Chapter 185—Pentecost
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.
Acts 2:1, 2
.
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....
Christ’s ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to
receive the promised blessing. For this they were to wait before they entered
upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was
enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was
completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and
Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father
from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication
that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His
promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers, as a token
that He had, as Priest and King, received all authority in heaven and on earth,
and was the Anointed One over His people.
God is willing to give us a similar blessing, when we seek for it as
earnestly. The Lord did not lock the reservoir of heaven after pouring His
Spirit upon the early disciples. We also may receive of the fullness of His
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