Los Angeles, Cal., Nov. 26, 19If. Thankful to God for His mercies, and mindful of your friendship and co-operation in the work the Master has given us to do, I send you this book with the hope that its record of untiring service may give you courage to press on till the conflict is over. n ^ n LIBRARY WflEW AND HERALD ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The Acts of the Apostles In the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ BY ELLEN G. WHITE Author of "Patriarchs and Prophets," "Desire of Ages," "Great Controversy," "Education," "Ministry of Healing," "Christ's Object Lessons," "Steps to Christ," and other Works PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION Mountain View, California CALGARY, Alberta, Canada PORTLAND, Ore. KANSAS CITY, Mo. 4 89 3 LIBRARY REVIEW AND HERAin "They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word" Acts 8:4 Copyright 1911 MRS. E. G. WHITE Entered at Stationers’ Hall All Rights Reserved PREFACE In all the ages of earth’s sad, contradictory ca­ reer, God has had His witnesses. In the physical earth, grass and flower, shrub and tree, valley and plain, hill and mountain, river and lake, sea and land, have borne witness to His knowledge and skill and goodness. The heavens above have borne witness to His power, His wisdom — His Godhead. Flaming orb and glittering star have with tongues of light declared the glory of God, and revealed to men the beauty of His handiwork. For centuries His blessed, living, written Word has told the story of His creative and redeeming love, and earnestly entreated men to come to Him and find righteousness, peace, and rest. Pre-eminently, there stands out through the ages the Faithful and True Witness, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate, the Fulness of Jew and Gentile. Next to the divine Son, and greater even in di­ rect influence, is the manifestation of the life of our Lord in men. God delights to take the imperfect human and make it to “the praise of the glory of vi PREFACE His grace.” This He did in a super-eminent way following the resurrection of our Lord. God’s wit­ ness in apostle and evangelist was the witness of a regenerated, re-created, enlarged manhood. To the fisherman, to the scribe, to the student, to the physi­ cian, to the tent-maker, had been revealed visions of God; and these visions, in the power of Christ, made men who feared God, and did not tremble before the face of man — made men who moulded subsequent ages. To her wonderfully instructive volumes in this series, “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “The Desire of Ages, ’ ’ and ‘ ‘ The Great Controversy, ’ ’ the author lias added “The Acts of the Apostles,” a record of God’s witnesses subsequent to the life of our Lord. By this Spirit-aided book a flood of light is thrown upon the apostolic church and its momentous mean­ ing to us of this time. The church militant demands the church triumphant. Through all her warfare, her trials, her defeats, she has seen the vision of victory. Above all the discordant noises of earth, she has heard the ringing, cheering voice of her Captain. He who suffered for her children is choosing them to reign with Him. He who came in humiliation to die, the Suffering One, is coming again in glory, the Regnant One forever. The publishers are pleased to be privileged to give to the waiting, longing souls, to the earnest, working souls, and to the great public who long for the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, this helpful book, this story of God’s witnesses. The Publishers. CONTENTS I God’s Purpose for His Church - - 9 II The Training of the Twelve - - 17 III The Great Commission - - -2 5 IV Pentecost . . . . 35 V The Gift of the Spirit - - - 47 VI At the Temple Gate . . . 57 VII A Warning Against Hypocrisy - - 70 VIII Before the Sanhedrim . . . 77 IX The Seven Deacons - - - 87 X The First Christian Martyr - - 97 XI The Gospel in Samaria - - - 103 XII From Persecutor to Disciple - - 112 XIII Days of Preparation - - - 123 XIV A Seeker for Truth - - - 131 XV Delivered from Prison - - - 143 XVI The Gospel Message in Antioch - 155 XVII Heralds of the Gospel - - - 166 XVIII Preaching Among the Heathen - 177 XIX Jew and Gentile . . . . 188 XX Exalting the Cross - - - 201 XXI In the Regions Beyond - - - 211 XXII Thessalonica - 221 XXIII Berea and Athens - 231 XXIV Corinth - 243 XXV The Thessalonian Letters - - 255 vii CONTENTS XXVI XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX XXXI XXXII XXXIII XXXIV XXXV XXXVI XXXVII XXXVIII XXXIX XL XLI XLII XLIII XLIV XLV XLVI XLVII XL VIII XLIX L LI LII LIII LIV LV LVI LVII LVIII viii Apollos at Corinth Ephesus . . . . Days of Toil' and Trial A Message of Warning and Entreaty Called to Reach a Higher Standard - The Message Heeded A Liberal Church Laboring under Difficulties A Consecrated Ministry Salvation to the Jews Apostasy in Galatia Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem Paul a Prisoner The Trial at Caesarea Paul Appeals to Caesar ‘‘Almost Thou Persuadest Me” - The Voyage and Shipwreck In Rome . . . . Caesar’s Household Written from Rome At Liberty - - - - The Final Arrest - Paul Before Nero Paul’s Last Letter Condemned to Die A Faithful Under-Shepherd Steadfast unto the End John the Beloved - - A Faithful Witness Transformed by Grace Patmos - - - - - - The Revelation The Church Triumphant Scripture Index General Index - - - 269 281 291 298 309 323 335 346 359 372 383 389 399 419 428 433 439 447 461 469 485 489 492 498 509 514 529 539 546 557 568 578 593 605 609 CHAPTER I God’s Purpose for His Church The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His ful­ ness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to “the principalities and pow­ ers in heavenly places, ’ ’1 the final and full display of the love of God. Many and wonderful are the promises recorded in the Scriptures regarding the church. “Mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.”2 “I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of 'Eph. 3:10. 3 Isa. 56:7. (9) blessing.” “And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are My people, saith the Lord God. And ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God. ’ ’3 “Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are My witnesses.” “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gen­ tiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the pris­ oners from the.prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.”4 “In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the pris­ oners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall 3Eze. 34:26, 29-31. 4 Isa. 43:10-12; 42:6,7. 10 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HIS CHURCH 11 lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them. And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted. . . . “Sing, 0 heavens; and be joyful, 0 earth; and break forth into singing, 0 mountains: for the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me.”5 The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of -His only begotten Son. From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. These senti­ nels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others took up the work. God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven. • He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people, j Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared B Isa. 49: 8-16. 12 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken, but has traced in prophetic declarations what would occur, and that which His Spirit inspired the prophets to foretell has been brought about. All His purposes will be fulfilled. His law is linked with His throne, and no power of evil can destroy it. Truth is inspired and guarded by God; and it will triumph over all opposition. During ages of spiritual darkness, the church of God has been as a city set on a hill. From age to age, through successive generations, the pure doc­ trines of heaven have been unfolding within its bor­ ders. Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard. It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts. “Whereunto,” asked Christ, “shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it I ’ ’6 He could not employ the kingdoms of the world as a similitude. In society He found nothing with which to compare it. Earthly king­ doms rule by the ascendency of physical power; but from Christ’s kingdom -every carnal weapon, every instrument of coercion, is banished. This kingdom is to uplift and ennoble humanity. God’s church is the court of holy life, filled with varied gifts, and endowed with the Holy Spirit, The members are to find their happiness in the happiness of those whom they help and bless. 6 Mark 4: 30. Wonderful is the work which the Lord designs to accomplish through His church, that His name may be glorified. A picture of this work is given in Ezekiel’s vision of the river of healing: “These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every­ thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: . . . and by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanc­ tuary : and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”1 From the beginning God has wrought through His people to bring blessing to the world. To the ancient Egyptian nation God made Joseph a foun­ tain of life. Through the integrity of Joseph the life of that whole people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all the wise men of Babylon. And these deliverances are as object- lessons; they illustrate the spiritual blessings of­ fered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph and Daniel worshiped. Every one in whose heart Christ abides, every one who will show forth His love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As he receives from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life. T Eze. 47:8-12. GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HIS CHURCH 13 14 God chose Israel to reveal His character to men. He desired them to be as wells of salvation in the world. To them were committed the oracles of heaven, the revelation of God’s will. In the early days of Israel, the nations of the world, through corrupt practices, had lost the knowledge of God. They had once known Him; but because “they glori­ fied Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, . . . their fool­ ish heart was darkened.”8 Yet in His mercy God did not blot them out of existence. He purposed to give them an opportunity of again becoming acquainted with Him through His chosen people. Through the teachings of the sacrificial service, Christ was to be uplifted before all nations, and all who would look to Him should live. Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy. The whole sys­ tem of types and symbols was a compacted prophecy of the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up the promises of redemption. But the people of Israel lost sight of their high privileges as God’s representatives. They forgot God, and failed to fulfil their holy mission. The blessings they received brought no blessing to the world. All their advantages they appropriated for their own glorification. They shut themselves away from the world in order to escape temptation. The restrictions that God had placed upon their asso­ ciation with idolaters as a means of preventing them from conforming to the practices of the heathen, they used to build up a wall of separation between themselves and all other nations. They robbed God TEE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8 Rom. 1: 21. GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HIS CHURCH 15 of the service He required of them, and they robbed their fellow-men of religious guidance and a holy example. Priests and rulers became fixed in a rut of cere­ monialism. They were satisfied with a legal religion, and it was impossible for them to give to others the living truths of heaven. They thought their own righteousness all-sufficient, and did not desire that a new element should be brought into their religion. The good will of God to men they did not accept as something apart from themselves, but connected it with their own merit because of their good works. The faith that works by love and purifies the soul could find no place for union with the religion of the Pharisees, made up of ceremonies and the injunc­ tions of men. Of Israel God declared: “I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me!”9 “Israel is an empty vine, he bringetli forth fruit unto himself.”10 “And now, 0 inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt Me and My vineyard. .What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it! wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes! “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: and I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also 9Jer. 2:21. 10HosealO:l. 2 — Acts 16 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His pleasant plant: and He looked for judgment, but behold oppres­ sion; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”11 “The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. ’ ’12 The Jewish- leaders thought themselves too wise to need instruction, too righteous to need salvation, too highly honored to need the honor that comes from Christ. The Saviour turned from them to en­ trust to others the privileges they had abused and the work they had slighted. God’s glory must be revealed, His word - established. Christ’s kingdom must be set up in the world. The salvation of God must be made known in the cities of the wilderness; and the disciples were called to do the work that the Jewish leaders had failed to do. 11 Isa. 5: 3-7. 12 Eze. 34: 4. CHAPTER II The Training of the Twelve Foe the carrying on of His work, Christ did not choose the learning or eloquence of the Jewish Sanhedrim or the power of Home. Passing by the self-righteous Jewish teachers, the Master-worker chose humble, unlearned men to proclaim the truths that were to move the world. These men He pur­ posed to train and educate as the leaders of His church. They in turn were to educate others, and send them out with the gospel message. That they might have success in their work, they were to be given the power of the Holy Spirit. Not by human might or human wisdom was the gospel to be pro­ claimed, but by the power ’of God. For three years and a half the disciples were under the instruction of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. By personal contact and association, Christ trained them for His service. Day by day they walked and talked with Him, hear­ ing His words of cheer to the weary and heavy laden, and seeing the manifestation of His power in (17) 18 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES behalf of the sick and the afflicted. Sometimes He taught them, sitting among them on the mountain­ side; sometimes beside the sea or walking by the way, He revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Wherever hearts were open to receive the di­ vine message, He unfolded the truths of the way of salvation. He did not command the disciples to do this or that, but said, “Follow Me.” On His jour­ neys through country and cities, He took them with Him, that they might see how He taught the people. They traveled with Him from place to place. They shared His frugal fare, and like Him were sometimes hungry and often weary. On the crowded streets, by the lake-side, in the lonely desert, they were with Him. They saw Him in every phase of life. It was at the ordination of the twelve that the first step was taken in the organization of the church that after Christ’s departure was to carry on His work on the earth.' Of this ordination the record says, “He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him. And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach. ’ ’1 Look upon the touching scene. Behold the Majesty of heaven surrounded by the twelve whom He has chosen. He is about to set them apart for their work. By these feeble agencies, through His word and Spirit, He designs to place salvation within the reach of all. With gladness and rejoicing, God and the angels beheld this scene. The Father knew that from these men the light of heaven would shine forth; that the 1 Mark 3:13,14. words spoken by them as they witnessed for His Son, would echo from generation to generation till the close of time. The disciples were to go forth as Christ’s wit­ nesses, to declare to the world what they had seen and heard of Him. Their office was the most im­ portant to which human beings had ever been called, second only to that of Christ Himself. They were to be workers together with God for the saving of men. As in the Old Testament the twelve patriarchs stood as representatives of Israel, so the twelve apostles stand as representatives of the gospel church. During His earthly ministry Christ began to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to all mankind. Though He was a Jew, He mingled freely with the Samaritans, setting at naught the Pharisaic, customs of the Jews with regard to this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate at their tables, and taught in their streets. The Saviour longed to unfold to His disciples the truth regarding the breaking down of the ‘ ‘ middle wall of partition” between Israel and the other na­ tions,— the truth that “the Gentiles should be fellow- heirs” with the Jews, and “partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”2 This truth was revealed in part at the time when He rewarded the faith of the centurion at Capernaum, and also when He preached the gospel to the inhabitants of Sychar. Still more plainly was it revealed on the occasion of His visit to Phoenicia, when He healed the daugh­ ter of the Canaanite woman. These experiences helped the disciples to understand that among those 3Eph. 2:14; 3:6. THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE 19 20 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES whom many regarded as unworthy of salvation, there were souls hungering for the light of truth. Thus Christ sought to teach the disciples the truth that in God’s kingdom there are no territorial lines, no caste, no aristocracy; that they must go to all nations, bearing to them the message of a Saviour’s love. But not until later did they realize in all its fulness that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us.”3 In these first disciples was presented marked di­ versity. They were to be the world’s teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character. In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these men, differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ’s object to secure. To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself. The burden of His labor for them is ex­ pressed in His prayer to His Father, “That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us:” “that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”4 His constant prayer for them was that they might be sanctified through the truth; and He prayed with assurance, knowing that an Almighty decree had been given before the world was made. He knew 3 Acts 17:26, 27. 4 John 17:21,23. THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE 21 that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached to all nations for a witness; He knew that truth armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would con­ quer in the battle with evil, and that the blood-stained banner would one day wave triumphantly over His followers. As Christ’s earthly ministry drew to a close, and He realized that He must soon leave His disciples to carry on the work without His personal supervision, He sought to encourage them, and to prepare them for the future. He did not deceive them with false h'opes. As an open book He read what was to be. He knew He was about to be separated from .them, to leave them as sheep among wolves. He knew that they would suffer persecution, that they would be cast out of the synagogues, and would be thrown into prison. He knew that for witnessing to Him as the Messiah, some of them would suffer death. And something of this He told them. In speaking of their future, He was plain and definite, that in their com­ ing trial they might remember His words, and be strengthened to believe in Him as the Redeemer. He spoke to them also words of hope and courage. “Let not your heart be troubled,” He said ; “ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”5 For your sake I came into the world; for you I have been working. s John 14:1-4. 22 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES When I go away, I shall still work earnestly for yon. I came to the world to reveal Myself to yon, that you might believe. I go to My Father and yours to co-operate with Him in your behalf. “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. ’ ’6 By this Christ did not mean that the disciples would make more exalted exer­ tions than He had made, but that their work would have greater magnitude. He did not refer merely to miracle working, but to all that would take place under the agency of the Holy Spirit. “When the Comforter is come,” He said, “whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedetli from the Father, He shall testify of Me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning. ’ ’7 Wonderfully were these words fulfilled. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so filled with love for Him and for those for whom He died, that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the prayers they offered. They spoke in the power of the Spirit; and under the influence of that power, thousands were converted. As Christ’s representatives, the apostles were to make a decided impression on the world. The fact that they were humble men would not dimin­ ish their influence, but increase it; for the minds of their hearers would be carried from them to the Saviour, who, though unseen, was still working with them. The wonderful teaching of the apostles, their 7 John 15: 26, 27. John 14:12. THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE 23 words of courage and trust, would assure all that it was not in their own power that they worked, but in the power of Christ. Humbling themselves, they would declare that He whom the Jews had crucified was the Prince of life, the Son of the living God, and that in His name they did the works that He had done. In His parting conversation with His disciples on the night before the crucifixion, the Saviour made no reference to the suffering that He had endured and must yet endure. He did not speak of the hu­ miliation that was before Him, but sought to bring to their minds that which would strengthen their faith, leading them to look forward to the joys that await the overcomer. He rejoiced in the conscious­ ness that He could and would do more for His fol­ lowers than He had promised; that from Him would flow forth love and compassion, cleansing the soul- temple, and making men like Him in character; that His truth, armed with the power of the Spirit, would go forth conquering and to conquer. “These things I have spoken unto you,” He said, “that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”8 Christ did not fail, neither was He discouraged; and the disciples were to show a faith of the same enduring nature. They were to work as lie had worked, depending on Him for strength. Though their way would be obstructed by apparent impossibilities, yet by His grace they were to go forward, despairing of nothing, and hoping for everything. John 16: 33. 24 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Christ had finished the work that was given Him to do. He had gathered out those who were to con­ tinue His work among men. And He said: “I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as we are.” “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; ... I in them and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”9 9 John 17:10, 11,20-23. CHAPTER III The Great Commission Afteb the death of Christ, the disciples were well- nigh overcome by discouragement. Their Master had been rejected, condemned, and crucified. The priests and rulers had declared scornfully, ‘ ‘ He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Is­ rael, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.”1 The sun of the disciples’ hope had set, and night settled down upon their hearts. Often they repeated the words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel. ’ ’2 Lonely and sick at heart, they remembered His words, “If they -do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry! ”3 Jesus had several times attempted to open the future to His disciples, but they had not cared to think about what He said. Because of this, His death had come to them as a surprise; and after­ ward, as they reviewed the past and saw the result of their unbelief, they were filled with sorrow. When 1 Matt. 27:42. 2 Luke 24:21. Luke 23: 31. 26 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Christ was crucified, they did not believe that He would rise. He had stated plainly that He was to rise on the third day, but they were perplexed to know what He meant. This lack of comprehension left them at the time of His death in utter hopeless­ ness. They were bitterly disappointed. Their faith did not penetrate beyond the shadow that Satan had cast athwart their horizon. All seemed vague and mysterious to them. If they had believed the Sav­ iour’s words, how much sorrow they might have been spared! Crushed by despondency, grief, and despair, the disciples met together in the upper chamber, and closed and fastened the doors, fearing that the fate of their beloved Teacher might be theirs. It was here that the Saviour, after His resurrection, ap­ peared to them. For forty days Christ remained on the earth, pre­ paring the disciples for the work before them, and explaining that which heretofore they had been un­ able to comprehend. He spoke of the prophecies concerning His advent, His rejection by the Jews, and His death, showing that every specification of these prophecies had been fulfilled. He told them that they were to regard this, fulfilment of prophecy as an assurance of the power that would attend them in their future labors. ‘‘Then opened He their understanding,” we read, “that they might under­ stand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to sutler, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusa­ THE GREAT COMMISSION 27 lem.” And He added, “Ye are witnesses of these things. ’ ’4 • During these days that Christ spent with His disciples, they gained a new experience. As they heard their beloved Master explaining the Scrip­ tures in the light of all that had happened, their faith in Him was fully established. They reached the place where they could say, “I know whom I have believed. ’ ’5 They began to realize the nature and extent of their work, to see that they were to proclaim to the world the truths entrusted to them. The events of Christ’s life, His death and resurrec­ tion, the prophecies pointing to these events, the mysteries of the plan of salvation, the power of Jesus for the remission of sins,—Jo all these things they had been witnesses, and they were to make them known to the world. They.were to proclaim the gospel of peace and salvation through repent­ ance and the power of the Saviour. Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave His dis­ ciples their commission. He told them that they were to be the executors of the will in which He be­ queathed to the world the treasures of eternal life. You have been witnesses of My life of sacrifice in behalf of the world, He said to them. You have seen My labors for Israel. And although My people would not come to Me that they might have life, although priests and rulers have done unto Me as they listed, although they have rejected Me, they shall have still another opportunity of accepting the Son of God. You have seen that all who come to Me confessing their sins, I freely receive. Him 4 Luke 24:45-48. '2 Tim. 1:12. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. To you, My disciples, I commit this message of mercy. It is to be given to both Jews and Gentiles,— to Israel first, and then to all nations, tongues, and peoples. All who believe are to be gathered into one church. The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom. The disciples were to work earnestly for souls, giving to all the invitation of mercy. They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to go to the people with their message. The disciples were to carry their work forward in Christ’s name. Their every word and act was to fasten attention on His name, as possessing that vital power by which sinners may be saved. Their faith was to cen-ter in Him who is the source of mercy and power. In His name they were to pre­ sent their petitions to the Father, and they would receive answer. They were to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christ’s name was to be their watchword, their badge of dis­ tinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing was to be recognized in His kingdom that did not bear His name and superscription. When Christ said to the disciples, Go forth in My name to gather into the church all who believe, He plainly set before them the necessity of main­ taining simplicity. The less ostentation and show, the greater would be their influence for good. The disciples were to speak with the same simplicity with which Christ had spoken. They were to im­ THE GREAT COMMISSION 29 press upon their hearers the lessons He had taught them. Christ did not tell His disciples that their work would be easy. He showed them the vast confed­ eracy of evil arrayed against them. They would have to fight “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”0 But they would not be left to fight alone. He assured them that He would be with them; and that if they would go forth in faith, they should move under the shield of Omnipotence. He bade them be brave and strong; for One mightier than angels would be in their ranks,— the General of the armies of heaven. He made full provision for the prosecution of their work, and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. Go to all nations, He bade them. Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe, and be assured that My presence will be with you even there. Labor in. faith and confidence; for the time will never come when I will forsake you. I will be with you always, helping you to perform your duty, guiding, comfort­ ing, sanctifying, sustaining you, giving you spccess in speaking words that shall draw the attention of others to heaven. Christ’s sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled. The work for which He had come to this world had been accomplished. He had won the kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan, and had become heir of all things. He was on His way to 6 Eph. 6:12. 28 30 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES the throne of God, to be honored by the heavenly host. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His disciples their commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end. ’ ’7 Just before leaving His disciples, Christ once more plainly stated the nature of His kingdom. He recalled to their remembrance things He had pre­ viously told them regarding it. He declared that it was not His purpose to establish in this world a temporal kingdom. He was not appointed to reign as an earthly monarch on David’s throne. When the disciples asked Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel!” He an­ swered, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.”8 It was not necessary for them to see farther into the future than the revelations He had made enabled them to see. Their work was to proclaim the gospel message. Christ’s visible presence was about to be with­ drawn from the disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be theirs. The Holy Spirit was to be given them in its fulness, sealing them for their work. “Behold,” the Saviour said, “I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”9 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many 7 Matt. 28:19, 20. 8 Acts 1: 6, 7. 9 Luke 24:49. THE GREAT COMMISSION 31 days hence.” “Ye shall receive 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. ” 10 * The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts, or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endow­ ment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the disciples would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give tliem. Christ told His disciples that they were to begin their work at Jerusalem. That city had been the scene of His amazing sacrifice for the human race. There, clad in the garb of humanity, He had walked and talked with men, and few had discerned how near heaven came to earth. There He had been condemned and crucified. In Jerusalem were many who secretly believed Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah, and many who had been deceived by priests and rulers. To these the gospel must be pro­ claimed. They were to be called to repentance. The wonderful truth that through Christ alone 10 Acts 1: 5, 8. 3 — Acts 32 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES could remission of sins be obtained, was to be made plain. And it was while all Jerusalem was stirred by the thrilling events of the past few weeks, that the preaching of the disciples would make the deep­ est impression. • During His ministry, Jesus had kept constantly before the disciples the fact that they were to be one with Him in His work for the recovery of the world from the slavery of sin. When He sent forth the twelve and afterward the seventy, to proclaim the kingdom of God, He was teaching them their duty to impart to others what He had made known to them. In all His work, He was training them for individual labor, to be extended as their numbers increased, and eventually to reach to the uttermost parts of the earth. The last lesson He gave His followers was that they held in trust for the world the glad tidings of salvation. When the time came for Christ to ascend to His Father, He led the disciples out as far as Bethany. Here He paused, and they gathered about Him. With hands outstretched in blessing, as if in assurance of His protecting care, He slowly ascended from among them. “It came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. ’ ’11 While the disciples were gazing upward to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, He was received into the rejoicing ranks of heavenly angels. As these angels escorted Him to the courts above, they sang in triumph, “Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; 0 sing praises unto the Lord, to Him 11 Luke 24:51. that rideth upon the heavens of heavens. . . . As­ cribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is in the heavens.”1' The disciples were still looking earnestly toward heaven when, “behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven! this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. ’ ’13 The promise of Christ’s second coming was ever to be kept fresh in the minds of His disciples. The same Jesus whom they had seen ascending into heaven, would come again, to take to Himself those who here below give themselves to His service. The same voice that had said to them, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end,” would bid them welcome to His presence in the heavenly kingdom. As in the typical service the high priest laid aside his pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of an ordinary priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes, and garbed Himself with humanity, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. As the high priest, after per­ forming his service in the holy of holies, came forth to the waiting congregation in his pontifical robes; so Christ will come the second time, clothed in garments of whitest white, “so as no fuller on earth can white them. ’ ’14 He will come in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, and all the angelic host will escort Him on His way. 12Ps. 68: 32-34, margin. “ Acts 1:10,11. “Mark 9:3. THE GREAT COMMISSION 33 34 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Thus will he fulfilled Christ’s promise to His disciples, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.”15 Those who have loved Him and waited for Him, He will crown with glory and honor and immortality. The righteous dead will come forth from their graves, and those who are alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air. They will hear the voice of Jesus, sweeter than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying to them, Your warfare is accomplished. “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ”10 Well might the disciples rejoice in the hope of their Lord’s return. 15 John 14:3. 10 Matt. 25: 34. CHAPTER IV Pentecost As the disciples returned from Olivet to Jeru­ salem, the people looked on them, expecting to see on their faces expressions of sorrow, confusion, and defeat; but they saw there gladness and triumph. The disciples did not now mourn over disappointed hopes. They had seen the risen Saviour, and the words of His parting promise echoed constantly in their ears. In obedience to Christ’s command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father,— the outpouring of the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were “con­ tinually in the temple, praising and blessing God.”1 They also met together to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an Ad­ vocate at the throne of God. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, “What- 1 Luke 24:53. This chapter is based on Acts 2:1-39. (35) 36 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES soever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it yen. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. ’ ’2 Higher and still higher they ex­ tended the hand of faith, with the mighty argument, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. ”J As the disciples waited for the fulfilment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repent­ ance, and confessed their unbelief. As they called to remembrance the words that Christ had spoken to them before His death, they understood more fully their meaning. Truths which had passed from their memory were again brought to their minds, and these they repeated to one another. They re­ proached themselves for their misapprehension of the Saviour. Like a procession, scene after scene of His wonderful life passed before them. As they meditated upon His pure, holy life, they felt that no toil would be too hard, no sacrifice too great, if only they could bear witness in their lives to the loveliness of Christ’s character. O, if they could but have the past three years to live over, they thought, how differently they would act! If they could only see the Master again, how earnestly they would strive to show Him how deeply they loved Him, and how sincerely they sorrowed for having ever grieved Him by a word or an act of unbelief! But they were comforted by the thought that they were forgiven. And they determined that, so far as possible, they would atone for their unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world. 3 John 16: 23, 24. 8 Rom. 8: 34. PENTECOST 37 The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men, and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. They drew nearer and nearer to God, and as they did this, they realized what a privilege had been theirs in being permitted to associate so closely with Christ. Sadness filled their hearts as they thought of how many times they had grieved Him by their slowness of comprehension, their fail­ ure to understand the lessons that, for their good, He was trying to teach them. These days of preparation were days of deep heart-searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need, and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul-saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gos­ pel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised. During the patriarchal age, the influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fulness. Now, in obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their supplications for this -gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And sud­ denly there came a sound from heaven as of a rush­ ing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” 38 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying dis­ ciples with a fulness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church the riches of the Spirit’s grace. And under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven. Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy were heard. All Heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of matchless, in­ comprehensible love. Lost in wonder, the apostles exclaimed, ‘‘Herein is love.” They grasped the - imparted gift. And what followed? The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through un­ belief. Thousands were converted in a day. “It is expedient for you that I go away,” Christ had said to His disciples; “for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. ”4 Christ’s ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised bless­ ing. For this they were to wait before they en­ tered upon their work. When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed 4 John 16: 7,13. PENTECOST 39 glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpour­ ing was Heaven’s communication that the Redeem­ er’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers, as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people. “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.” The Holy Spirit, assuming the form of tongues of fire, rested upon those assembled. This was an emblem of the gift then bestowed on the disciples, which enabled them to speak with fluency languages with which they had heretofore been un­ acquainted. The appearance of fire signified the fervent zeal with which the apostles would labor, and the power that would attend their work. • “There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” During the dispersion, the Jews had been scattered to al­ most every part of the inhabited world, and in their exile they had learned to speak various languages. Many of these Jews were on this occasion in Jeru­ salem, attending the religious festivals then in prog­ ress. Every known tongue was represented by those assembled. This diversity of languages would have been a great hindrance to the proclamation of the gospel; God therefore in a miraculous manner sup­ plied the deficiency of the apostles. The Holy Spirit 40 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES did for them that which they could not have accom­ plished for themselves in a lifetime. They could now proclaim the truths of the gospel abroad, speak­ ing with accuracy the languages of those for whom they were laboring. This miraculous gift was a strong evidence to the world that their commission bore the signet of Heaven. From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate, whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign language. “Now when this was noised abroad, the multi­ tude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own lan­ guage. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? and how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” ■/ The priests and rulers were greatly enraged at this wonderful manifestation, but they dared not give way to their malice, for fear of exposing themselves to the violence of the people. They had put the Nazarene to death; hut here were His servants, un­ lettered men of Galilee, telling in all the languages then spoken, the story of His life and ministry. The priests, determined to account for the miraculous power of the disciples in some natural way, declared that they were drunken from partaking largely of the new wine prepared for the feast. Some of the most ignorant of the people present seized upon this suggestion as the truth, but the more intelligent knew it to be false; and those who understood the dif­ ferent languages testified to the accuracy with which these languages were used by the disciples. PENTECOST 41 In answer to the accusation of the priests, Peter showed that this demonstration was in direct ful­ filment of the prophecy of Joel, wherein he foretold that such power would come upon men, to fit them for a special work. “Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,” he said, “be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy. ’ ’ With clearness and power Peter bore witness of the death and resurrection of Christ: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and won­ ders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him ... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God. hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be liolden of it.” "Peter did not refer to the teachings of Christ to prove his position, because he knew that the preju­ dice of his hearers was so great that his words on this subject would be of no effect. Instead, he spoke to them of David, who was regarded by the Jews as one of the patriarchs of their nation. “Da­ vid speaketh concerning Him,’’ he declared: “I foresaw tlie Lord always before My face, for He is on My right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did My heart rejoice, and My tongue was glad; moreover also My flesh shall rest in hope: be­ cause Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” “He . . . spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” The scene is one full of interest. Behold the people coming from all directions to hear the dis­ ciples witness to the truth as it is in J.esus. They press in, crowding the temple. Priests and rulers are there, the dark scowl of malignity still on their faces, their hearts still filled with abiding hatred against Christ, their hands uncleansed from the blood shed when they crucified the world’s Re­ deemer. They had thought to find the apostles cowed with fear under the strong hand of oppres­ sion and murder, but they find them lifted above all fear, and filled with the Spirit, proclaiming with power the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. They hear them declaring with boldness that the One so re­ cently humiliated, derided, smitten by cruel hands, and crucified, is the Prince of life, now exalted to the right hand of God. Some of those who listened to the apostles had taken an active part in the condemnation and death of Christ. Their voices had mingled with the rabble 42 TEE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES PENTECOST 43 in calling for His crucifixion. When Jesus and Barabbas stood before them in the judgment-liall, and Pilate asked, “Whom will ye that I release unto you?” they had shouted, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”6 When Pilate delivered Christ to them, saying, “Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him;” “I am innocent of the blood of this just person,” they had cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children. ’ ’0 Now they heard the disciples declaring that it was the Son of God who had been crucified. Priests and rulers trembled. Conviction and anguish seized the people. “They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Among those who listened to the disciples were devout Jews, who were sincere in their belief. The power that accompanied the words of the speaker convinced them that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be bap­ tized 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afai off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Peter urged home upon the convicted people the fact that they had rejected Christ because they had been deceived by priests and rulers; and that if they continued to look to these men for counsel, and waited for them to acknowledge Christ before they dared to do so, they would never accept Him. These powerful men, though making a profession of god- 6Matt. 27:17; Jolm 18:40. 'John 19:6; Matt. 27:24,25. 44 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES liness, were ambitions for earthly riches and glory. They were not willing to come to Qhrist to receive light. Under the influence of this heavenly illumina­ tion, the scriptures that Christ had explained to the disciples stood out before them with the luster of perfect truth. The veil that had prevented them from seeing to the end of that which had been abol­ ished, was now removed, and they comprehended with perfect clearness the object of Christ’s mission and the nature of His kingdom. They could speak with power of the Saviour; and as they unfolded to their hearers the plan of salvation, many were convicted and convinced. The traditions and super­ stitions 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, en­ dowed with a power and energy hitherto unknown, preaching Christ, their words confirmed by signs and wonders. In Jerusalem, the stronghold of Ju­ daism, 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 PENTECOST 45 entering into other men’s labors. Ever since the fall of Adam, Christ had been 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 Pente­ cost 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 preju­ dice 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 qualifica­ tion, and went forth to their life-work. 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. ’ ’7 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.”8 Pentecost brought them the heavenly illumination. The truths they could not understand while Christ was with them were now unfolded. With a faith, and ’ Acts 2:46; 4:32. Acts 4:13. 46 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES assurance that they had never before known, they accepted the teachings of the Sacred Word. No longer was it a matter of faith with them that Christ was the Son of God. * They knew that although clothed with humanity, He was indeed the Messiah, and they told their experience to the world with a confidence which carried with it the conviction that God was with them. They could speak the name of Jesus with as­ surance ; for was He not their Friend and Elder Brother? Brought into close communion with Christ, they sat with Him in heavenly places. With what burning language they clothed tlieir ideas as they bore witness for Him! Their hearts were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth, testifying to the power of Christ. They were filled with an intense longing to carry forward the work He had begun. They realized the greatness of their debt to heaven, and the responsibility of their work. Strengthened by the endowment of the Holy Spirit, they went forth filled with zeal to extend the tri­ umphs of the cross. The Spirit animated them and spoke through them. The peace of Christ shone from their faces. They had consecrated their lives to Him for service, and their very features bore evidence to the surrender they had made. CHAPTER V The Gift of the Spirit W hen Christ gave His disciples the promise of the Spirit, He was nearing the close of His earthly ministry. He was standing in the shadow of the cross, with a full realization of the load of guilt that was to rest upon Him as the sin-bearer. Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim, He in­ structed His disciples regarding a most essential and complete gift which He was to bestow upon His followers,— the gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of His grace. “I will pray the Father,” He said, “and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for­ ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world can­ not receive, because it seetli Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”1 The Saviour was pointing forward to the time when the Holy Spirit should come to do a mighty work as His representative. The evil that had been accumulating for centuries 1 John 14:16,17. 4— Acts (47) was to be resisted by the divine power of the Holy Spirit. What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. As the disciples proclaimed the message of redeeming grace, hearts yielded to the power of this message. The church beheld con­ verts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. Sinners united with believers in seeking the pearl of great price. Some who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, “He that is feeble . . . shall be as David; and the house of David ... as the angel of the Lord.”2 Every Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed; one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character, and to labor for the enlarge­ ment of His kingdom, v “With great power gave the apostles wutness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ’ ’3 Under their labors were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of truth, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that filled their hearts with peace and joy. They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them, and as they went from place to place, the poor had the gospel preached to them, and mir­ acles of divine grace were wrought. 48 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 3 Zech. 12:8. 3 Acts 4: 33. THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT 49 So mightily can God work when men give them­ selves up to the control of His Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the day of Pente­ cost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness. The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer’s love and of His saving grace. The men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the world. Before angels and men they have revealed the transforming power of redeeming love. Those who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high, were not thereby freed from further temptation and trial. As they witnessed for truth and righteousness, they were repeatedly assailed by the enemy of all truth, who sought to rob them of their Christian experience. They were compelled to strive with all their God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit’s working, even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers, and 50 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES to become sanctified, refined, and ennobled. As in humility they submitted to the moulding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the fulness of the Godhead, and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine. The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ’s parting promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the ful­ filment of the promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is not appreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual de­ clension and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plenitude. Since this is the means by which we- are to re­ ceive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit! Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it! The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit, every worker should offer his petition to God. Com­ panies of Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. Especially should they pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with a rich measure THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT 51 of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God’s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give. With the consecrated worker for God, in what­ ever place he may be, the Holy Spirit abides. The words spoken to the disciples are spoken also to us. The Comforter is ours as well as theirs. The Spirit furnishes the strength that sustains striving, wres­ tling souls in every emergency, amidst the hatred of the world, and the realization of their own failures and mistakes. In sorrow and affliction, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone,— these are the times when, in answer to the prayer of faith, the Holy Spirit brings comfort to the heart. It is not a conclusive evidence that a man is a Christian because he manifests spiritual ecstasy under extraordinary circumstances. Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heav­ enly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestion­ ing confidence, and resting in His love. It is not essential for us to be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, “the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father.” It is plainly declared regarding the Holy Spirit, that in His work of guid­ ing men into all truth, “He shall not speak of Him­ self.” 4 4 John 15:26; 16:13. 52 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human con­ struction on them; but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mys­ teries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden. The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly speci­ fied in the words of Christ: “When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteous­ ness, and of judgment.”5 It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to .the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance, and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements. To the repentant sinner, hungering and thirst­ ing for righteousness, the Holy Spirit reveals the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. “He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you,” Christ said. “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatso­ ever I have said unto you. ’ ’0 The Spirit is given as a regenerating agency, to make effectual the salvation wrought by the death of our Redeemer. The Spirit is constantly seeking to draw the attention of men to the great offering that was made on the cross of Calvary, to unfold to the world the love of God, and to open to the convicted soul the precious things of the Scriptures. Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things 6 John 16:14; 14:26. 6 John 16:8. THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT 53 of this earth, and fills the soul with a desire for holi­ ness. ‘ ‘ He will guide you into all truth, ’ ’' the Sav­ iour declared. If men are willing to be moulded, there will be brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them on the soul. By His power the way of life will be made so plain that none need err therein. From the beginning God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. This was manifest in the lives of the patriarchs. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave His “good Spirit to instruct them. ’ ’8 And in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective, has upheld God’s faith­ ful children in every succeeding age. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that during the Dark Ages the Waldensian Christians helped to prepare the way for the Reformation. It was the same power that made successful the efforts of the noble men and women who pioneered the way for the es­ tablishment of modern missions, and for the trans­ lation of the Bible into the languages and dialects of all nations and peoples. j And to-day God is still using His church to make known His purpose in the earth. To-day the heralds of the cross are going from city to city, and from land to land, preparing the way for the second ad- 7 John 16:13. 8 Neh. 9:20. 54 TEE ACTS OP TEE APOSTLES vent of.Christ. The standard of God’s law is being exalted. The Spirit of the Almighty is moving upon men’s hearts, and those who respond to its influence become witnesses for God and His truth. In many places consecrated men and women may be seen communicating to others the light that has made plain to them the way of salvation through Christ. And as they continue to let their light shine, as did those who were baptized with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they receive more and still more of the Spirit’s power. Thus the earth is to be lightened with the glory of God. On the other hand, there are some who, instead- of wisely improving present opportunities, are idly waiting for some special season of spiritual refresh­ ing by which their ability to enlighten others will be greatly increased. They neglect present duties and privileges, and allow their light to burn dim, while they look forward to a time when, without any effort on their part, they will be made the recipients of special blessing, by which they will be transformed and fitted for service. It is true that in the time of the end, when God’s work in the earth is closing, the earnest efforts put forth by consecrated believers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are to be accompanied by special tokens of divine favor. Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seed-time and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the begin­ ning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time, the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church. But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest “in the time of the latter rain.” In response, “the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.” “He will cause to come down . . . the rain, the former rain, and the latter ram. ’ ’ But unless the members of God’s church to-day have a living connection with the Source of all spir­ itual growth, they will not be ready for the time of reaping. Unless they keep their lamps trimmed and burning, they will fail of receiving added grace in times of special need. Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace, will have power proportionate to tlieir daily need and their ability to use that power. Instead of looking forward to some future time when, through a special endowment of spiritual power, they will receive a miraculous fitting up for soul-winning, they are yielding themselves daily to God, that He may make them vessels meet for His use. Daily they are improving the opportunities for service that lie within their reach. Daily they are witnessing for the Master wherever they may be, whether in some humble sphere of labor in the home, or in a public field of usefulness. 9 Zech. 10:1; Joel 2:23. TEE GIFT OF TEE SPIRIT 55 56 To tlie consecrated worker there is wonderful con­ solation in tlie knowledge that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed grace; and from this communion with God He went forth to strengthen and bless others. Behold the Son of God bowed in prayer to His Father! Though He is the Son of God, He strengthens His faith by prayer, and by communion with heaven gathers to Himself power to resist evil and to minister to the needs of men. As the Elder Brother of our race, He knows the necessities of those who, compassed with infirmity and living in a world of sin and temptation, still desire to serve Him. He knows that the messengers whom He sees fit to send are weak, erring men; but to all who give themselves wholly to His service He promises divine aid. His own example is an assurance that earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith — faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to His work — will avail to bring to men the Holy Spirit’s aid in the battle against sin. Every, worker who follows the example of Christ will be prepared to receive and use the power that God has promised to His church for the ripening of earth’s harvest. Morning by morning, as the her­ alds of the gospel kneel before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him, He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving, sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day’s duties, they have the assurance that the unseen agency of the Holy Spirit enables them to be “la­ borers together with God.” THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER VI At the Temple Gate The disciples of Christ had a deep sense of their own inefficiency, and with humiliation and prayer they joined their weakness to His strength, their ignorance to His wisdom, their unworthiness to His righteousness, their poverty to His exhaustless wealth. Thus strengthened and equipped, they hesi­ tated not to press forward in the service of the Master. A short time after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and immediately after a season of earnest prayer, Peter and John, going up to the temple to worship, saw at the gate Beautiful a cripple, forty years of age, whose life, from his birth, had been one of pain and infirmity. This unfortunate man had long desired to see Jesus, that he might be healed; but he was almost helpless, and was far re­ moved from the scene of the great Physician’s labors. His pleadings at last induced some friends to bear him to the gate of the temple, but upon arriving This chapter is based on Acts 3; 4:1-31. (57) 58 TEE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES there, he found that the One upon whom his hopes were centered, had been put to a cruel death. His disappointment excited the sympathy of those who knew for how long he had eagerly hoped to be healed by Jesus, and daily they brought him to the temple, in order that passers-by might be induced by pity to give him a trifle to relieve his wants. As Peter and John passed, he asked an alms from them. The disciples regarded him compassionately, and Peter said, "Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none.” As Peter thus declared his poverty, the countenance of the cripple fell; but it grew bright with hope as the apostle continued, "But such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walk­ ing, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beau­ tiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened. ’ ’ "And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. ’ ’ They were astonished that the dis­ ciples could perform miracles similar to those per­ formed by Jesus. Yet here was this man, for forty years a helpless cripple, now rejoicing in the full use of his limbs, free from pain, and happy in be­ lieving in Jesus. When the disciples saw the amazement of the people, Peter asked, "Why marvel ye at this! or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk!” He assured them that the cure had been wrought in the name and through the merits of Jesus of Nazareth, whom God had raised from the dead. "His name through faith in His name,” the apostle declared, "hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the pres­ ence of you all.” The apostles spoke plainly of the great sin of the Jews in rejecting and putting to death the Prince of life; but they were careful not to drive their hearers to despair. "Ye denied the Holy One and the Just,” Peter said, "and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” "And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should sutler, He hath so fulfilled.” He declared that the Holy Spirit was calling upon them to repent and be converted, and assured them that there was no hope of salvation except through the mercy of the One whom they had crucified. Only through faith in Him could their sins be forgiven. "Bepent ye therefore, and be converted,” he cried, "that y^y sins may be blotted out, when the AT THE TEMPLE GATE 59 60 the acts of the apostles times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with onr fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto yon first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of yon from his iniquities.” y Thus the disciples preached the resurrection of Christ. Many among those who listened were wait­ ing for this testimony, and when they heard it, they believed. It brought to their minds the words that Christ had spoken, and they took their stand in the ranks of those who accepted the gospel. The seed that the Saviour had sown sprang up and bore fruit. While the disciples were speaking to the people, “the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” After Christ’s resurrection, the priests had spread far and near the lying report that His body had been stolen by the disciples while the Roman guard slept. It is not surprising that they were displeased when they heard Peter and John preaching the res- ’ urrection of the One they had murdered. The Sad­ ducees especially were greatly aroused. They felt that their most cherished doctrine was in danger, and their reputation at stake. / Converts to the new faith were\.rapidly increas­ ing, and both Pharisees and Sadducees agreed that if these new teachers were suffere