John 20:19-23

Jesus appeared to His disciples but Thomas is absent -- John 20:19-23: The disciples gathered on the first day of the week. Fear of the Jewish leaders caused them to meet behind closed doors. Luke tells us they were discussing the resurrection of Jesus. (Luke 24:33-35) During this meeting Jesus appeared to them with the words, “Peace be with you!” When Jesus first appeared the disciples were frightened because they thought He was a spirit. (Luke 24:37) As Jesus showed the disciple His hands and side they became convinced that this was Jesus and that He had been resurrected. They were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Jesus promised the disciples "peace" and gave them a "commission." He said, "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." It is no surprise that Jesus can provide peace because he is the "Prince of Peace." Isaiah wrote, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus breathed on the apostle and said unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." This was the same promise as found in Acts 1:4-5. "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." The promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost of which we have the record in Acts 2:1-47. In order for the apostles to be correct in their remitting or retaining sins, it was necessary for them to be inspired of the Holy Spirit. This explains why they must wait in Jerusalem for that power.