Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-07-14
The First Chrl.tinn Chutch.

The lesson for Sunday. July II, may
be found In Acts 2: 37-47.
INTRODUCTORY.
In the sermon which introduces this
lesson we have q glimpse of how the
Spirit influences man. Peters language
Is swift, sharp, strong. He Is suddenly
transformed into a plain, direct and
fearless preacher OF the gospel. Sim
plicity of utterance, fullness OF scrip
ture thought. grasp Of the central prin-
ciple of the religion of Jesus Christ.
Mark his speech. Is not this the way
the Spirit always expresses hlmself2
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Now when they heard this. Greek:
present particlple, hearing. The very
hearing was pricking.-Pricked or
pierced through, OF sharp conjunction.
Mon and brethren. what shall we
do? In the Greek the order Is reversed:
What shall we do. men and brethrenY
An agonized cry.
Repent. Meaning, a change Of mind
(meta-noeo) BE baptized. AS act
i've a word as repent, signifying per-
sonal acceptance.-In the name OF
Jesus Christ; Greek, upon the name, l. e.,
resting upon the name and character OF
Jesus.-Forthe remission; Greek, into
the remission, 10 be connected with the
word name. which had direct reference
to sins forgiven. l. O., given unto this
end.-The gift of the Holy Ghost, /. o.,
the Holy Ghost as gift (obiective).
The promise. The promise OF the
Holy Ghost. In answer to faith and ODE
dience.-To your children. To the
children or descendants, on the same
grounds as unto them, |. O., Individual.
faith and fealty.-7All that are afar off.
In M hn an
gate, many as the Lord our God
shall call. Modifying the word children
as well as all that are afar off.
Testify. The word means 10 bear SOL
enm witness, as II In deep earnestness.
-Exhort, or beseech. unto
ward generation. Literally, this crook
ed generation.
Gladly received. One word in the
Greek, TO receive heartily or fully
Added. Or gathered in.
They continued steadfastly. The word
means to hold on strongly. Bible Union:
Were constantly attending. Which is
strictly literal. - And fellowship.
Rather. and the fellowship. Not simply
OF the apostles, but OF all.
Fear. In the sense OF reverence.-
Wonders and signs. So producing fear.
Together. Greek: At the same
Common. Belonging equally to all.
| Parted, or divided.-As every man
had need. Or, any man. Supplying
the necessities of the weak.
Continued daily. Same word as in v.
AZ CONTINUED steadfastly .-Glad-
ness, or exultation. The verb means
to celebrate, or praise. .-
Such as should be saved. Greek:
Those that were being saved. So Re-
vision.
| WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Now when they heard this, they were
pricked to the heart. The secret is plain.
Peter preached what he was told to
preach, and he received the reward 1t
was promised such preaching should re-
ceive. Some one has suggested that we
spend an undue amount OF time studying
Gods promises as compared with God s
laws. Fulfill the command and the
blessing will follow, perforce. Here it
Is illustrated. My friend says 10 me,
"Do you catch the key to Peter preach
ing at Pentecost2 It is in this one
put everything else aside and did
precisely what he was enjoined to do
luke "a: AZ, and he got precisely what
was prophesied And the same God
reigneth. In the name OF Jesus Christ
| for the remission of sins. We need TO
be careful in our phrasing. Some peo-
pie seem to be inclined to connect for
the remission of sins with the word be
baptized, 30 implying baptismal regen-
GRAFTON. It is not 80 In the Bible, 1t is
not 80 in fact (see again Luke "a: Az.
1t Is Jesus who Is given for the remission
| of sins; his name includes it-"for he
shall save his people from their Sine.
All we do Is to accept OF that name.
Taking the name OF Jesus upon US by
| voluntary choice, we take all that is
comprehended In the name-a name
that reaches forth and forward unto the
remission Of sins. Take the name;
| trust the name.
They that gladly received his word
were baptized. And 50 some have been
discouraged from going forward in the
Christian life and doctrine because they
were not conscious Of any gladness in
receiving the word. But we may omit
the "gladly;" 1t is not in the original.
1t Is simply. they who fully or readily
received the word. Gladness comes
later. With a clear mind and an open
heart accept the record and obey. Then
comes Joy. But accept, intelligently
and consciously. This one can do at
any moment. Wait, then, for nothing
else. The Spirit is here, appealing and
pleading. Say yea to his testimony
and summons. He has something else
to say to you after that
Next Lesson Tho Lame Man
Healed. Acts 3: lie.