their sins retained would they not?

We read in Acts 1:2 that Luke writes, "Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen." Before His ascension He had spoken direct revelation to these men.

We must remember that these men had been working signs and wonders long before Pentecost. I note Matthew 10 where He gave the twelve power against unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all mammer of disease."
Actually, we see the speaking of languages by the apostles, nothing mentioned by Luke of the "sun being turned into darkness and the moon into blood" etc. as prophesied by Joel. Can we say that the "power" of Pentecost is the ability of the apostles to preach the Gospel noting Matthew 10:19; John 14:25-26?
Thanks again, Pentecost is a great study.....The devout Jews asked "what meaneth this?" (Acts 2:12). Men still struggle for an answer today.
Jack Mann

Yes, and I am glad you used the word “ability” when referring to the word, “power.” In the Greek “power” means [dynamis], this is where we get the word, dynamite. It means: strength power, ability, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth.
As Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation.” But as a note of caution, this “power” is based on facts. Along with your verses notice also this passage:
“Nevertheless 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.
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” (John 16:7-14).
Sin, righteousness, and judgement. PLUS, He will abide, comfort, and reveal all truth to the apostles-to-be. This is the “Spirit of truth” working through the apostles in power. The reason I point that out is that some tend to put the emphasis of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) on the miracles instead of the facts that Peter presented at Pentecost.

By the way, I was a bit rushed when I posted earlier. Welcome to the forum and thanks for your question and comments.

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BVidlar

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him” (Psalm 8:4)?

Hi Jack,
Good to see you are posting fine now. Glad to have you in the forum and welcome!