Latter Rain
123
The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men
and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners
to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy,
they came close together in Christian fellowship.—
The Acts of the
Apostles, 35-37
(1911).
It was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they
were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured
out.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:20
(1904).
The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the
beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result.
To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true
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church.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 54, 55
(1911).
Consequences of the Early Rain at Pentecost
Under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession
mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven.... Thousands were
converted in a day....
The Holy Spirit ... enabled them to speak with fluency languages
with which they had heretofore been unacquainted.... The Holy Spirit
did for them that which they could not have accomplished for them-
selves in a lifetime.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 38-40
(1911).
Their hearts were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep,
so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth,
testifying to the power of Christ.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 46
(1911).
What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of
Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the
uttermost parts of the inhabited world.... The church beheld converts
flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted....
The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s
character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom.—
The Acts
of the Apostles, 48
(1911).
The Promise of the Latter Rain
The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was “the
former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be
[186]
more abundant.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:21
(1904).