Middletown transcript., 1916-01-15
LESSON FOR JANUARY is
PETERS SERMON AT PENTEcosT
LESSON TEXT-Acts e::14-47.

on the name of the Lord shall be saved
Acts 2:21.
Comparing verse one (R. W with
the last clause of verse Is, we con-
clude that this was one early morning
prayer meeting which drew a crowd.
In this crowd wv. 9, 1O) and on this
occasion we see in miniature the
evangelism Of the world. What Peter
hoped to accomplish is an interesting
speculation and is answered by his
manner and mode of testimony. His
famous sermon consists of II verses,
and the balance in quotations from
Joel, Psalms, etc.
l. The Empowered Witness, w. H.
So. ~ Peter testified that Jesus is
alive (a) These men, speaking by
the power Of the Spirit, are not drunk
en-, but are speaking in soberness of
a great fact. (b) This that they hear
is that" prophecied by Joel (2;28,
2S). This Jesus of whom they have
been speaking had fulfilled this proph-
ecy by mighty deeds w. 22), by hav-
ing risen from the dead ". 23) and
of this the disciples were all witnesses
". 32); he had also been exalted"
". 33), and his glory Peter had wit
messed upon the mount (II Peter l:
1919. (2) Peter asserts that whose
ever believes in Jesus as Lord and
Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah,
shall be saved wv. 81, 36). (a) He
hoI hn oiT1 nd in
this world; (b) saved unto life eter-
nal; (c) he shall receive this same
power the disciples had received. Pc
ter's witnessing is the same as Jesus
has a right to expect of us, the testi-
mony of personal experience, backed
up by the word of God. Jesus was in
dorsed by his miracles, the testimony
of those who had seen him as the
risen Lord and by his fulfllment of
Messianic prophecy.
He was also exalted in the testi-
mOny given in all tongues by the en-
powering spirit.
u. The Powerful Result, wv. 37-42.
The truth Of Peters words was car
ried home by the Holy Spirit produc-
ing deep conviction of sin. % Con-
version. The question of verse 81
was a result. They had seen the
place of Jesus in the plan of prophecy
of God. They saw the boldness of
these disciples and they also saw
their sin. (2) Confession. Peters an
swer to their question was plain and
simple. (a) Repent" i. e., change
their minds and their attitude towards
Jesus. from that which had caused
his crucifixiOn, to one Of absolute sur
render, of repentance and remuneration
of sin; the surrender of the will to
Jesus as Lord. ~ BE baptized"
Outward water baptism is involved,
but it is the symbol of the inward
change of heart, of the remuneration
of sin, death to self rom. 6:4) and
the putting on of Christ (Gal. 1926, 2O.
80 Continuance ". 42). Having ac-
cepted and confessed Christ, they we're
to teach others, to have fellowship
with believers in prayer and in break
ing of bread, to continue lin the way"
III. Added Evidence of Power, w.
43-47 This passage is not brief for
communism. It is interesting to note
that this communism was among be-
levers ". 44). 1t was for special
occasion, for they had ''tarrfed at Je-
rusalem" many days, and beyond
doubt had not provided for a long
visit 1t was according as each had
need" It was purely voluntary Is:
4, 81. The Holy Spirit, however, does
bring unity and altruism among be-
levers which expresses itself in social
relations and service. There is a
difference between the gift of the Holy
Spirit and the Holy Spirits gifts Il
Cor. 12). The baptism of the Holy
Spirit or "the gift of the Holy Ghost
is always dependent upon real re-
oentance and is accompanied by re-
mission of SINS This experience is
the blood-bought right of every be-
lever in the Lord Jesus Christ. To
receive" is to take or to claim, and
by simple prayer and faith that to
which we have right (Acts 4:31; 8:
Is, 16; Luke 11:13; 1 John 5:14, 15).
BY making Jesus Lord and CA-ist we
shall receive the promise ". 39) which,
Peter declared, was for Jewish be-
levers, their children for coming gen.
erations, and "all that are afar on,
even as many as the Lord our God
shall CALL" i. e., gentiles Of every
coming century.
In other words, Pentecost was but
an episode which ushered in an age,
the age of the Holy Spirit, and he
is for every child of God, Jewish and
gentle, in every age and in every
church
The result is not necessarily some
spectacular demonstration; there was
none with Timothy or with Lydia, but
the individual must enter into the
alone. Believers who have
thus been baptized will find fellowship
with other believers, will have power
in testimony and will produce results
upon the community in which they live |
(Gal. 5:22).
During that apostolic age every new
u IHo SPALlI IAAOu6h ITO
addition to the num-
Der of believers-"The Lord added day |
by day those that were saved /
many believers; believers were the |
more added multitudes of |
both men and women the !
word of God increased; great COM
pany of the priests were obedient to
the faith"
These and similar references indi-
cate the steady and rapid progress of |
the Spirit-filled church.
Peters sermon honors the Scripture, |
Christ and the Holy Spirit. The spirit |
onn and does 11Sa the living word |