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Pentecost
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for riches and earthly glory. They would never come to Christ to
receive light. Jesus had foretold a terrible retribution to come upon
that people for their obstinate unbelief, notwithstanding the most
powerful evidences given them that Jesus was the Son of God.
From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure,
simple, and accurate in word and accent, whether they spoke their
native tongue or a foreign language. These humble men, who had
never learned in the school of the prophets, presented truths so
elevated and pure as to astonish those who heard them. They could
not go personally to the uttermost parts of the earth; but there were
men at the feast from every quarter of the world, and the truths
received by them were carried to their various homes and published
among their people, winning souls to Christ.
A Lesson for Our Day
This testimony in regard to the establishment of the Christian
church is given us not only as an important portion of sacred history
but also as a lesson. All who profess the name of Christ should
be waiting, watching, and praying with one heart. All differences
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should be put away, and unity and tender love one for another pervade
the whole. Then our prayers may go up together to our heavenly
Father with strong, earnest faith. Then we may wait with patience
and hope the fulfillment of the promise.
The answer may come with sudden velocity and overpowering
might, or it may be delayed for days and weeks, and our faith receive
a trial. But God knows how and when to answer our prayer. It is
our
part of the work to put ourselves in connection with the divine
channel. God is responsible for
His
part of the work. He is faithful
who hath promised. The great and important matter with us is to
be of one heart and mind, putting aside all envy and malice, and, as
humble supplicants, to watch and wait. Jesus, our Representative
and Head, is ready to do for us what He did for the praying, watching
ones on the day of Pentecost.
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