had explained to the disciples stood out before them with the luster of
perfect truth。 The veil that had prevented them from seeing to the end of
that which had been abolished； was now removed； and they comprehended with
perfect clearness the object of Christ's mission and the nature of His
kingdom。 They could speak with power of the Saviour； and as they unfolded to
their hearers the plan of salvation； many were convicted and convinced。 The
traditions and superstitions inculcated by the priests were swept away from
their minds； and the teachings of the Saviour were accepted。
〃Then they that gladly received his word were baptized： and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls。〃
The Jewish leaders had supposed that the work of Christ would end with His
death； but； instead of this； they witnessed the marvelous scenes of the Day
of Pentecost。 They heard the disciples； endowed with a power and energy
hitherto unknown； preaching Christ； their words confirmed by signs and
wonders。 In Jerusalem； the stronghold of Judaism； thousands openly declared
their faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah。
The disciples were astonished and overjoyed at the greatness of the harvest
of souls。 They did not regard this wonderful ingathering as the result of
their own efforts； they realized that they were entering into other men's
labors。
45
Ever since the fall of Adam； Christ had been committing to chosen servants
the seed of His word； to be sown in human hearts。 During His life on this
earth He had sown the seed of truth and had watered it with His blood。 The
conversions that took place on the Day of Pentecost were the result of this
sowing； the harvest of Christ's work； revealing the power of His teaching。
The arguments of the apostles alone； though clear and convincing； would not
have removed the prejudice that had withstood so much evidence。 But the Holy
Spirit sent the arguments home to hearts with divine power。 The words of the
apostles were as sharp arrows of the Almighty； convicting men of their
terrible guilt in rejecting and crucifying the Lord of glory。
Under the training of Christ the disciples had been led to feel their need
of the Spirit。 Under the Spirit's teaching they received the final
qualification； and went forth to their lifework。 No longer were they
ignorant and uncultured。 No longer were they a collection of independent
units or discordant； conflicting elements。 No longer were their hopes set on
worldly greatness。 They were of 〃one accord；〃 〃of one heart and of one
soul。〃 Acts。 2：46； 4：32。 Christ filled their thoughts； the advancement of
His kingdom was their aim。 In mind and character they had become like their
Master； and men 〃took knowledge of them； that they had been with Jesus。〃
Acts 4：13。
Pentecost brought them the heavenly illumination。 The truths they could not
understand while Christ was with them were now unfolded。 With a faith and
assurance that
46
they had never before known； they accepted the teachings of the Sacred Word。
No longer was it a matter of faith with them that Christ was the Son of God。
They knew that； although clothed with humanity； He was indeed the Messiah；
and they told their experience to the world with a confidence which carried
with it the conviction that God was with them。
They could speak the name of Jesus with assurance； for was He not their
Friend and Elder Brother？ Brought into close communion with Christ； they sat
with Him in heavenly places。 With what burning language they clothed their
ideas as they bore witness for Him！ Their hearts were surcharged with a
benevolence so full； so deep； so far…reaching； that it impelled them to go
to the ends of the earth； testifying to the power of Christ。 They were
filled with an intense longing to carry forward the work He had begun。 They
realized the greatness of their debt to heaven and the responsibility of
their work。 Strengthened by the endowment of the Holy Spirit； they went
forth filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross。 The Spirit
animated them and spoke through them。 The peace of Christ shone from their
faces。 They had consecrated their lives to Him for service； and their very
features bore evidence to the surrender they had made。
（47）
Chapter 5
The Gift of the Spirit
When Christ gave His disciples the promise of the Spirit； He was nearing the
close of His earthly ministry。 He was standing in the shadow of the cross；
with a full realization of the load of guilt that was to rest upon Him as
the Sin Bearer。 Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim； He
instructed His disciples regarding a most essential and complete gift which
He was to bestow upon His followersthe gift that would bring within their
reach the boundless resources of His grace。 〃I will pray the Father；〃 He
said； 〃and He shall give you another Comforter； that He may abide with you
forever； even the Spirit of truth； whom the world cannot receive； because it
seeth Him not； neither knoweth Him： but ye know Him； for He dwelleth with
you； and shall be in you。〃 John 14：16； 17。 The Saviour was pointing forward
to the time when the Holy Spirit should come to do a mighty work as His
representative。 The evil that had been accumulating for centuries
48
was to be resisted by the divine power of the Holy Spirit。
What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost？
The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of
the inhabited world。 As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming
grace； hearts yielded to the power of this message。 The church beheld
converts flocking to her from all directions。 Backsliders were reconverted。
Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price。 Some who
had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions。 The
prophecy was fulfilled； 〃He that is feeble。 。 。 shall be as David； and the
house of David 。 。 。 as the angel of the Lord。〃 Zechariah 12：8。 Every
Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence。
One interest prevailed； one subject of emulation swallowed up all others。
The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's
character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom。
〃With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus： and great grace was upon them all。〃 Acts 4：33。 Under their labors
were added to the church chosen men； who； receiving the word of truth；
consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled
their hearts with peace and joy。 They could not be restrained or intimidated
by threatenings。 The Lord spoke through them； and as they went from place to
place； the poor had the gospel preached to them； and miracles of divine
grace were wrought。
49
So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His
Spirit。
The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race。
Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His
followers unto the end。 From the Day of Pentecost to the present time； the
Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord
and to His service。 To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour；
the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor； sanctifier； guide； and witness。 The
more closely believers have walked with God； the more clearly and powerfully
have they testified of their Redeemer's love and of His saving grace。 The
men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial
enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives； have
stood as signs and wonders in the world。 Before angels and men they have
revealed the transforming power of redeeming love。
Those who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high； were not thereby
freed from further temptation and trial。 As they witnessed for truth and
righteousness they were repeatedly assailed by the enemy of all truth； who
sought to rob them of their Christian experience。 They were compelled to
strive with all their God…given powers to reach the measure of the stature
of men and women in Christ Jesus。 Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of
grace； that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection。
Under the Holy Spirit's working even the weakest；
50
by exercising faith in God； learned to improve their entrusted powers and to
become sanctified； refined； and ennobled。 As in humility they submitted to
the molding influence of the Holy Spirit； they received of the fullness of
the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine。
The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ's parting promise to send
the Holy Spirit as His representative。 It is not because of any restriction
on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to
men。 If the fulfillment of the promise is not seen as it might be； it is
because the promise is not appreciated as it should be。 If all were willing；
all would be filled with the Spirit。 Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is
a matter little thought of； there is seen spiritual drought； spiritual
darkness； spiritual declension and death。 Whenever minor matters occupy the
attention； the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity
of the church； and which would bring all other blessings in its train； is
lacking； though offered in infinite plenitude。
Since this is the means by which we are to receive power； why do we not
hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit？ Why do we not talk of it； pray
for it； and preach concerning it？ The Lord is more willing to give the Holy
Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their
children。 For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his
petition to God。 Companies of Christian workers should gather to ask for
special help； for heav