March 7

Read: Luke 10:17-20

Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

A Blessing For Christians

When the seventy early Christians returned from their preaching mission, our Lord recognized that they were saved men. He said to them, “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” They were already converted men, but a little later Jesus instructed them to tarry until they were endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. Many, if not all, of the seventy were present on the Day of Pentecost. They “were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:1-4). They received the gift of the Holy Spirit after they were converted, as Jesus taught that they should.

God’s revealed Word is the sure foundation upon which all Christian teaching must be based. We believe in entire sanctification as a second definite work of grace for Christian people because that is the way the Bible teaches it. John the Baptist announced, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). Here we see clearly that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a divine work of grace, that it is something more than repentance, and that it comes after the baptism unto repentance.

Lord, as of old at Pentecost Thou didst Thy power display, With cleansing, purifying flame Descend on us today.*

— Charlotte G. Home

*Copyright 1940, renewal, The Rodeheaver Co. Used by permission.