Pearl
69
heard the gospel, but their minds were darkened by false teaching, and
they did not recognize in the humble
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Teacher of Galilee the Sent of God. But after Christ’s ascension His
enthronement in His mediatorial kingdom was signalized by the out-
pouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was
given. Christ’s witnesses proclaimed the power of the risen Saviour.
The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had
been deceived by the enemies of Christ. They now saw Him exalted
to be “a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and
forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 5:31
. They saw Him encircled with the
glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in His hands to bestow upon
all who would turn from their rebellion. As the apostles set forth the
glory of the Only-Begotten of the Father, three thousand souls were
convicted. They were made to see themselves as they were, sinful and
polluted, and Christ as their friend and Redeemer. Christ was lifted
up, Christ was glorified, through the power of the Holy Spirit resting
upon men. By faith these believers saw Him as the One who had borne
humiliation, suffering, and death that they might not perish but have
everlasting life. The revelation of Christ by the Spirit brought to them
a realizing sense of His power and majesty, and they stretched forth
their hands to Him by faith, saying, “I believe.”
Then the glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the ut-
termost bounds of the inhabited world. The church beheld converts
flocking to her from all directions. Believers were reconverted. Sin-
ners united with Christians in seeking the pearl of great price. The
prophecy was fulfilled, The weak shall be “as David,” and the house
of David “as the angel of the Lord.”
Zechariah 12:8
. Every Christian
saw in his brother the divine similitude of benevolence and love. One
interest prevailed. One object swallowed up all others. All hearts
beat in harmony. The only ambition of the believers was to reveal
the likeness of Christ’s character, and to labor for the enlargement
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of His kingdom. “The multitude of them that believed were of one
heart and of one soul.... With great power gave the apostles witness
of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them
all.”
Acts 4:32, 33
. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.”
Acts 2:47
. The Spirit of Christ animated the whole
congregation; for they had found the pearl of great price.