Acts 1:4-8 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem… In the Old Testament the doctrine of the Spirit had been revealed in its great outlines. In the Gospels the subject is more fully treated in connection with the person and history of Christ. In the Acts there is a great advance, for full and distinct testimony is borne to Him in sixteen out of its twenty-eight chapters. His path in the Scriptures, like that of the sun, "shineth more and more unto the perfect day." In the text He is called "the promise of the Father." To Him the attention and hope of the Church had been long directed as the largest gift of a Father's love. The Old Testament writers had taught believers to look forward to Him as the consummation of their hope, and for Him the disciples were now bidden to wait. This command was — I. SEASONABLE. 1. The circumstances of the disciples were peculiarly trying. They had scarcely recovered from the shock of their Lord's death. His presence was now very occasional, and was about to terminate. In their discouragement they needed to have their hopes assured. 2. Besides on what a stupendous enterprise they were about to be engaged. Moses trembled to undertake His mission. Jonah fled when commanded to go to Nineveh. Jeremiah excused himself by saying, "I am a child." What, then, must the apostles have felt? (1) They were to be the founders of a new dispensation, against which the prejudices of their countrymen and the enmity of mankind would be aroused. (2) One feature of this dispensation, creating the utmost difficulty with Jew and heathen, was its spirituality. Gorgeous economies were to be supplanted by that which had no attraction for the carnal eye. (3) Their one business, which as exclusive Jews must have been very repugnant, was to bring the whole world under the power of this dispensation. How seasonable then the command. We read in Revelation, that before a mighty work was to be done in the earth, "there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." In like manner our Lord claimed the attention of His disciples. Their minds were brought into the most desirable attitude. They were made to feel that they and their cause were in God's hands, and were drawn to constant prayer. They obeyed His word, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart." II. NECESSARY. Without this promise they were entirely disqualified. 1. They were few. 2. They were destitute of those outward qualifications of station and influence, which are generally thought to promise success. 3. They laboured under its greatest mental and moral disqualifications. They were — (1) Slow to learn the truth. (2) Timid in the extreme. (3) Worldly in their ambition. (4) Contentious in their intercourse.All this considered, no wonder they had been hitherto unsuccessful. They little understood their ministry, had not much heart in it, and wanted unity. How fitting, then, that they should have to "wait for the promise"! III. EFFECTUAL. The command had a mighty influence. They did wait, and engaged in exercises becoming such a period. Already there were indications of what would be done for them by the Spirit. But the earnest was small compared with the realisation of the promise. 1. The slow of understanding were made quick of apprehension. 2. The cowardly were made bold. 3. The earthly were made heavenly minded. 4. Their only rivalry now was who should bear to do most for the common cause. 5. The effects were such as might be excepted. Their "word was with power." "Mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed." IV. INSTRUCTIVE. The great lessons are as applicable to us as to them. 1. Without the Spirit we are disqualified for the work of God. 2. We should engage in every special work only in His strength. It is not enough that we have the Spirit. We need to be enriched afresh by His grace. 3. Hence He must be diligently sought.Conclusion: 1. How inexcusable we are if we do not obtain "the promise of the Father." "Ask and ye shall receive." 2. How great the influence which this doctrine should exercise over us. How pure, heavenly, and energetic we ought to be. (J. Morgan, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. |
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