The Coolidge examiner., 1936-07-03

6-S).
The work incumbent upon the
Church is witnessing to Christ's gra-
cious salvation to all the nations.
After this is done, there will fol-
low the preaching Of the gospel of
the kingdom by converted Israelites
(Acts 10 :14-17; CT. Matt. 4:14.
This was not clear to the disciples,
therefore they put the question,
'Wilt thou at this time restore the
kingdom of Israeli" The Divine
kingdom shall be established, but
not until after the gospel of the
grace of God is preached and the
body of Christ is completed.
1. In Jerusalem ". 81. This was
done by the twelve Immediately fol-
lowing Pentecost.
2. In Judea and Samaria ". 81.
This was done by the disciples after
the hands of the prosecutors were
laid on them. Not only the twelve
but many others took part in this.
3. Unto the uttermost part of the
earth ". 81. Beginning with the
first foreign missionary enterprise,
this work has been carried on with
varying degrees of success till the
present time.
II. The Coming of the Spirit
(Acts 2:1-1D.
The power of the early Church
was the Holy Spirit. The watch
word of Gods mightiest men
throughout the centuries has been
mot by might, nor by power, but
by my spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts" Czech. 4:6).
/. The time (vD. 1t was on he
day of Pentecost. BY day of Pen
tecost" is meant the feast which
was held fifty days after the wave
sheaf was offered (Lev. 23:15, 16).
1t was observed by presenting two
loaves made of the new meal (Lev
23:1O. These loaves were baked
with leaven, while leaven was rig
idly excluded from the passover
feast Uev. $3.50.
2. Upon whom the Spirit came
". ~. CT. 1:13-15). The twelve
and others to the number of 100.
The coming of the spirit was not
merely for the twelve but for all
believers, all the members of the
body of Christ They were in one
place with one accord waiting for
the fulfillment of the Fathers
promise Uuke "a :49). If the church
would be with one accord in one
place, wonderful blessings might
still be expected.
3. The marks of the Spirit (vv.
2-4). These marks were external
and internal.
a. External. Q) The sign of a
mighty wind. There was no wind,
only the sound thereof, suggesting
the all-perversive, life-giving influ-
ence of the Holy Spirit. (2) Tongues
of flame. Each of the 100 was
crowned with such a tongue. The
tongues show the practical purpose
of the Spirits gifts and the fire in
dicates his purifying energy, purg-
ing away the dress and making fit
his witnesses. (3) Speaking in for
eign tongues. For these humble
Galileans thus to speak caused great
amazement.
b. Internal. This is seen In the
transformation wrought in the dis
ciples. They now have great cour-
age and self-possession. Peter, who
little while before was covering
before a Jewish maid, now with lion
boldneSs stood before the thousands
Of Jerusalem, and a little later be
fore the chief rulers Of the city, and
declared unto them that they had
murdered their King.
III. The Converting Power OF the
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3742).
Many people were convicted of
their sins-about 5000 repented and
were baptized. This revival was
real because
1. They continued steadfast In
the apostles teaching ". 42). They
did not grow cold or run after every
new teacher that came along.
2. They continued in fellowship
with the apostles ". 42). The surest
way to grow is to keep fellowship
with Christians. Spiritual indiffer-
euce is sure to follow the neglect Of
the fellowship of the brethren In
Christ.
8. They continued in the use of
the means of grace ". '42). They
broke bread together. God has in
stituted certain ordinances in his
house, and those who are genuinely
converted will avail themselves of
their use.
4. In prayer. The apostolic
church was Draying church. The