Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Here we have the gracious, arid blissful consequences resulting from the whole, in the powerful operations of God the Holy Ghost, by the instrumentality of Peter's Sermon. Three thousand Souls, savingly converted on the spot, to the knowledge and love of Jesus! What a specimen, in the first fruits of the Holy Ghost's descending, of what in the after harvest the Lord the Spirit would gather in, to the Church of God! And behold, what continued evidences followed, to the compleatness of the work. A stedfast continuing in doctrine; and a continued observance of ordinances. And while those who received the Holy Ghost, in his gifts and graces received all that was needful to their private sanctification; the Apostles received the power of working miracles, in proof of their public ministry. An holy fear came upon all beholders. The most unbounded charity brake out among all the faithful. The temple, or private house; the public assembly, or the private meeting; all resounded with the adorable name of Jesus. And so much of God appeared in all the deportment of those holy men, at this most blessed season, that it was one continued festival. And Jehovah in his threefold character of Person, gave such testimony to the word of his grace, that daily the Lord called his own from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to the living God. Oh! blessed Pentecost of a blessed God! Lord! grant in this latter day of thy Church a renewed Pentecost to manifest thy glory!