The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-06-21

Early believers were wildly con.
scious Of the crucifed, risen and exalt-
ed Savior. The cross was too near to
be merely shadowy object of history.
The risen Christ had moved among
them dispelling the darkness of their
despair, and giving evidence that he
was indeed the Redeemer of Israel
and the world. He had manifested
himself by many proofs during 40 days,
and then the little group of disciples
had seen him ascend to heaven, rising
toward the azure blue of the sky and
passing beyond the fringed border of a
cloud. More than this, two heavenly
visitors, clad in the white of heavenly
purity, had given assurance that "this
same Jesus" taken up from them into
heaven, would $50 come in like man
ner," as they had seen him go into
heaven. With this assurance they re-
turned to Jerusalem with great Joy,
not because the Master was gone, but
because they had absolute assurance
Of his continued ministry in the heav-
emily places, and Of his glorious and
triumphant return. This vivid con-
seriousness of the risen and exalted
Christ should still be marked fea-
ture of Christian experience. 1t is pos
sible to let thought of church organiza-
ton, UNCONVENTIONAL tenets and
schemes of effort become so absorbing
as to lose vital consciousness Of
Christ himself.
vitalIy Interested in His Purpose and
Promises.
Early believers were vitaily inter-
ssted in the purposes and promises OF;
| their assembled Lord. They rec0gnfzed
lis worldwide purpose of redemption,
and had no thought of being satisfied
With successful local organization
in Jerusalem where little company of
believers could worship in comfort
with but meager thought or sacrifice
for a worldwide propaganda. They
also depended entirely upon the full
6llment of Christ's promise for power.
He had said: "Ye shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit is come upon
you" So they waited in prayerful ex-
pectation for the baptism and milling
of the Holy Spirit, which was Christ's
greatest and last promise for their
equipment.
Vivid consciousness of Christ and Vi
tai interest in his purpose and prom
lses produced third important thing,
which was visible union in prayer and
testimony. "They were all with one
accord in one place." United prayer
marked the fellowship of early be-
levers. God could not have effected
the great ends of Psntecost had there
not been unity Of believers in pray
err and expectation. With such union
the power of God came upon them,
and with this there came united tes-
timony to the world as to what God
had done and as to what God would
do for needy humanity. Pentecost
made preachers of all believers. Pc
ter was not the only speaker on that
occasion. "They were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to speak
with other tongues as the Spirit gave
them utterance." All believers are
still expected to be witnesses to
Christ. A church with a united testi-
mony will challenge the attention Of
the world.
PentecostaI Features Continued.
Pentecost can never be repeated in
the history of the church in its pri-
mary sense of baptizing believers into
one body, so as to give union with the
exalted Christ. The Holy Spirit was
given for all time at Pentecost, hut
the milling of believers for service is
Gods continued purpose through che
ministry of the Holy Spirit, and when
ever men wait with prayer Of faith
there will be the bestowal Of power
Just as surely as the great energy Of
electricity has laws of movement and
yields itself to the service of men,
Just so surely is there flaw of the
spirit of life in Christ" which when
observed secures for waiting believers
the power of God. There Is not a
church in hamlet, town or city which
may not through faithful waiting on
God have repeated in their experience
the power-features of Pentecost, so
far as enduement for testimony is
concerned and the y1aking OF saving