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The Testimony of Believers

Lesson Twenty-seven: by turtle

This is the final lesson in the Bible study session of Testimony of Believers. The reaction of
those receiving Christ words are not always clear, but the truth of the matter that is much
like minister preaching from the pulpit, unless you give your face away, the minister
never knows if the words of scripture or his is making impact. However no minister likes
a stone cold face reaction all the time or to here little response. Our ministers are in need
of encouragement and that is actually a gift of the Holy Spirit. However this last chapter
in Luke tells the story of Christ resurrection and what the believers found. I have no
doubt that the empty tomb was a shock, yet the presents of the angels had to have been a
calming effect, after all His mysterious birth was foretold by the Angel Gabriel. Yet again
God uses angels to minister to the woman. What interesting about angels and God
speaking, is that there are few accounts of God speaking directly to women. However the
women did speak to the angels. Samson’s mother seen the Lord. That only account I can
recall. However woman can talk straight to God. Samuel, mother Hannah prayed, yet
Esther instructor was her uncle Mordecai, though she prayed and fasted for her nation as
well. Yet if we look to how God answered these two woman he spoke to them through the
elders. What the importance of this, is that God does not exclude women. In fact woman
were first to testify of the Lord. For Eve testified she gotten a son from the Lord. The
woman at the well in John 4 she went and testified of Christ to her village and they came
and talk to Jesus. The fact that the women were the first to see the empty tomb, is a
testimony of the honor God gave women, because of their faith, because of their duty,
because of their hope and understanding of scripture perhaps. For Mary in John 12 had
told Jesus that if He been their her brother would not of died, yet she believed in the
resurrection and Jesus raised Lazarus up, the way He himself would rise from the tomb.

Mary and the women went to finish the body preparation to preserve it, when they got
there the tomb was empty. Imagine seeing that empty tomb. What would your thoughts
have been? I not sure of my own, even with knowing without doubt in my own heart that
the tomb was empty. Yet many miracles had occurred that no doubt the woman knew it
was possible. Then the angels spoke to the women. Telling them to remember what Jesus
spoke when in Galilee, and them to go tell the disciples. Peter runs to see the tomb and
takes note of the linen cloth where it laid and leaves maybe a bit bewilder.

Luke 24:1-12 KJV
(1) Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the
sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
(2) And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
(3) And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
(4) And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood
by them in shining garments:
(5) And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto
them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
(6) He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in
Galilee,
(7) Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be
crucified, and the third day rise again.
(8) And they remembered his words,
(9) And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all
the rest.
(10) It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other
women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
(11) And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
(12) Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the
linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was
come to pass.

Peter’s thoughts would have been normal, the complexity and intricacies of the situation.
Those pondering thoughts. Two disciples went to Emmaus and a strange caught up to
them and began to question them about the conversation they were having. They began to
tell the stranger about the crucifixion and the trial. Yet the conversation did not stop
there but they began to tell of the empty tomb.

Luke 24:13-34 KJV
(13) And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was
from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
(14) And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
(15) And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself
drew near, and went with them.
(16) But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
(17) And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one
to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
(18) And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou
only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there
in these days?
(19) And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of
Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
(20) And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death,
and have crucified him.
(21) But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all
this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
(22) Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early
at the sepulchre;
(23) And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision
of angels, which said that he was alive.
(24) And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so
as the women had said: but him they saw not.
(25) Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
have spoken:
(26) Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
(27) And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the
scriptures the things concerning himself.
(28) And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he
would have gone further.
(29) But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the
day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
(30) And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and
brake, and gave to them.
(31) And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
(32) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with
us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
(33) And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven
gathered together, and them that were with them,
(34) Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

The convinced the stranger to stay because it was late with them. In all truth it is
dangerous to invite a stranger into your house but this was an inn. And the stranger sat
and continued to talk with them and broke the bread and gave them the cup. Upon seeing
this the man disappeared. The disciples knew He was the Lord. They ran back to the
upper room and told the eleven that Simon had seen the Lord. Christ appeared to His
disciples in the upper room. Nothing unusual, Jesus seems to do a reappearing act several
times in the course of His ministry, however why not from beyond the grave. The truth
Christ is risen and this was just another sign of the resurrection. Christ is in his glorified
body. Perhaps the same body seen by Abraham at his own visitation as well as visitation in
the fiery furnace that King Nebuchadnezzar seeing the fourth man in the fire.

God can manifest Himself to anyone. Though many people may doubt a vision or sighting,
Especially government, or other believers that would question an act of God thru vision, it
is not impossible. Yet the purpose should be clear. And it is at the moment Christ came to
the upper room. It was so all might know not just one. Christ return will be much that
same way all eyes will behold him not just one or two believers. It is so we all might
believe, yet all will believe on judgment day but will God’s mercy come forth or will many
find themselves facing the fiery pit because of unbelief. Not all that say Lord Lord will
enter the kingdom of heaven.

Proof that Jesus was not just a spirit. Some churches today believe Christ is risen but only
in the heart, they believe not that Jesus is physically risen. Yet the proof is when Jesus ate
with them, for a spirit can not eat meat.

Luke 24:35-45 KJV
(35) And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in
breaking of bread.
(36) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them,
Peace be unto you.
(37) But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
(38) And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your
hearts?
(39) Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath
not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
(40) And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
(41) And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye
here any meat?
(42) And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
(43) And he took it, and did eat before them.
(44) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in
the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
(45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

With the reading and understanding of scripture the eyes are opened. With the hearing of
the word the blind can see. This is a spiritual blindness and opening spiritually to light of
God and His Word. Yet it stops there for Christ promises that a comforter the Holy Spirit
will come to those that believe. Christ ascends into heaven leaving a testimony of a
remnant of believers behind.

Luke 24:46-53 KJV
(46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to
rise from the dead the third day:
(47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(48) And ye are witnesses of these things.
(49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
(50) And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed
them.
(51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up
into heaven.
(52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
(53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is real, you must receive Him. Must receive Him to enable you
to do His will. There is a complete Bible study on the Holy Spirit. Without Jesus
ascending to heaven, the Holy Spirit would not come to anoint each believer, to seal the
heart of each believer as being a child of God or enabling each believer to do the will of
God. Those task thought impossible is possible by the work of God.