The exaltation of Christ and the baptism of the Spirit are two facts which distinguish Christianity and which outshine all others on the day of its birth.
It was reserved, however, for the Apostle Paul to unfold, in its fullness, "the glorious gospel of Christ." (2 Cor. 4:4.) The melody of the glad tidings, which Paul is pleased to call "my gospel," was the proclamation of a Man in the glory.
The Man in the glory is the chief element of "the mystery" which, presented fully in Ephesians and Colossians, completes the Word of God. It filled up the whole circle of Scripture subjects. If he published His humiliation and His passion, he was not content until he presented Jesus as the Man in glory. The Old Testament might speak of His exaltation to the Hill of Zion, but He who as Man could satisfy and glorify God about sin, He would exalt to the highest, brightest place in His universe. Zion's Hill was not high enough for that blessed One who "humbled Himself unto death, even the death of the cross." He must have a place far above all heavens (Eph. 1;4).
First you have Him presented in Scripture in His divine glory as Son of God among men, a deeply blessed truth holding the heart with delight. Then when the cross is past, the grave left and the victory won, the Spirit of God is pleased to dwell on a truth never before named in Scripture—truth which is the outstanding characteristic of Christianity. It is a Man in the glory of God, consequent upon the finished work of the cross where our sins were borne and God glorified.
The Man of Sycar is the center of this bright and blessed scene. How much hangs upon this for His own. The work, in virtue of which He is there, was for us, so we are to be His companions in that glory. Draw the veil and hear Him speaking to His Father, "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory." (See also Heb. 2:10; Rom. 5:2; Rev. 21:9-27.)
Who can read the Acts (a supplement to the gospels, an introduction to the epistles, and a history of the Church in the beginning) without recognizing the presence, indwelling, operation and guidance of the Holy Spirit? That the Spirit wrought in creation and in all dispensations is true as numerous scriptures in the Old and New Testaments witness, but not until a glorified Christ sent Him, had the Spirit come to indwell believers.
It is John, however, who records for us, "This spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:39. In this we see the intimate relation between Jesus being glorified and the Spirit coming. They cannot be separated. We see that at this time the gift of the Spirit was yet future and dependent upon His having His place in glory. Immediately Jesus is up there, the Spirit is down here (Acts 2:33) with and in believers. He had spoken anticipatively in John 14:16,17 saying, "But ye know Him [the Spirit]; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
Acts 2 gives us the fulfillment of this. As "with" them, He fills all the house where they are sitting. As "in" them, they are all filled with the Holy Spirit. Would to God it could be said of all who profess His name: "Ye know Him."
F. C. Blount