28
The Acts of the Apostles
Saviour; and as they unfolded to their hearers the plan of salvation,
many were convicted and convinced. The traditions and superstitions
inculcated by the priests were swept away from their minds, and the
teachings of the Saviour were accepted.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
The Jewish leaders had supposed that the work of Christ would
end with His death; but, instead of this, they witnessed the marvelous
scenes of the Day of Pentecost. They heard the disciples, endowed
with a power and energy hitherto unknown, preaching Christ, their
words confirmed by signs and wonders. In Jerusalem, the stronghold
of Judaism, thousands openly declared their faith in Jesus of Nazareth
as the Messiah.
The disciples were astonished and overjoyed at the greatness of
the harvest of souls. They did not regard this wonderful ingathering
as the result of their own efforts; they realized that they were entering
into other men’s labors. Ever since the fall of Adam, Christ had been
[45]
committing to chosen servants the seed of His word, to be sown in
human hearts. During His life on this earth He had sown the seed of
truth and had watered it with His blood. The conversions that took
place on the Day of Pentecost were the result of this sowing, the
harvest of Christ’s work, revealing the power of His teaching.
The arguments of the apostles alone, though clear and convincing,
would not have removed the prejudice that had withstood so much
evidence. But the Holy Spirit sent the arguments home to hearts with
divine power. The words of the apostles were as sharp arrows of
the Almighty, convicting men of their terrible guilt in rejecting and
crucifying the Lord of glory.
Under the training of Christ the disciples had been led to feel
their need of the Spirit. Under the Spirit’s teaching they received the
final qualification, and went forth to their lifework. No longer were
they ignorant and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of
independent units or discordant, conflicting elements. No longer were
their hopes set on worldly greatness. They were of “one accord,” “of
one heart and of one soul.”
Acts 2:46
;
4:32
. Christ filled their thoughts;
the advancement of His kingdom was their aim. In mind and character
they had become like their Master, and men “took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13
.