Chapter 210—Pentecostal Power
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33
.
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.... 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....” 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. So mightily can God work when men give themselves
up to the control of His Spirit.
To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit
belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as
He endowed those who on the Day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation.
At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will
take Him at His word....
Zeal for God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty
power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a determination to tell the
story of redeeming love, of Christ and Him crucified? Is not the Spirit of
God to come today, in answer to earnest, persevering prayer, and fill men
with power for service?
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