In obedience to Christ's command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father--the outpouring of the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were "continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." Luke 24:53. They also met together to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an Advocate at the throne of God. In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, "Whatsoever ye shall 36 ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23, 24. Higher and still higher they extended the hand of faith, with the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34.

I lydighed mod Kristi befaling ventede de i Jerusalem på opfyldelsen af Faderens løfte: udgydelsen af Helligånden. De var ikke ledige, mens de ventede. Beretningen siger, at de var "stadig i helligdommen og priste Gud." Luk. 24,53. De vidste, at de havde en talsmand i Himmelen, en, som talte deres sag for Guds trone. I dyb ærefrygt bøjede de sig i bøn og gentog hans tilsagn: "Hvis I beder Faderen om noget i mit navn, skal han give jer det; bed, så skal I få, for at jeres glæde skal blive fuldkommen." Joh. 23,24. Større og større blev deres tro i denne mægtige forvisning: "Kristus er den, som er død, ja meget mere: som er opstanden, som er ved Guds højre hånd, som også går i forbøn for os." Rom. 8,34.