The disciples before Pentecost also had an attitudes  of selfish ambition.. Prompted by her sons desire for supremacy, the mother of James and John appealed to Jesus that each of them have a prominent place in what they believed was His soon earthly kingdoms. “She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21). This request, of course led to jealousy and disunity among the other disciples. They simply were not ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Pentecostal power. This is one of the main reasons why Jesus urged them to spend ten days in praying together in the Upper Room. For unity must  precede the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As the sought God in prayer,the Holy Spirit knit their hearts together in christian love. The Acts account record, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” Acts 1:14) the record continues in  Acts 2:1) ” Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

The disciples discovered that “unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin”  Ellen G White Comments, The Seventh ay Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.5, p 1148).

 

Excerpt from 10 Days in the Upper Room by Mark A. Finley Day 5: Loving Unity pp 46,47