The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the disciples would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give them.

Frelseren vidste, at ingen bevisførelse, hvor logisk den end var, ville kunne smelte hårde hjerter eller trænge gennem verdslighedens og egoismens skal. Han vidste, at hans disciple måtte modtage den himmelske gave; at evangeliet først ville kunne få sin fulde virkning, når det blev forkyndt af hjerter, der brændte, og læber, der var gjort veltalende ved et levende kendskab til ham, som er vejen og sandheden og livet. Den opgave, som var betroet disciplene, ville kræve megen kraft, for ondskabens modstrøm var både dyb og stærk. En årvågen, beslutsom hærfører befalede over mørkets stridskræfter, og Kristi tilhængere kunne kun kæmpe for retfærdighedens sag ved den hjælp, som Gud gennem sin Ånd ville give dem.