3. As well as the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ of what else were they to give witness? Luke 24:47
NOTE: ‘Jesus reminded His disciples of the words He had spoken before His death. “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved [was essential for] Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” Christ’s life, His death and resurrection, the prophecies that pointed to these events, the sacredness of the law of God, the mysteries of the plan of salvation, the power of Jesus for the remission of sins, all these they were to make known to the world. “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.” The more abundant impartation of the Holy Spirit did not take place until after Christ’s ascension. But Christ breathed His Spirit upon them to impress them with the fact that without the Holy Spirit they could not fulfil their official duties in connection with the church. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. Only those who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the Christ-life is manifested, are to minister in behalf of the church.’ From Heaven With Love, page 535.
4. Before His death, how had Jesus told His disciples that they were to be witnesses to Him in their preaching? Matthew 24:14, first part; compare Romans 10:15.
NOTE: ‘What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the utmost bounds of the known world.... Under their labours there were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of life, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that had filled their hearts with peace and joy. Hundreds proclaimed the message, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them; and wherever they went, the sick were healed, and the poor had the gospel preached unto them. So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His Spirit.’ Christian Service, page 254.