Toward The World In Testimony, Conviction, And Regeneration

by W. H. STEWART | Category: The Holy Spirit And His Work | Sept 1952

There are few days which can surpass in importance the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit of which we read in Acts 2- "The day of Pentecost was now come." Types and shadows of the Law were having their fulfilment. The new meal offering of Leviticus 23.15-21, comprising two wave loaves baken with leaven for firstfruits unto the LORD, indicated in type what the Lord was to receive, an offering not composed of Jews only, but also of Gentiles. For, "Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures'" (James 1.18).

It was the eighth Lord's day since the Cross, and the disciples were all together in one place. They were waiting for the promise of the Father, even the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the power for witness-bearing. Suddenly they heard a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues as of fire appeared and sat upon each one of them, and they began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. This caused the multitude to come together, and from the lips of the disciples they heard each in his own language the mighty. works of God.

They were confounded, amazed and perplexed. What a testimony to Israel! "In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers" (1 Corinthians 14.21) God was speaking to them. They witnessed the sign, the power of which some attributed to new wine. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, sought to enlighten such when he said, "This is that which has been spoken by the prophet Joel." "And it shall be in the last days, saith the LORD, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh." Joel's prophecy was having a fulfilment. The Holy Spirit had been poured forth, thereforth it was incumbent that they should give ear to the Spirit's message. God had approved the Man whom they disapproved; He had raised from the dead the One they had crucified, and had glorified Him.

They had been fighting against God; against His Christ; against His Word, and they stand condemned "Brethren," they cried, "What shall we do?" This conviction was surely in keeping with what the Lord Jesus had promised in John 16.7-11 to His disciples. He told them that He would not leave them desolate,. but that He would send them another Comforter, who, when He was come, would convict the world in respect of sin, "because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold Me no more; of judgement, because the Prince of this world bath been judged". The Greek word translated "convict", means also to convince. Through Peter's preaching in the Holy Spirit, those who heard were convinced that Jesus was the Christ and they were convicted of their unbelief. Secondly, they were convinced of Christ's righteousness, for no one having any sin could go to the Father; and they were also convicted of their own unrighteousness. Thirdly, they were convinced that the Devil had been judged for he could not hold the Saviour in death and they were convicted of their own condemned position. Thus deeply convicted they cried, "Brethren, what must we do?"

The blessed Holy Spirit who has come to testify and to convict, has also come to regenerate. The Seed, the Word of God, received by faith by the operation of the Holy Spirit in each one, produces a new creation.

Happily those thousands in Jerusalem received the Word of Salvation, and they obeyed their Lord in baptism. The Lord, who knew their hearts, added them together, and the church in Jerusalem received them. They continued steadfastly in the Apostles' teaching, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. Praise God! The Holy Spirit's work can still be seen in testimony, conviction and regeneration, and we believe that this will go on until the end of this dispensation. The Holy Spirit leads us to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, then to a place among His gathered disciples, namely, in a church of God. The Word of God is true and still applicable, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."

W. H. STEWART | Sept 1952
The Holy Spirit And His Work