Happy Eastertide

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By His resurrection, Christ conquered sin and death. Following the resurrection, the Bible tells us that Christ remained on earth for 40 days. He appeared to many people and did many wonderous things. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from there He will come again.

He did not leave us here alone, though. Christ promised to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The disciples received miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and God continues to equip us with the gifts that we need today.

Ministry Gifts

A study of Ministry Gifts is particularly appropriate during Eastertide as we wait to celebrate the ascension of the Lord and the miracles of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. A Ministry Gifts survey is posted here at HymnSite.com. You are encouraged to take the survey. For more information, follow this link.

Back to Eastertide. Here is a short description of the events from the morning of the resurrection through the day of Pentecost. I hope you enjoy them.

God bless you--
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The story of Christ did not end with His resurrection. The story continued while He remained on earth, and it continues today as He lives in us and gives us life. The period of time following the resurrection and leading up to Pentecost is sometimes referred to as "Eastertide." Christ remained on earth for forty days following the resurrection. He appeared to the disciples and many others and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He spoke of the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3

On the first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid on Good Friday. The Lord's burial had been done in haste, and the women had come to finish the work. Matt 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1

The women were worried about moving the heavy stone that had been rolled over the entrance to the tomb. To the amazement of the women, the stone had been rolled away and there were angels at the tomb. Matt 28:2-7; Mark 16:3-7; Luke 24:2-8; John 20:1

Some disciples also went to see the empty tomb. Peter went inside and saw the burial cloths that had been placed on Christ's body. Luke 24:12; John 20:3-9

When the tomb had been sealed, Roman guards were posted to make sure that no one stole Christ's body. When the stone rolled away, though, the guards were scared. When Christ was missing, they went to the Jewish priests. The priests paid the guards to say that they had fallen asleep. Matt 28:4, 11-15

No one had stolen Christ's body, though. He had risen from the grave and he appeared to many people. Christ appeared first to women, and especially to Mary Magdalene. Matt 28:8-10; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-17

The women shared with the disciples the exciting news that Christ was no longer held by the tomb. He is risen! Luke 24:9-10; John 20:18

Christ also appeared to others. He walked along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus with two of His followers. They did not recognize Him until He broke bread with them. Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-32

Christ appeared to a large group of the disciples and shared food with them. Matt 28:16; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-49

Thomas was not with the other disciples when they first saw Jesus. He said he would not believe unless he could see and touch Jesus himself. A week later, Thomas had the opportunity to do just that, and Thomas believed. John 20:24-29

Christ appeared again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. The disciples were fishing when Jesus instructed them to throw their nets over the right side of their boats. The catch was too large to pull into the boat. John 21:1-14

Sitting with His disciples, Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Just as Peter had denied Christ three times during the trials, Peter affirmed his love for Christ three times. Christ told him, "Feed my sheep." John 21:15-17

Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave his disciples many instructions. He told them to go, preach the good news, and make disciples. He also told them to wait in Jerusalem until their baptism by the Holy Spirit. Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:4-5

Christ raised His hands, blessed the disciples, and ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:1-2, 9

When Christ had ascended, two men dressed in white appeared next to the disciples and asked, "Why are you looking into the sky?" They assured the disciples that Jesus would return again. Acts 1:10-11

Judas took his own life after betraying Christ. The disciples selected Matthias to take his place. Acts 1:15-26

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all together. The sound of wind filled the house and a flame appeared, divided, and rested on each of the disciples. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4

The apostles preached the good news in many languages. The people in Jerusalem were amazed. Peter delivered a powerful message of repentance, and 3,000 were added to the followers of Christ that day. Acts 2:5-41

The messages of the resurrection and Pentecost are still as important today as ever. We need the message of salvation, and we need to share the message of salvation. God bless you as you go forth to hear and to share the good news.

God bless you--
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O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

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