ACTS 2:1 ONE PASSION 1
2 Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come ( 1 Corinthians 10:11). (Selected Messages, bk. 3, p. 338)
3 When needed, warnings are to be given, sins are to be rebuked, errors and wrongs are to be corrected, not only in the pulpit but by personal labor. This is divine work; and although it is not congenial to the natural inclinations, the minister must proclaim the straight truth, which will make the ears of them that hear tingle; he must lay before those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, the dangers and perils that are around them, and the doom that awaits the impenitent. (PH118, p. 5, 1892, Address to ministers)
4 It is not flowery discourses that are needed, not a flood of words without meaning. (Gospel Workers, p. 154)
Daniel Webster gave utterance to these forcible words: If clergymen in our day would return to the simplicity of gospel truth, and preach more to individuals and less to the crowd, there would not be so much complaint of the decline of true religion. Many of the ministers of the present day take their text from St. Paul, and preach from the newspapers. When they do so, I prefer to enjoy my own thoughts, rather than listen. I want my pastor to come to me in the Spirit of the gospel, saying, You are mortal. Your probation is brief, your work must be done speedily... You are hastening to the bar of God. The Judge standeth before the door. (The Review and Herald, June 23, 1891) 5
6 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1) one accord = ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothumadon) comes from two words that mean: being together in like passion.
7 When we want a deep problem to study, let us fix our minds on the most marvelous thing that ever took place in earth or heaven the incarnation of the Son of God. (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 904)
8 Think of Christ s humiliation. He took upon himself fallen, suffering human nature, degraded and defiled by sin. He took our sorrows, bearing our grief and shame. He endured all the temptations wherewith man is beset. He united humanity with divinity: a divine spirit dwelt in a temple of flesh. He united himself with the temple. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, because by so doing he could associate with the sinful, sorrowing sons and daughters of Adam. (The Youth s Instructor, December 20, 1900)
Before we go on with this text [Hebrews 4:15], let me show you what there is in the idea that is in this question. You have it in mind. Was Christ, that holy thing which was born of the virgin Mary, born in sinful flesh? Did you ever hear of the Roman Catholic doctrine of the immaculate conception? And do you know what it is? Some of you possibly have supposed in hearing of it, that it meant that Jesus Christ was born sinless. That is not the Catholic dogma at all. The doctrine of the immaculate conception is that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born sinless. Why? - Ostensibly to magnify Jesus; really the work of the devil to put a wide gulf between Jesus the Saviour of men, and the men whom he came to save, so that one could not pass over to the other. That is all. (General Conference Bulletin, April 22, 1901 p. 404) 9
10 We need to settle, every one of us, whether we are out of the church of Rome or not. There are a great many that have got the marks yet, but I am persuaded of this, that every soul who is here to-night desires to know the way of truth and righteousness. [Congregation: Amen!], and that there is no one here who is unconsciously clinging to the dogmas of the papacy, who does not desire to be freed from them. (General Conference Bulletin, April 22, 1901 p. 404)
Do you not see that the idea that the flesh of Jesus was not like ours (because we know ours is sinful) necessarily involves the idea of the immaculate conception of the virgin Mary? Mind you, in him was no sin, but the mystery of God manifest in the flesh, the marvel of the ages, the wonder of the angels, that thing which even now they desire to understand, and which they can form no just idea of, only as they are taught it by the church, is the perfect manifestation of the life of God in its spotless purity in the midst of sinful flesh. [Congregation: Amen!] O, that is a marvel, is it not? (General Conference Bulletin, April 22, 1901 p. 404) 11
Jesus came to earth to be, not only man s Redeemer, but his great Exemplar. His was a perfect life, a life of meekness, lowliness, purity, and unlimited trust in God. He was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and he taught us practically the great lesson of calm, constant, unwavering confidence in our heavenly Father. He permits temptations, trials, and afflictions to come to his loved ones. They are his providences, visitations of mercy to bring them back when they stray from his side, and give them a deeper sense of his presence and providential care. The peace that passeth understanding is not for those who shrink from trials, from struggles, and from self-denial. We cannot appreciate peace and joy in Christ, and the gift of eternal life, unless we are willing to make every sacrifice to obtain these great blessings. (The Review and Herald, August 12, 1884) 12
Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and exclaimed with His departing breath: It is finished. Satan was then defeated. He knew that his kingdom was lost. Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered: It is finished. The great plan of redemption, which was dependent on the death of Christ, had been thus far carried out. And there was joy in heaven that the sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of God. Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God, and elevated to a life with Him in His mansions in glory. Oh, what is man, that such a price should be paid for his redemption! (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 2, pp. 211, 212) 13
14 Had He not by His death and resurrection opened for us the door of hope, we should have known nothing but the horrors of darkness and the miseries of despair. In our present state, favored and blessed as we are, we cannot realize from what depths we have been rescued. We cannot measure how much deeper our afflictions would have been, how much greater our woes, had not Jesus encircled us with His human arm of sympathy and love, and lifted us up. (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, p. 316)
15 The resurrection of Christ is the assurance of our salvation. He is the source of our life. Because I live, ye shall live also. We have a living Saviour. In this we may all rejoice. Christ is not in Joseph s new tomb, but is our friend at court, pleading in our behalf. Approach your Saviour with full assurance of faith; for He ever liveth to make intercession for you. Upon Him you may depend for comfort and peace. (Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 77)
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17 We are now living in the great day of atonement. (The Great Controversy, p. 489)
18 We are living in the great Day of Atonement, and it is now time that everyone should repent before God, confess his sins, and by living faith rest upon the merit of a crucified and living Saviour. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 224, 225)
19 Grace the hand of God reaching down to man. Faith the hand of man reaching up to God.