20 Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
their watchword, their band of union. In His name they were to
subdue the strongholds of sin. Faith in His name was to mark them
as Christians.
Giving the disciples further directions, Christ said: “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.” “But tarry ye in
the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49.
In obedience to the word of their Master the disciples assembled
in Jerusalem to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Here they
spent ten days, days of deep heart searching. They put away all
differences and drew close together in Christian fellowship.
At the end of ten days the Lord fulfilled His promise by a wonderful
outpouring of His Spirit. “Suddenly there came a sound from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where
they were sitting. 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.” “And the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:2-4, 41.
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working
with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark
16:20. Notwithstanding the fierce opposition that the disciples met,
in a short time the gospel of the kingdom had been sounded to all
the inhabited parts of the earth.
[16] The commission given to the disciples is given also to us. Today,
as then, a crucified and risen Saviour is to be uplifted before those
who are without God and without hope in the world. The Lord
calls for pastors, teachers, and evangelists. From door to door His
servants are to proclaim the message of salvation. To every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people the tidings of pardon through Christ are
to be carried.
Not with tame, lifeless utterance is the message to be given, but
with clear, decided, stirring utterances. Hundreds are waiting for
the warning to escape for their lives. The world needs to see in
Christians an evidence of the power of Christianity. Not merely in
a few places, but throughout the world, messengers of mercy are
Commission 21
needed. From every country is heard the cry: “Come over, ...and
help us.” Rich and poor, high and low, are calling for light. Men
and women are hungering for the truth as it is in Jesus. When they
hear the gospel preached with power from on high, they will know
that the banquet is spread for them, and they will respond to the call:
“Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17.
The words “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature” (Mark 16:15) are spoken to each one of Christ’s
followers. All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained
to work for the salvation of their fellow men. The same longing of
soul that He felt for the saving of the lost is to be manifest in them.
Not all can fill the same place, but for all there is a place and a work.
All upon whom God’s blessings have been bestowed are to respond
by actual service; every gift is to be employed for the advancement
of His kingdom.
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An Unchanging Promise
Christ made full provision for the prosecution of the work entrusted
