What Meaneth This?

That something special had taken place at this Pentecost was observed by all, but of what it consisted is not to be comprehended by the mind. It needs clarification for Jew and Gentile, for religious people and for irreligious people. It was no wonder that they were in doubt, for they heard them speak in their own native language of the wonderful works of God. And this was done by simple Galilean fishermen, who knew no other languages.

However, only being amazed and marveling is not saving and does not lead to conversion. Something more is necessary, for the powerful and irresistible work of God's Spirit Himself is necessary. The inhabitants of Bethlehem also wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost and endued with power from on high. Completely unexpectedly it took place, this sound as of a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire which sat upon each of them. Then, through the fullness of the Spirit, they began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

At that Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to abide with His Church, amidst all them that love His appearing, amidst that people who were loved of the Lord from eternity and who in time were called with the powerful calling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was already present previously with His gifts and operations, for otherwise not one person could have been converted. However, now He came as the Comforter, as promised by the Lord Jesus.

It is remarkable that on this day of Pentecost no person was converted because of the speaking with other tongues. It gave rise to doubts, to questions, and amazement: “What meaneth this?” It did not bring them to the anxious question of a pierced heart, “Men and brethren, what must we do to be saved?” Such a question came after the penetrating preaching of Peter, who at once appeared as an instrument prepared by the Spirit. The wind of the Spirit had moved him, and he stood filled by God. The fire of Pentecost had inflamed him.

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” This question comes only after the guilt of the multitude was set before them by Peter. The Word of the Spirit poured as a mighty torrent from his unsealed lips. We know the preaching of Peter. It was Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Christ is there the living focal point. And it was in the proclamation of the gospel by Peter that the Holy Spirit was now active in taking and giving the rich treasures of Christ.

What an overpowering preaching this was, full of incriminating, convicting, and distressing power. Yet, without the heart-renewing operation of the Holy Spirit, even the mightiest word is ineffective and rebounds from the hardness of the heart. The secret of true concern lies only in the operation of the Holy Spirit, who directs the word upon the heart and wounds the soul, who burns as a fire, humbles the heart, and causes to cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

We can still go lost with speaking with tongues and with doing wonders. It is alone the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, working repentance and faith in the heart, which bestows the new life of Pentecost. They are a people who speak one language, the language of the publican, the language in the life of a poor sinner, the language of hearty love unto the Lord, His Word, His day, His service, and His people. It is the language of the poor in spirit, who cannot maintain themselves in life, and without Him are so inexpressibly miserable. It is a people who have learned something of what it is to be pricked in the heart, a heart thrust through when their guilt is set before them: “This Jesus, whom ye have crucified.”

Oh, this is that most precious fruit of the Spirit of Pentecost, that there are those pricked in the heart by the preaching of law and gospel. There enemies are reconciled with God and ungodly ones justified by that precious blood of the Lamb. There the cry of a soul pricked in his heart sounds, “Give me Jesus, or I die.” There he continually sinks lower, and there God is more exalted. The Spirit of Pentecost makes one wretched, and miserable, and blind, and naked, that Christ may be glorified in the heart and be formed in the heart of the sinner.

Have we already thus needed the Spirit of Pentecost? The event of Pentecost will not again be repeated, but the Spirit of Pentecost yet works in the heart of dead sinners until the end of the world. May we then pray with David, “O let Thy Spirit be my constant aid, that all my ways may ever be directed.”

Where the Spirit has once made His abode in the heart and gained entrance, there also the voice of the holy longing of the bride in continuance is born, “Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out, and that the Lord may be glorified in His own work.”

The Spirit of Truth

Spirit of truth, come down,
Reveal the things of God;
Oh, make to us salvation known,
And witness with the blood.

No man can truly say
That Jesus is the Lord,
Unless Thou take the veil away,
And breathe the living Word.

Then, only then, we feel
Our interest in His blood;
And cry, with joy unspeakable,
“Thou art my Lord, my God!”

Oh, that we now might know
The all-atoning Lamb!
Spirit of faith, descend and show
The virtues of His Name.

Inspire the living faith,
Which whosoe'er receives,
The witness in himself he hath,
And joyfully believes.

— C.W.

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