Christ's Presence with His Disciples by Wm. Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 7.

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Christ's Presence with His Disciples

By Wm. Covert

The Spirit of God—No. 5

Christ's Presence with His Disciples

WM. COVERT

1. What words of comfort and promise did Jesus announce to his disciples near the time of his crucifixion?

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15: 1-3.

2. How did these words affect them?

“But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.” John 16: 5, 6.

3. What provision for the comfort of those who would believe on him did Jesus promise to make with the Father after ascending to heaven?

“I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” John 14: 16.

*4. What other words did Jesus use in describing the Comforter, and who

only can receive the comfort, and why?*

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world can not receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14: 17, 18.

5. How constantly and how long is the abiding presence of Jesus to be with his followers?

“I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28: 20.

6. What was David's experience concerning the presence of his Saviour?

“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Ps. 16: 8. “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.” Acts 2: 25.

7. To how many, and for what period of time, are these promises made?

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2: 39.

8. How did even the enemies of Christ witness to his presence with his disciples?

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4: 13.

9. What optical view did Stephen have of his Saviour in the hour of severest trial?

“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7: 54-56.

10. Give an instance where Jesus called with audible voice to one who had been persecuting Christians.

“And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Acts 22: 6, 7.

11. Please read Acts 16: 6-10.

Especially read this scripture from the Revised Version, and note that Jesus is himself directing his own work through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. He is ever present. He constantly watches over his work, and over his workers.

12. How much of our care, therefore, should we cast upon him?

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5: 6, 7.

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