20:22 What is the significance of what Jesus did here?

There are two schools of thought among Bible commentators concerning what Jesus did here on resurrection day. Some believe that Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to the disciples - infusing them for the first time with the regenerating presence of the Holy Spirit and with new life from the risen Christ. They believe that the words, "receive ye the Holy Ghost", establishes that the Holy Spirit at that moment entered and began to indwell the disciples. Prior to this the disciples were not regenerated in the full new covenant sense. It was not until Jesus breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit that they became a new creation in Christ (CP 2Cor 5:17). This receiving of the Holy Spirit preceded their baptism in the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (CP Ac 2:1-4).

The other school of thought regarding Jn 20:22 is that when Jesus breathed on the disciples and told them to receive the Holy Spirit, it merely symbolized their forthcoming baptism in the Spirit, which they received on the Day of Pentecost. They believe that Jn 14:17 clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit was already abiding with the disciples when Jesus breathed on them in Jn 20:22 (CP Jn 14:15-17). Dwelleth in V17 means to remain, abide, dwell, live.

This teaches that the disciples knew the Holy Spirit experientially, because He was dwelling with them, and soon He would be dwelling in them when they received the Spirit baptism, which is what is taught throughout scripture (CP Ac 8:14-17; Ro 8:9-11, 15; 1Cor 2:12; 3:16; 6:19; 2Cor 5:5; 6:16; Ga 3:2, 13-14; Eph 1:12-13; 2:22; 5:18; 1Th 4:8; 1Jn 3:24; 4:13). Jn 14:17 confirms that the disciples were born of the Spirit, fulfilling the requirements of Jn 3:5 when Jesus breathed on them in Jn 20:22 (CP Jn 3:3-8). But they were not yet baptized in the Spirit.

Believers can choose for themselves which of these teachings to embrace. The important thing to remember is that these scriptures all teach that there are two separate and distinct operations of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. One is for regeneration - becoming a new creation in Christ, which occurs at our new birth, or conversion to Christ, when we are baptized into His body - the church (CP Jn 3:3-5 with 1Cor 12:3, 12-14).

The other is the baptism in the Holy Spirit when believers are empowered for service, with the evidence of speaking in tongues (CP Mt 3:1-3; Mk 1:6-8; 16:17-18; Lu 3:15-16; 24:49; Jn 7:37-39; Ac 1:4-8; 2:1-4). See also comments on Mt 3:11; Mk 16:17-18; Lu 24:49; Jn 3:3, 3:5, 3:8, 7:37-38, 14:12-14; 14:15-7; Ac 1:8, 2:1-4 (A), 2:1-4

(B), 19:11-12; Ro 6:3-5, 8:26-27; 1Cor 12:1-11 (A), 12:1-11 (B), 13:8-12, and author's studies Baptism in the Spirit in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith, and The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Church in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).

John:-