Before and After Pentecost by D. H. KRESS, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1914

Before and After Pentecost

By D. H. KRESS, M. D.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

THAT a remarkable change took place in the men to whom had been intrusted the preaching of the gospel on the day of Pentecost, was observed by all the people assembled at Jerusalem; for we are told "they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?"

That remarkable results followed is also apparent; for after Peter had preached his first sermon, the people who heard were pricked in their hearts, and said to the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized 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." "And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

But this was not all. "As many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet." Such a mighty impetus did the preaching of the word receive that a few years later, Paul, in writing to the Colossian church, could say, "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world." In a comparatively short space of time the gospel had reached the then-known world.

What made this change? and what brought about these results? Samuel the prophet, in anointing Saul king and setting him apart to his sacred office, said, "The Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man." Here we have the secret of the apostles' success. The Spirit of the Lord had come upon these men, and they, too, were turned into other men. To be convinced of this, study the lives of these men before and after Pentecost, and note what a remarkable change had taken place.

There was a time in the experience of all these men when they cheerfully separated themselves from their earthly possessions—their homes and friends—in order to become followers of Christ. They did not even inquire how their relatives who were dependent upon them would be provided for. Andrew and his brother Simon did not consider it a great act of self-denial to leave their nets and boats at a time when business was at its best and their nets were full of fishes. "They beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship [James and John], that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink." "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him." Luke 5: 7, 11.

These men were imbued with the Spirit of God, and were able in their newfound power to cast out devils, heal the sick, and do other mighty miracles. After being sent out on their first missionary tour, they "returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

The time came in their experience when they lost their first love, and consequently the first works were no longer witnessed. The following appeal was made by a father in behalf of his son: "Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out. . . . And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not." Instead of having in view the glory of God, at this time they were "reasoning among themselves as to who of them should be the greatest." They were striving for positions of honor. With them it was a question of who would sit on Christ's right hand and who on his left in his kingdom. It is evident that the wage question, or the question of remuneration, also arose. Jesus

minded them of the change that had come over them. He said, "When I sent you without purse, and script, and shoes, lacked ye anything?" They had to admit that they lacked "nothing." John and James had so far lost sight of their mission that they were ready to command fire to come down out of heaven and consume those whom Jesus came to save. Peter made use of the sword to protect the cause with which he was connected. But Jesus said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."

It is evident that they needed conversion, or a change of heart. They were no longer able to represent their Lord and Master, neither could they do his works of mercy and compassion. Jesus said to Peter, "Satan hath desired to have you. . . . When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." In addressing the twelve, he said, "Except ye be converted . . . ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18: 3.

With the church and its leaders unconverted, God could not work to bring people into the church, because of their influence upon these new converts. A radical change was necessary within the church before God could work as he desired to on the outside. They had to pass through experiences which would reveal to them their weaknesses in order to lose all confidence in the flesh. These experiences came to them at the crucifixion. They all fled and denied him whom they reverenced and loved. He knew that after this they would be in a position to take his counsel.

When he took his departure from them, Jesus admonished them to remain at home until they experienced a change of heart, or until the love of God should be shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, for obedience and service. He "commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father." He said, "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence," and, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and [then] ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." They tarried, but while they were tarrying, they had a work to do; the time was spent in prayer, in the confession of past sins, in putting away all differences. As the Spirit of God revealed their unlikeness to Christ, a longing such as they had never had before, took possession of them to be like their Lord and Master, to manifest his mercy and compassion, and to be in possession of his love. They hungered and thirsted after righteousness. "When the day of Pentecost was fully come," they had reached the point where they "were all with one accord in one place." They were fully united, and each was now willing to take the lowest place. No longer did they think of honor, position, or reward. They were completely emptied of self. The rubbish which had been piled up against the door of their hearts was removed.

The door could now be swung back. Christ no longer would walk by their side, but they were to experience a much closer and more precious union than this: from henceforth he would abide in them. He would be more fully formed within. Then they would be able to do that which before was impossible,—to manifest his Spirit, live his life, and do his works. This was the change which took place on the day of Pentecost. Up to this time they had known Christ after the flesh, but henceforth they were to know him no more after the flesh. This was an experience which went beyond anything they had had before.

For the first time they could say, "We are of the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, . . . and have no confidence in the flesh." They saw that the only thing that availed was a new creation, and that for men and women to enter the kingdom of God, they must be born from above; that there is no other way. It was only after they themselves were truly converted that they could appreciate the need of conversion. To all, the appeal came after this, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted." By the working of mighty miracles God could now call the attention of the world to his church. With converted leaders God could throw back the door of the church and invite those who were on the threshold to step in. This he did, and thousands were converted.

We are looking forward to the time when again thousands will be converted in a day. But we are told that "the Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth because of the church members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on the new converts? Would they not make of none effect the God-given message?" It is evident that the words addressed to the apostles before Pentecost apply today with equal force: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven;" and, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." There must first be a converted ministry and a converted people before God can bring the church prominently before the world through signs and miracles.

Conversion is what is called for in the message of the "faithful and true witness." To the minister of the church of the Laodiceans write: "Thou sayest, I am rich, . . . and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

This "testimony of the true witness," we are told, "has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who receive it will obey it, and be purified." "Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people."—"Early Writings," page 270.

We certainly have reached the time in the history of this church when the message must go to its members, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." To all who respond, the assurance comes: "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 afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

When this solemn testimony, upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been fully received, God can again swing back the portals of the church, and call the attention of the world to her, and invite those that are on the threshold to step in. He will then do a speedy work. This is the experience for which every one should pray.