Commission
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union. In His name they were to subdue the strongholds of sin. Faith
in His name was to mark them as Christians.
Giving the disciples further directions, Christ said: “Ye shall re-
ceive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “But tarry ye in the
city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Acts
1:8
;
Luke 24:49
.
In obedience to the word of their Master the disciples assembled in
Jerusalem to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Here they spent
ten days, days of deep heart searching. They put away all differences
and drew close together in Christian fellowship.
At the end of ten days the Lord fulfilled His promise by a wonderful
outpouring of His Spirit. “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 gave them
utterance.” “And the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls.”
Acts 2:2-4, 41
.
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working
with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”
Mark 16:20
.
Notwithstanding the fierce opposition that the disciples met, in a short
time the gospel of the kingdom had been sounded to all the inhabited
parts of the earth.
The commission given to the disciples is given also to us. Today,
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as then, a crucified and risen Saviour is to be uplifted before those who
are without God and without hope in the world. The Lord calls for
pastors, teachers, and evangelists. From door to door His servants are
to proclaim the message of salvation. To every nation, kindred, tongue,
and people the tidings of pardon through Christ are to be carried.
Not with tame, lifeless utterance is the message to be given, but
with clear, decided, stirring utterances. Hundreds are waiting for the
warning to escape for their lives. The world needs to see in Christians
an evidence of the power of Christianity. Not merely in a few places,
but throughout the world, messengers of mercy are needed. From
every country is heard the cry: “Come over, ...and help us.” Rich
and poor, high and low, are calling for light. Men and women are