The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-05-23

.>o isc -4NI' NNNh %
The lesson really includes the whole
second chapter of Acts describing the
gift of the Holy Spirit and its immcdi-
ate results. The chapter may be stud
led following this brief analysis
!. The Gift of the Spirit..............vs l. 4
?. Effect on Clty's Multitudes. ......vs. 5-l3
3. Peters Sermon:
Ca) Prophecy Fulfilled. .........vs li-2i
lb) Jesus the Christ.............vs G@-36
(c) The Call to Repentance.....vs. $40
4, A Multitude Baptized ............vs 4l-iI
The Gift of the Spirit,-Pcntecost
was the tifticth day after the passover
and one of the three great feasts of
the Jews. 1t has been remarked that
Jewish tradition made PcntccoSt
the anniversary of the giving of the
law from Mount Sinai. 1t may well
have been that upon the anniversary
of the revelation that marked the be-
ginning of the Old Testament dSpcn-
saton, the gift of the Holy Spirit
should mark the beginning of a new
dispcnsation. No longer is it the old
Mosaic law, but the love of Christ,
that constraincth us.
1t is to he noted that the descent Of
the Spirit was made manifest in three
significant symbols. In the Bible The
Spirit is lillened to three things with
out which life would be impossible on
earth: air (or WINDY, fire and water.
The first two of these are mentioned
in our text. The Spirit is like the wind
because it is invisible and powerful,
yet gentle and delicate. 1t is the
breath of life to all things living. ] is
like fire in that it is purifying and gives
comfort and light. Fire worship is one
of the religions of the east, being con-
sidered the source of all life. Water
is not mentioned in the passage, but
the gift of the Spirit is further SYM
bolized in the power "to speak with
other tongues" representing the chief
method of spreading the truths of the
Gospel and its universally. All peo-
pies are to hear it, all peoples, of what
ever nationality, of whatever age, of
whatever experiences, can understand
it, each in their own tongue.
Effect on the City's Multitudes-
Such great power became Immediately
manifest not only among the few, but
among the many. Strangers in Jeru-
salem from far-away nations were
surprised to hear themselves addressed
in their own language. The Jews, not
understanding any but their own lam
guage and seeing the commOtion
caused among the foreigners as well
as their own people, accused the apoS-
ties of being drunk with wine.
Peter Scrmon.-Thc charge Of
drunkenness was out of all keeping
with the facts of the case. Drunken
ness stood then as it stands now for
RIGHTEOUSNESS. The descent of the
Holy Spirit meant directly the oppo-
site; for it came not upon the sclf-in-
dulgent, but upon those who submit
ted themselves to the Divine law Of
love. The Bible speaks of men pos
sessed of demons; maniacs they
were, defying all law, human or Di-
vine. So we have come now to speak
of those upon whom the Spirit of
Christ has come as ''possesscd' of the
Holy Spirit. DcmoniacS and Chris
tians (using both terms in their
strict and dcriyativc as opposed
to their acquired meanings are at
the very opposite spiritual extremes.
Peter became the spokesman of the
followers of Jesus and explained to
the multitude that had gathered %
how the phenomenon was the full
filling of prophecies all the Jews had
long accepted as messages from
God; (2) that it was another proof of
the Messiahship of the Jesus they
had crucified; and (3) that salvation
should thenceforth come only through
faith in the risen Christ.
\ Multitude aptized.-Thc imme-
diate effect of this sermon (really the
effect of the outpouring of the Holy
SpriD was the inquiring Of great
multitude of the way of salvation.
Peter says: Repent and be baptized"
This was the beginning of the Chris
tan church, for thSs it showed its
power to attract to itself the people.
About 5000 were baptized that very
day, "and fear came upon every soul;
and many wonders and signs were done
by the apostles"