For obvious reasons the New Covenant could not be fully published until the offering of Christ had fulfilled the Scriptures relating to Him; and when the resurrection had declared Him to be the Son of God with power. Although our Lord had often pointed out to His Apostles that in His life and actions He was fulfilling the Scriptures, it is clear they did not fully understand their import until after the Holy Ghost had descended on them on the Day of Pentecost, and opened up to their minds, with a vivid remembrance, and clear sunshine of heavenly light, all that Jesus had said and done, giving to them that wonderful power and energy which they afterwards exhibited, as well as those miraculous gifts of the Spirit which were necessary to confirm their doctrine to others. Thus we read that we ought to give a more earnest heed to the things “which began to _be spoken by the_ LORD, and were confirmed to us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, with signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will” (Heb. ii. 3, 4). Our Lord had, on several occasions, as before observed, taken care to instruct His disciples in the Scriptures which related to Himself; but He did so more explicitly after His resurrection; beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to the _two_ on their way to Emmaus the “things concerning Himself, in all the Scriptures” (Luke xxiv. 27). And when they had returned to Jerusalem, and had related to the eleven (and others with them) what had happened in the way, He stood in their midst, and confirmed their testimony, saying, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms {6} concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day” (Luke xxiv. 44–46). When Jesus sent out His twelve disciples to preach, He said to them,—“He that receiveth _you_ receiveth _Me_, and he that receiveth _Me_ receiveth _Him that sent Me_” (Matt. x. 40), so that in receiving the Apostles’ doctrine and teaching, we receive Christ’s teaching. Also the same principle is set forth in John xiii. 20, “He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me.” 2nd. _As a High Priest_ our Lord is introduced in the most solemn words of prophecy:—“The Lord hath sworn and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Ps. cx. 4, quoted in Heb. vii. 21).