The Holy Spirit and the Sons of God 73 Pentecost came His peculiar work began in relation to believ ers as sons of God. Even the breathing of Christ upon the disciples on the evening of the day of His resurrection was, in accordance with the many symbolic acts and sayings recorded in the Gospel of John, symbolic of the Mighty Breath of Pentecost, for both the symbol and the reality were asso ciated with the enduement of power for the service which began at Pentecost. Besides, they were told forty days later to tarry in Jerusalem for such enduement, They could not already have received it and yet be told to wait for it. And Thomas was not present on the evening of that breathing. As to other intervals; that in case of the converts on the Day of Pentecost was doubtless for the confirmation of the apostolic authority; that of the Samaritans when Philip preached may be accounted for by remembering the religious feud between Jew and Samaritan which now must be settled for all time and the unity of the Church established. Also seeing “salvation is from the Jews,” the authority of Jewish apostles must be affirmed, for to them Christ had committed the founding of the Church. (Acts 8:14-17.) In regard to Paul, it is evident from the narrative, he knew not the full import of the appearing of Jesus, until Ananias came. The recovery of sight, the forgiveness of sins, the filling of the Holy Spirit, all took place during this interview. He received the Spirit, as was befitting the Apostle to the Gentiles, in a Gentile city, far away from the other apostles, for his apostleship was to be “not from men, neither through a man” (Acts 9:10-19; 22:6-16). But the case of Cornelius proves that no interval at all need exist , for the moment Peter spoke this word, received by faith by Cornelius and those present, the Holy Spirit who knew their hearts fell on them: “To Him give all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive the remission of sins.” Peter intended to say more, but God showed by the sudden outpouring of the Spirit
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