“Now when they heard this, they were pricked to their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised 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. 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 2:37, 38, 39.
“What shall we do?”
The question hung tremulous upon the lips of thousands! ©
“What shall we do?”
The faces of men paled!
Countenances of women blanched!
Old and young shook with the ague of conviction!
Like snow driven against a fiery furnace, doubts evaporated before the burning message of the Spirit.
Like shades of night, when brought to combat with the sun at dawning, the thin veneer of mockery and questioning had been rolled into the Valley of a dead Yesterday.
“What shall we do?”
Men cried forth the question in an agony, being pierced to the heart.
What was it that had ‘‘pricked their hearts’?
None other than the blessed, sharp, two-edged sword of the Spirit which flashed from the lips of the inspired apostle Peter.
Note that they were not pricked in their head. Peter did not win them to the Lord by appealing only to their reasoning powers, and the logic of their brain. His message went deeper, was more direct. It reached down and “‘pricked,’’ that is, made uncomfortable with the proddings of conviction, the very heart itself.
“What shall we do to be saved?
“What shall we do to make restitution for the awful sin which we have wrought through the crucifixion of our Lord?
“What shall we do in order to receive that which we see and hear?
“What shall we do that we may receive the same joy and power which yourselves have received?” _ Humbly, anxiously, earnestly the questions flooded in.
No more antagonism manifest by the crowd! Nomore scoffing! They were humbled. Their defenses were left wide open. The power of the Spirit had conquered. Decision, faith, firm assurance, boldness, love and earnestness, fruit of the indwelling Spirit, had won a sweeping victory where the cold, questioning, uncertain, apologetic, powerless methods of today would have failed utterly.
“What shall we do?
“That which we see is appealing; that which we hear is supernatural and doth ‘speak the wonderful works of God.’ How may we receive of these copious showers which fall from the sky?”
Seemeth one hears the questions ringing yet; not only from the throng surging about the hundred and twenty on the Day of Pentecost, but from the thousands of similarly hungry hearts whose innermost beings today ache with longing, as they read of the power which fell in the Upper Room.
It did not take Peter long to answer their questions.
It did not take a great theological treatise or a ponderous brief to contain the wording of his answer. Nor did the answer contain an apology, or any cumbersome effort to sidestep and declare that the gift was merely for the hundred and twenty — for the clergy and not for the masses. Neither did it contain any suggestion that the gift which had been bestowed upon the inmates of the Upper Room in a visible, audible manner which could be seen and heard, would henceforth be bestowed upon believers so quietly and with such lack of manifestation that one would scarce be aware of His incoming.
Oh, no!
Here is the glorious answer, clear and clean-cut, spreading out its pinions of promise as wide as the. wings of the morning.
“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.
“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 2:38, 39.
Here is the perfect sermon condensed into two sentences. It is perfect,
First, because it is explicit.
The directions given are so plain that even a fool need not err in the following thereof. They are as rudimentary and simple as the A B C’s.
A. Repent — and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out.
B. And be baptized —in water, thus showing to the world the separation from the old life; the burial of the past, and the birth of the new.
C. And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Upon the cleansed and consecrated life, the Spirit shall be bestowed.
It is plain that one must first accept the Christ before being filled with the Spirit.
The Ark of Salvation may well be likened to that builded by Noah.
There are three stories to the Ark, but only one Door. If one would descend into the depths of the Father’s love, or ascend up into the third story and be filled with the Holy Spirit, one must needs first come in at the Door ‘‘set in the side thereof,”’ even the Atonement through the riven side of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Lord does not fill the unclean vessel with His Spirit, ‘repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of reee om come from the presence of the Lord.”
cts 3:19.
He does not baptize the ‘‘old’’ man, the selfnature, be it good or bad. Therefore, it must be buried and the new man resurrected, Christ-like, in its stead.
Tue Houy SPIRIT 91
_Then of the hungry heart he creates a cleansed and yielded vessel acceptable in His sight, ready to be filled with the Spirit.
The sermon contained in these two short verses is perfect,
Second, because of its universality.
His message took in not only the throng which stood with eager, upturned faces before him, but included nations as yet unborn.
It was for rich and poor, old and young, educated and uneducated, for clergy and laity, pulpit and pew, for “even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Third, because of the longevity of the promise contained therein.
Is it possible that Peter, standing there under the blazing light of the prophetic message which was upon him, saw with clear eyes the ages not yet unfolded from the bosom of the Infinite?
Can it be that he saw the race of ministers yet unborn, who, in explaining or rather seeking to explain away the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, would claim that the gift which was bestowed upon the Day of Pentecost was merely for the hundred and twenty, or at best a gift for the Apostolic Age?
It would appear that he did, for seizing four strong nails and the hammer of the Word, he proceeded to fasten down this truth and clinch it in the strongest and most unmistakable manner.
Let us dissect Peter’s answer and consider it minutely for a moment.
“The promise is unto you —”’
Clearly this referred to the multitude standing before him at the moment.
“And to your children —”
Here the promise spreads its wings and embraces generations yet unborn; generations which coming to the age of understanding, should receive the gift of the Holy Spirit after the decease of the disciples and the hundred and twenty. The promise being unto their children, rather than being confined to the Apostolic age, was as the rising sun of a new-born day whose light should broaden and spread till all they yet slumbering in darkness should rise to greet it and be glad.
“The promise included those of the Bible age, but it is not for today,’”’ said the Dean of a great Bible School to his faculty assembled about the round table some time ago.
One moment, Brother!
“And to all that are afar off —”
Visualizing the days when God’s Word in its fulness and purity should be denied, questioned and doubted by the very ones who should uphold it, God caused him to drive home and clinch the truth forever.
Then, lest he should leave one little loophole of doubt through which should creep any teaching which would deny this precious infilling to even one believer in the generations to come, he placed his fourth nail, definitely and unequivocally:
“Even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Brother! Sister! Has the Lord called you? Then the promise is unto you! Hallelujah!
Fourth, the sermon was concise. gdwiay, snjesuy [njiyneeg Jo MalA V
The message contained therein was condensed into compact, solid truth, simply and clearly put. Its content was potent and the effect thereof instantaneous. Stated plainly and without unnecessary enlargement the Word was rendered without equivocation, amendment, or apology, and hearts opened to receive the light.
Fifth, his was a full message.
Peter’s message proclaimed a ‘‘complete menu.” Nothing was blue-penciled or marked “not for today.”’
Upon hearing the “limited Gospel” preached by many of the modern ministers, one is reminded of the plight of the miner who sought dinner in a northern city. He had been prospecting without results for many tedious months. Throughout the entire duration of this trying time, he had been obliged to exist on naught but canned food. At last he became so sick of canned beans, canned salmon and sardines that he shuddered at the very thought.
Then one day he struck it rich. The pick which had so frequently fallen fruitlessly on barren rocks, sank into a soft, yellow vein of gold.
With a glad cry, he fell feverishly upon the newly discovered treasure. He filled his belt and knapsack, staked out his claim, and set off for the nearest city to register his mine and to enjoy his first real meal in many moons.
Late in the evening he arrived at his destination. Pausing before a pretentious restaurant, he entered, rubbing his hands with satisfaction and smiling in anticipation as he looked appreciatively at the expanse of tables with their gleaming silver lying upon snowy linen.
Upon each table lay an impressive, leather-bound menu. Mouth watering with anticipation, he read:
“Roast turkey!
“Roast duckling!
“Baked chicken!’’
Dozens of dishes listed in luscious array.
“Waiter! Waiter!” called the half-starved man. “Bring me a large order of roast turkey, quickly.”
“Sorry, sir,” the waiter shook his head, ‘but the roast turkey is all gone.”’
“Bring some roast duckling then.”
“That’s out of season, sir.”
“Well, let me see — bring me some roast chicken. That is always in season.”
“Sorry, sir, but I’ll have to blue-pencil that. The dinner hour is over.”
“Oh! Then bring me some roast beef.”
“Sir, the dinner hour is over,” he reiterated, “there are no more roasts to be had. In fact, it is almost closing time.”
“Well, how about a nice porter-house steak?”
“Sorry, sir, but the traveling salesman yonder ate our last steak. Now I could have a can of beans opened and warmed for you and perhaps some salmon or fare similar,”’ the waiter suggested apologetically.
Needless to say the miner shuddered and left the restaurant in a rage, determined to find a restaurant which was open at all hours and where all good food had not been blue-penciled from the bill of fare or marked ‘“‘out of season.”’ Yet, as we smile sympathetically at the story we are struck with the aptness of the simile.
The hungry miner is the hungry man of the world who is seeking after the heavenly food with which to satisfy his famished soul.
The “restaurant” is the Church of God.
The “bill of fare” is the Word of God.
The ‘canned goods” is the cold, powerless, mechanical, modernistic, and super-critical preaching with which the real Word of God is substituted by the unbelieving and backslidden preacher.
The “waiter” who blue-pencils the “menu” is the minister who crosses out or eliminates the real meaty promises of the Word of God.
Even now this half-starved man comes to the door of the church. Hungrily he ruffles the pages of that divine menu card, the Bible.
“Preacher! Preacher!’
Eagerly he calls for food.
“In Acts 2:4, and in Acts 10:46, and in Acts 19:6, I read of a mighty and glorious Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I would like a full order of that if you please. Oh, the glory and the power of it! The reality and the sweetness of such an experience! Make haste and serve to me the message which shall bring it hence, I pray.”
“My dear sir, I regret to inform you that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is out of season now; ’twas merely for Bible days. But we have a very fine canned product called ‘self-effort’ and ‘human substitutes’ which might appeal to you.”
“No, thank you.
“But, see here, in James 5:14, and in other places, I read of Divine Health. I am ill and broken. May I have my healing immediately, please?”
“T am sorry, sir, but they of the Apostolic age ate the last of the Divine Healing which was on the bill of fare. Now could I interest you in some fine ‘canned medicines’ coupled with a prayer that the good Lord may bless the earthly means?”
“No thanks. But might I have the real born again Geocar nce of which I read so glowingly in the sacred page?”’
“Sorry, but we consider all emotionalism passé today so have no more altar calls, with the attendant ‘know so’ experience. Could we offer you as a subcay a card to sign or a nominal church membership?”
Not so preached Peter on the Day of Pentecost!
“The promise is unto you,”he cried, ‘and to your children, and to them that are afar off, and even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
God is no respector of persons. What He has done for us, He waits to do for you. His shelves are not bare. His cupboards are filled to overflowing. His tables groan with the weight of food which He has to offer. Come, draw up your chair; place your feet under the Father’s table and feed your hungry souls.
As Peter spake, a change came over his audience. Seorn turned into curiosity, interest quickened into conviction, and finally gave place to anxious iaquiry.
And now their hearts were transformed by joyous acceptance and assurance.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:41-47.
There, brethren, is our pattern as sure as the sun is in the heavens.
Why, oh, why, does the Church today struggle along in weak impotence when the great reservoir of God’s spiritual fulness is hers for the asking?
Why be content with but one or two conversions during the week or month, or perchance with no conversions or altar calls at all, when millions are dying without Christ and countless millions are going down, down into endless night?
If Peter’s sermon brought three thousand to Christ on the Day of Pentecost in the midst of all the prejudice and religious intolerance in Jerusalem, thousands can be won to Christ today by the ministry of devoted Christians filled with the Holy Spirit.
The old Gospel has never lost its power. It is rather mankind who has lost his power by losing the old-time Spirit.
It is said that at a recent Denominational Convention, wherein ministers were rendering reports which tabulated the accomplishments for the year, one clergyman stood and read forth the following:
Additions to the Church 2 none
Notte ere: Tee ee eee Se none
Diedact. 4 ee eee none
“Thank God,” he added, “we are holding our own!”
The statement, though humorous in itself, is tragic, in that it represents the attitude of many Shepherds of the Sheep.
Where is the old-time burden for souls?
Where is the old-time crying out through days and nights of fasting, and prayer, and tears, for the coming of a city-shaking, community-stirring revival?
Where is the old “Give me Scotland or I die!’ attitude of John Knox?
Are we content with our smaller, more fashionable audiences; the satisfactory financial plans; the chanting of the paid choir; the turn-out to social gatherings and suppers; the false activity of the bazaar?
Have we been lulled to sleep in the false sense of security gendered by activities centered about the formal feeding of those members we already have, rather than being consumed with the burning passion for the lost in the world roundabout us?
Or are we content?
I doubt it!
Away down in our hearts, despite the laudanum, and the sleeping potion which the enemy has slipped into our veins, there is a ery for an old-fashioned outpouring of the Spirit of God which shall sweep thousands into the Kingdom and evangelize new fields.
Yet, the fact remains that the evangelists who are really bringing thousands to Jesus Christ in short periods of time, might be numbered upon the fingers of one hand.
Beloved, we need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! We need this Baptism in the Bible way!
Many will say:
“We admit that we need the Holy Spirit, but we do not desire all of the fanaticism, the excitement and manifestation to which the hundred and twenty fell heir on the Day of Pentecost.”
Would it not be well to go a little slow when it comes to calling the Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord, or those blessed Apostles who had walked with the Master for a space of more than three years and whose names are carved upon the twelve gates of the City of God, fanatic — or of accusing them of being over-emotional; that is at least until we can accomplish as much or more good in the church, or acquire as many genuine conversions to the Faith of the Son as they?
It is a noteworthy fact that they who claim to have received the Holy Spirit in a different and more modern manner than they who were filled on the Day of Pentecost, are not having a similar number of conversions and their work is comparatively stripped of the garments of power. Let us stop skirting the edges and side-stepping the truth of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! Let us stop talking about and explaining just why we of today are “different” and why we shall “receive in a different manner” than any recorded in the Word; and let us fall down upon our knees and ery out until Acts 2:4 is repeated in us. Then shall the number of souls won for Christ be accordingly increased and the Church, with banners flying, shall march on to victory.
At Angelus Temple and in our branch churches of the Foursquare Gospel we have proven this to be true.
During each of the eight summers and winters that the Temple has been opened, we have registered an average of ten thousand converts at our altars; and baptized an average of three thousand in water by immersion.
Thousands have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4. Sick have been healed by the thousand and have left their crutches and braces, their wheel chairs, and their ambulance beds, to leap and praise the Lord for perfect healing. Blind eyes have been opened, deaf ears unstopped and the tongue of the dumb has been made to sing for joy.
Almost twenty thousand persons have united with Angelus Temple since it opened its books for membership seven years ago. The Branch Churches of the Foursquare Gospel register between sixteen and twenty thousand members who sign their church books each month. It must be remembered that the work in the Branch Churches has been incorporated but some four years at the time of this writing.
These facts substantiate the claim that the Baptism of the Spirit is a mighty factor in soul-winning evangelism.
Angelus Temple is open day and night.
Herein are conducted three services each and every day during the entire year.
Thousands of poor and needy find free clothing, food, and employment through the Temple Commissary. eTHE
t Ho.uy Spirit
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The Prayer Tower, where men pray all night and women pray all day in two hour shifts, has not been closed or deserted for a day ora night during the past seven years. Some four hundred men and women Serve in this tower each week, each praying for a period of two hours, over the thousands of prayer requests which flood in from all corners of the earth, These requests average well over ten thousand per month.
One thousand theological students are studying the Word of God in the Bible School. They have heard the Master’s call and are preparing for the ministry or the missionary work. Hundreds more are volunteering constantly. Thirty-five missionaries are already out upon the field establishing stations in China, Japan, Africa, India, the Philippines, Panama, South America, the Hawaiian Islands and other fardistant lands, who are supported by Foursquare folk.
The work is spreading with the rapidity of a prairie fire and insistent calls are pouring in from all over the world for Spirit-filled workers.
The Pendulum of the Hour is swinging revivalward!
Once more the old time religion is in demand — the religion which men may truly know and which revolutionizes the heart and life.
If the multitudes that turn out to church and pack national auditoriums everywhere are a criterion, one would say the most popular religion in the world today is the old time religion. The religion with blood, warmth, fire and glory; the religion with animation, spirit, joy, and zest; the religion with bright evangelistic singing, with ringing testimonies, smiles and smiling hearts, and brotherly love; a revival punc-
permeated
tured with nights and days of prayer and not greater,
as grea t, if
with enthusiastic praise is in
ory of the _ demand today than ever before in the hist
world.
some-
Men still hunger for a religion which believes
e from cover thing — a religion which accepts the Bibl God!
ng to cover as the inspired Word of the Livi Gospel They admire the minister who prea ches the
proven, and declares truths which he believes and has explainrather than the minister who spen ds his time
the meat ing just why we of the present age find all prayer, gone from the Word and all the powe r from
and the all the miracles passed into ancient history promises null and void.
Hundreds of letters pour into our desks containi
They ask not for requests for Spirit-filled preachers. gy, ministers who spend their time preaching Psycholowho
Community Uplift, and Social Refo rm, nor those
teach Evolution, Higher Criticism, and Modernis
re and faith -fill ed
but for men and women of since cor-
souls who preach a full Gospel with none of the
ners off.
These calls we are answering as rapidly as possible
with Spirit-filled workers. Others seem to have some
essential lacking in their ministry and are compara-
tively powerless on the field.
Listen for a moment!
Hear the soul-shaking sobs of conviction swelling
in the hearts of penitents in the wake of Peter’s
sermon!
Hear the ery — ‘What shall we do?” — as it em-
anates from the lips of the penitent!
Hear the joyous splash of the baptismal waters as the three thousand are baptized!
And hear once more the ringing, penetrating words of the Master:
“Ye shall receive Power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you!”