For the past several posts the subject has been about the risen Christ. The coming of the Holy Spirit is directly connected to Jesus having been raised from the dead, ascending into heaven, and now seated at the right hand of God. The glory that the Son of God had set aside to come into a human body has been restored to Him, and that glory now is bestowed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God/Son of Man that is seated in heaven.
This is a TRUTH that the Church, the Body of Christ, must understand. Why? Because the Church, believers in Jesus Christ, the Body of Christ is now governed by the same Holy Spirit that governed Jesus as He lived His life in human flesh. Each of us individually and the Church corporately, must realize that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to manifest the risen Lord Jesus Christ through the Church to a lost and dying world.
How? The Holy Spirit ‘governs’ the Body of Christ.
Therefore:
The Word of God is very explicit that the Promise of the Father; the coming of the Holy Spirit; the Third Person of the Trinity, could not be poured out until the Lord Jesus Christ was glorified.
John 12:27-28 NKJV, Jesus speaking of His upcoming crucifixion says, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
God, the Father will glorify His Son.
John 7:37-39 Amplified Version, “Now on the last and most important day of the feast {Feast of Tabernacles}, Jesus stood and called [in a loud voice], “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living waters.’ ” [Isaiah 58:11, John 4: 14] But He was speaking of the [Holy] Spirit, whom those who believed in Him [as Savior] were to receive afterward. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).” {insert mine}
We know from the sequence of events surrounding Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension, that the Promise of the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, took place because the Lord Jesus Christ is Glorified.
Derek Prince, in his book, The Spirit Filled Believers Handbook (pages 288-289)* writes: “The baptism in the Holy Spirit, which Peter and the other disciples had just received (on the Day of Pentecost), constituted for each of them direct, personal evidence and assurance that their risen Lord was now both exalted and glorified at the Father’s right hand. Ten days earlier a little group of them had stood on the Mount of Olives and watched Jesus be taken up from them out of their sight. “And a cloud received Him out of their sight. Acts 1:9). ” That was the last physical contact the disciples had with Jesus. Then, ten days later on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s coming gave to each disciple a new, direct and personal contact with Christ. Each one now knew with a fresh assurance that their Savior, whom the world had despised, rejected and crucified, was henceforth and forever exalted and glorified at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Only from the Father’s presence could Jesus have received this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit which He, in turn, imparted to His waiting disciples. Receiving this gift gave them total assurance that Jesus was actually in the glory of the Father’s presence, invested with authority and power over the entire universe.” (insert mine)
Derek Prince substantiates his thoughts with the following verses.
He quotes the New King James Version:
Ephesians 1:20-23, “…He (God) raised Him (Jesus) from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (inserts, Derek Prince)
Philippians 2:9, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name”…
Hebrews 1:3-4, When He (Jesus) had by Himself purged our sins. [He] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”(insert mine) [insert, Derek Prince]
Derek Prince continues, “Peter says of Christ after His resurrection: “…who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” (I Peter 3:22)
Summing up his thought, Derek Prince continues, “Through these and other scriptures every believer understands by faith that Jesus Christ is not merely risen from the dead; He is also ascended and glorified at the Father’s right hand. However, the believer who receives the baptism in the Holy Spirit receives with it a new kind of direct, personal evidence and assurance of Christ’s exaltation in power and glory at the Father’s throne.” (pg. 289)*
What does it mean theologically that the Lord Jesus Christ is Glorified?
One of the things that has become very clear to me is that I struggle when it comes to understanding the intricacies of the different theological positions surrounding the verses about Christ’s glorification.
Many times I just Google my question and AI generates an answer.
Yes, I understand that it is important not to assume AI answers are truth.
Each AI answer must be carefully read and confirmed by the Word of God.
I want to share the answer that AI generated regarding the glorification of Christ.
“In Christian theology, Jesus being “glorified” refers to His exaltation and reception of divine glory, practically after His death, resurrection and ascension. This glorification is not just a matter of outward splendor but also signifies the culmination of His mission and the manifestation of His divine nature. It encompasses the completion of His atoning work, His victory and His enthronement.” (Note: I capitalized all the personal pronouns.)
I accept this definition based upon what I have read preparing previous posts; reading commentary, Biblical notes, combined with previous personal teaching I have received during my lifetime.
This information was used in preparing two previous posts, ‘Pentecost-50 Days After Passover’, Part 1 and Part 2.
This definition is also supported by what I have understood re-reading Derek Prince.
Theologians are replete with theological meanings for John 20:17.
I would like to point out some things that I consider important.
Quoting John 20:11-18, NKJV, “But Mary, stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
(Note: she is internally devastated; she does not remember what Jesus had told her and the others about being raised from the dead after three days after His crucifixion).
“Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (Same question the angels asked her; but He follows the first question with a second question) “Whom are you seeking?” (He knows the magnitude of her internal remorse.)
John writes, “She supposing Him to be the gardener,…
( How did John know this detail? Obviously, Mary had told John about her encounter in detail at some later time.)
(Mary responded to Him), “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him…(this is the same response she gave to the angels; but she adds), “tell me where You have laid Him and I will take Him away.”
Q: How does Jesus get her full attention? “Jesus said to her, “Mary”.”
Jesus just penetrated her devastated internal world of hurt.
Inwardly, the voice she hears calling her by her name, brings light and hope to her internal darkness and despair.
She turns (to the direction of the voice) and says to Him, “”Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)” ” (insert mine)
Jesus’ response to her implies that she reached out to touch Him, wanting to cling to Him, so as not to let Him go. Her response is a natural response; not an immoral response as some have erroneously implied. (see commentary notes in the Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKV, 20:17-18, page 1573)
I have shared these verses to address Jesus’ response to her at this moment.
John 20:17, NKJV, “Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
Again, like in so many other places, in consideration of the Day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit, another theological crossroad is before us; how many times did Jesus ascend into heaven?
The two prevalent answers are only once; and the other is twice.
We know for sure that He ascended after 40 days from the celebration of Passover. The disciples were instructed to wait in an upper room in Jerusalem to be endued with power. That wait was 10 days. And on the 50th day, the Day of Pentecost, the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit came from heaven to disciples in that upper room.
The question of a second ascension arises from Jesus’ response to Mary, the morning of His resurrection, when He tells her not to cling to Him, “for I have not ascended to My Father…”
One’s personal theology really does dictate how you answer such a question.
And that is ok.
What is important?
The title of this post is, The Lord Jesus Christ GLORIFIED! that asks us to embrace this reality; and to let the Holy Spirit ‘govern’ the Church individually and corporately.
As stated at the beginning of this post, in John 7:37-39, the Apostle John said that the Holy Spirit, “whom those believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
The point is now emphatic that the Lord Jesus Christ is now glorified.
When we put into perspective the events since Jesus’ resurrection and the time that He spent with His disciples that culminate in the resurrected Jesus ascending into heaven; in heaven He is glorified by His Father; He is given a name that is above every name; He is given all authority in heaven and on earth; He has fully completed His mission statement given to Him by His Father; therefore having done all in ‘order’ and in ‘obedience’; the Promise of the Father is poured out upon those (His disciples) assembled an upper room; Peter rises and preaches the crucified Christ, and His exaltation; and immediately upon the completion of Peter’s words, the listeners ask “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”; Peter boldly says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
The foundation of Peter’s words is summarized in this sentence.
Acts 2:36, (Amplified Version) “Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize that beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Anointed)-this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Peter’s words about what God did regarding His Son haven’t changed.
The message today regarding who Christ is, is the same.
“This thing started in Jerusalem, and it comes from heaven!” (Derek Prince, page 290)*
What came from heaven, and began in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost?
The Holy Spirit came to ‘govern’ each believer individually, and the Church corporately.
Derek Prince continues, “So it is with every believer who has received the baptism in the Holy Spirit as the first disciples received it on the day of Pentecost. This experience gives him a new, direct contact in two directions: 1) with the glorified Christ at the Father’s right hand in heaven; 2) with the New Testament church as it came into being in Jerusalem and as it is thereafter pictured in the book of Acts. The baptism in the Holy Spirit gives new meaning, a new reality, a new assurance, both concerning the exaltation of Christ and the life and activity of the New Testament church. Things that before were historical or doctrinal facts accepted by bare faith become, for each Spirit -filled believer, thrilling realities in his own experience. (page 290)*
This has been my personal experience.
The Lord introduced me to the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit.
I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
The year was 1967.
My life was changed; my outlook on Christianity changed; and I began a journey with the Lord that continues to move forward to this day.
Have I done everything in ‘order’ and ‘obediently’? No.
Spiritual growth, maturing as a son of God, is a process.
It is called sanctification.
My, God, is a Father who has faithfully disciplined me conforming me to the image of His Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I am so thankful, that God, the Father; the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son; and the Holy Spirit are totally committed to bring me unto themselves and to live in their relational community as a member of the family of God.
With regards to the Trinity, Derek Prince, writes, “Invariably, throughout the New Testament, we find perfect harmony and cooperation between the three Persons of the triune Godhead. When Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Godhead, came to earth, He came as the personal, authoritative representative of God the Father. He never sought any kind of honor or glory for Himself. His words and His works, His wisdom, His miracles, He invariably ascribed not to Himself but to His Father, dwelling and working in Him. Likewise, when Jesus finished His earthly ministry and returned to the Father in heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit as His personal gift and representative to His church. [This must be understood by the church.] The Holy Spirit, coming as the representative of the second Person, the Son of God, never seeks His own glory. His whole ministry on earth and in the Church is always directed to uplifting, magnifying and glorifying the One He represents–Christ Jesus Himself spoke of this aspect of the Spirit’s ministry. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14-15) (emphasis mine) [insert mine] (page 290-291)*
“Here we see the relationship between the three Persons of the Godhead very clearly unfolded. The Father bestows all His authority, power and glory upon the Son. The Son in turn appoints the Holy Spirit as His representative to reveal and interpret to the Church all that He had received from the Father.” (page 291)*
“The Holy Spirit is just as much a Person as the Father and the Son. Therefore Christ, during the present dispensation, has one, and only one, personal and authoritative representative in the Church and on earth. That representative is none other than the Holy Spirit.” (page 291)* (boldness mine)
I identify the Holy Spirit as the CEO of the Church.
Christ’s Executive Officer or Chief Executive Officer
The Holy Spirit governs the Church as Christ’s C.E.O.
How do we know if the Holy Spirit is governing a body of believers?
What Derek Prince shares next is the spiritual essence of ‘cutting edge’ ministry for the church.
“This revelation of the Holy Spirit’s ministry provides a simple way to test anything that claims to be inspired by the Spirit. Does it glorify Christ? If the answer is not a clear yes, we have every right to question whether we are dealing with a genuine operation or manifestation of the Holy Spirit.” (emphasis mine) (page 291)*
Q: Is the Lord Jesus Christ lifted up, glorified, in the assembly of the saints with whom you worship?
If that is indeed true, then the Spirit of God is ‘governing’ in your midst.
Derek Prince continues, “We find then, a kind of divine jealousy between Christ and the Holy Spirit. On the one hand, the Holy Spirit is jealous of any trend or teaching that detracts from the honor of Christ as head over the church. On the other hand, Christ refuses to lend His authority to any ministry or movement that does not recognize the unique position of the Holy Spirit as His representative within the church.” (page 291)* (boldness mine)
Q: Does the Church, the Body of Christ, recognize this relationship today?
‘It must’ if it is to be an authentic Body of Christ ministering to a lost and dying world.
Q: Does our theological doctrine get in the way of truly entering into the fullness of the meaning of the coming of the Holy Spirit sent on the Day of Pentecost bringing birth to the Church, who is the Body of Christ, with the Lord Jesus Christ as its Head?
Q: Do you personally understand the implications of this relationship in your own life?
“The glory of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit are inseparably linked together.” (Derek Prince, page 291)*
Q: Do you believe that?
Q: Does your life reflect that relationship?
Q: Is the Holy Spirit governing your life?
I personally do not know your relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Nor, do I know the teaching you have received regarding the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
What I do know is my own personal testimony.
My life was adrift as a nominal Christian.
I said to my wife, “if this is all there is to Christianity, I want out. “
The Lord heard my words.
The Lord introduced me to the Holy Spirit.
I was baptized in the Spirit and spoke in tongues.
Tongues is not the only gift of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t allow your doctrinal teachings regarding tongues and the baptism in the Holy Spirit interfere with you pressing into the Lord.
Being baptized in the Holy Spirit did not make me better than any other person, born of the Spirit, who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Being filled with the Spirit enabled me to know experientially, practically, and subjectively, the Father; the Son, Jesus Christ; and taught how to be ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God.
I know that is quite a mouthful; but it is true.
I encourage you to ask Jesus, who is the baptizer “with the Holy Spirit and fire”. (John 3:11b) to baptize you personally with the Holy Spirit.
I turned 82 in August, 2025
The ‘Spirit filled’ part of my life’s journey began in 1967.
Did I understand what that meant, entailed, and encompassed?
Absolutely Not!
I know Jesus is my Savior.
I am still learning who I am ‘in Christ’; but more importantly I am still growing in my understanding of who God, the Father is, and His Son Jesus Christ (John 17:3)
That growth comes from submitting to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to govern my life, according to the Word of God.
My journey continues.
Is it ok for me to say that we are all on our individual Pilgrim Progress? (story by John Bunyan)
There is an Endpoint.
It is my Endpoint, and your Endpoint. (Endpoint-my word and emphasis)
It is Jude 24,25, Amplified Version
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling or falling into sin, and to present you unblemished [blameless and faultless] in the presence of His glory with triumphant joy and unspeakable delight, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Blessings and encouragement be unto you,
a pilgrim progressing in Christ, deo
Living Words of Encouragement 