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Chapter 32—Pentecost
This chapter is based on
Acts 2:1
.
When Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples to the
meaning of the prophecies concerning Himself, He assured them
that all power was given Him in heaven and on earth, and bade
them go preach the gospel to every creature. The disciples, with
a sudden revival of their old hope that Jesus would take His place
upon the throne of David at Jerusalem, inquired, “Wilt Thou at this
time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
Acts 1:6
. The Saviour
threw an uncertainty over their minds in regard to the subject by
replying that it was not for them “to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in His own power.”
Acts 1:7
.
The disciples began to hope that the wonderful descent of the
Holy Ghost would influence the Jewish people to accept Jesus. The
Saviour forbore to further explain, for He knew that when the Holy
Spirit should come upon them in full measure their minds would be
illuminated and they would fully understand the work before them,
and take it up just where He had left it.
The disciples assembled in the upper chamber, uniting in suppli-
cations with the believing women, with Mary the mother of Jesus,
and with His brethren. These brethren, who had been unbelieving,
were now fully established in their faith by the scenes attending the
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crucifixion and by the resurrection and ascension of the Lord. The
number assembled was about one hundred and twenty.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
“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. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like
as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
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