Pentecost
191
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 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
[273]
and mind, ting 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.
Jesus is as willing to impart courage and grace to his followers
today as he was to the disciples of the early church. None should
rashly invite an opportunity to battle with the principalities and powers
of darkness. When God bids them engage in the conflict it will be
time enough; he will then give the weak and hesitating boldness and
utterance beyond their hope or expectation.
The same scorn and hatred that was manifested against Christ may
be seen now to exist against those whom he has evidently chosen to
be his co-workers. Those whose spirits rise up against the doctrines of
truth make hard work for the servants of Christ. But God will make
their wrath to praise him; they accomplish his purpose by stirring up
minds to investigate the truth. God may allow men to follow their own
wicked inclinations for a time, in opposing him; but when he sees it is
for his glory, and the good of his people, he will arrest the scorners,
expose their presumptive course, and give triumph to his truth.
The arguments of the apostles alone, although clear and convinc-
ing, would not have removed the prejudice of the Jews which had
withstood so much evidence. But the Holy Ghost sent those arguments
home with divine power to their hearts. They were as sharp arrows
of the Almighty, convicting them of their terrible guilt in rejecting
and crucifying the Lord of glory. “Now when they heard this, they
were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
[274]
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto
them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.”