Passage: Ephesians 5:18

Paul links two things in this verse that, at first glance, don't seem to go together at all-drunkenness and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We see this same connection at Pentecost. What is going on here?

 Passage: Ephesians 1:18

The preaching of the Apostles emphasized the ascension of Jesus Christ every bit as much as His death and resurrection, In fact, they often treat the three: the cross, the resurrection, and ascension, as one. Their message says that the One who died and was resurrected now regins as exalted Lord above everything else, Ephesians 1:18-22 is one of those passages that directly speaks of Jesus' ascension and His present position. Let's look at it and see what it says about Jesus who reigns above all.

 Passage: Acts 11:1 & Acts 11:15

 Passage: Acts 5:30-31

Peter says that the resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about repentance and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:30-31). I wasn't surprised that forgiveness was a result of the resurrection, but repentance? I'd always thought repentance was our job, pretty much a human effort, and Jesus' job was to forgive.

 Passage: Luke 7:36

Luke 7 tells about a sinful woman who crashed a banquet at which Jesus was a guest, washing, kissing and anointing his feet. The drama has just three characters: Jesus, Simon the Pharisee who hosted the banquets, and the unnamed woman. It's a story of contrasts.