Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-01-14
LESSON FOR JANUARY 16
PETERS SERMON AT PENTEcosT.

ActS Z:2l.
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 tvv. 8, 1Ol 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 IL verses.
and the balance in quotations from
Joel, Psalms. etc.
l. The Empowered Witness, w. a.
Sc. % 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 OPS.
2S). This Jesus of whom they have
been speaking had fulfilled this proph-
ecy by mighty deeds ". 22), by hav-
ing risen from the dead ". 23l 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 III Peter L:
1919. (2) Peter asserts that whose
ever believes in Jesus as Lord and
Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah,
shall be saved (vv. 81, 36). (a) He
shall be saved from sin and misery 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 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 fulfillment of
Messianic prophecy.
He was also exalted in the testi-
mony given in all tongues by the en-
powering spirit.
II. The Powerful Result, w. 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 anG 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 renunciatior
| 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, 27).
! (3l Continuance ". 42). Having ac-
/ cepted and confessed Christ, they were
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. 1t is interesting to note
that this communism was among be-
levers ". 44). 1t was for special
occasion, for they had ''tarried at Je-
rusalem" many days, and beyond
doubt had not provided for a long
visit. 1t was according as each had
need" 1t was purely voluntary (5:
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 q
Cor 12). The baptism of the Holy
Spirit or ''the gift of the Holy Ghost
is always dependent upon real re
pentance and is accompanied by re-
mission of sins. This experience is
tie 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 a right (Acts 4:31: 8:
Is, Is; Luke 1113; John 5:14, 15)
By making Jesus Lord and Christ we
shall receive the promise ". 39) which
Peter declared, was for Jewish be
levers, their childreA for coming gen
erations, and "all that are afar off
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
experience 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 i've
(Gal 5:22).
During that apostolic age every new
manifestation of the spirit through it:
accompanying addition to the mum
ber of believers-"The Lord added day
by day those that were saved
many believers; believers were tn,
more added multitudes O
both men and women tn,
word of God increased; a great com
pany of the priests were obedient tt
the faith"
n These and similar references indi
cate the steady and rapid progress o
the Spirit-tilled church.
Peters sermon honors the Scripture
Christ and the holy Spirit. The spiri
can and does use the living wore
in preparing men for the kingdom o
God
1t might be well to ask. is there an,
limit to the promise of verse SO
Are we conscious of the Spirit in on
lives?
Spiritual Power.