第9章
Pentecost.
As the disciples returned from Olivet to Jerusalem, the people looked on them, expecting to see on their faces expressions of sorrow, confusion, and defeat; but they saw there gladness and triumph.The disciples did not now mourn over disappointed hopes.They had seen the risen Saviour, and the words of His parting promise echoed constantly in their ears.
In obedience to Christ's command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father--the outpouring of the Spirit.They did not wait in idleness.
The record says that they were "continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." Luke 24:53.They also met together to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an Advocate at the throne of God.In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, "Whatsoever ye shall 36ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."John 16:23, 24.Higher and still higher they extended the hand of faith, with the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34.
As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief.As they called to remembrance the words that Christ had spoken to them before His death they understood more fully their meaning.Truths which had passed from their memory were again brought to their minds, and these they repeated to one another.They reproached themselves for their misapprehension of the Saviour.Like a procession, scene after scene of His wonderful life passed before them.As they meditated upon His pure, holy life they felt that no toil would be too hard, no sacrifice too great, if only they could bear witness in their lives to the loveliness of Christ's character.Oh, if they could but have the past three years to live over, they thought, how differently they would act! If they could only see the Master again, how earnestly they would strive to show Him how deeply they loved Him, and how sincerely they sorrowed for having ever grieved Him by a word or an act of unbelief! But they were comforted by the thought that they were forgiven.
And they determined that, so far as possible, they would atone for their unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world.
The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ.
Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship.They drew nearer and nearer to God, and as they did this they realized what a privilege had been theirs in being permitted to associate so closely with Christ.Sadness filled their hearts as they thought of how many times they had grieved Him by their slowness of comprehension, their failure to understand the lessons that, for their good, He was trying to teach them.
These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching.The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving.They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely.They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls.They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.
During the patriarchal age the influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fullness.Now, in obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their supplications for this gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession.He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people.
"And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."38
The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness that reached every heart.The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church.It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church the riches of the Spirit's grace.And under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven.
Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy were heard.All heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of matchless, incomprehensible love.Lost in wonder, the apostles exclaimed, "Herein is love." They grasped the imparted gift.And what followed? The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief.Thousands were converted in a day.
"It is expedient for you that I go away," Christ had said to His disciples;"for If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if Idepart, I will send Him unto you." "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come." John 16:7, 13.