For the life and power of the Church is Our Lord’s own life and power, first given at Pentecost with the out-pouring of his Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

St Peter, with his eager, impetuous nature had perhaps found his patience chafing at having to wait, before he could proclaim the Gospel and continue his Master’s Ministry.  But he knew – none better – that unless the Church was founded by God and filled with his personal life, it was as good as dead before it started.  If St Peter and the rest of the Apostles had gone out on their own without waiting for Pentecost, we should not be in this church now.

Gamaliel, the eminent Jewish leader, was shrewd enough to recognise this when he advised the Supreme Council not to attempt to suppress the Apostles.  “…if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin,” he said, “it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them – in that case you may even be found fighting against God!” (NRSV, Acts 5:38,39).