Evening star., 1927-05-14
Sunday School Lesson

that the crucifixion was not antago-
nistic to the Messiahship of Jesus and
that their part in it was not excus-
able. He surprised them by the asser-
tion of the Masters resurrection,
quoting from David and interpreting
the passages by an exposition show
ing that 1t clearly referred to His
resurrection and citing the disciples
as witnesses of His resurrection.
Pentecost had given Peter a clear
conception Of the authority and
majesty of the Risen Christ Although
the apostles eyes had not followed
the Lord when He entered into the
glory of His Fathers presence, the
coming of the Holy Spirit had opened
up his mind to the truths of many
portions of the Sacred Scriptures, so
that in his conclusion Peter claimed
that Pentecost itself--''what we now
see and hear"-is the supreme dem.
onstration of his claim that Jesus
was the Christ: for on the friends
of the risen Lord only had been be-
slowed the gift of the Spirit. He
then demanded of ''the whole house
of IsreaP' that they should recognize
the fact, as being proven conclu-
sively, that God did make that same
Jesus, whom they had crucified. both
Lord and Christ
Peters sermon gripped his hearers.
They were convicted by his presenta-
tion of Jesus, as the Messiahship.
They had shared in His crucifixion.
They believed that the One whom
they had helped to nail to the cross
was the Messiah. so they asked of
the preacher, how they could be saved.
u
ment in Peters exhortation for them
to repent, change their mind, ac-
knowledge and obey Christ's COM
mands, assuring them that they and
their children were entitled to the
gifts of the Holy Spirit, whose power
they had witnessed in the disciples,
teaching and winning men with the
gospel. '.Then those who welcomed
his message were baptized and in that
day 5000 souls were added to them.'
Another result of Peters sermon
was a new community composed of
his message were baptized and in that
believers, who continued steadfast ''in
the fellowship, in the breaking of the
bread, and in the prayers" They
were united in the bonds of fraternal
love, that was increased by the teach
ing of the apostles concerning the life,
teachings, ministry and miracles of
the Lord Jesus. They used the Old
Testament to show how the Master
fulfilled its prophecies in connection
with His words and work, that they
had witnessed
The word translated fellowship
comes from root which means literally
Sharing In common" The fellow
ship of the early church was de-
veioped by constant intercourse with
one another concerning their progress
in the spiritual life. 1t made them
interested in the welfare of each other.
They contributed to relief fund,
that helped to relieve any one of their
number in distress. In the breaking
of bread, we have no doubt a refer
enee to the communion, Lords Sup
per, or Eucharist, that is observed
by modern Christians. This commu-
nifty of life, fellowship and possessions
was built up by the observance of the
''breaking of bread and of prayers"
The early church found in united
prayers a spiritual power, that gave
them the Holy Spirit and fitted them
by faith for His service.
Peters preaching at Pentecost
brought the new community into
being, because he was filed with the
Holy Spirit. Preaching without the
Spirit is never effective. The church
grew because they were all filled with
the Spirit and were obedient to His
leadership. Peace, progress, and pros
perity depend upon the followers of
Jesus remaining steadfast to "the
teachings of the apostles, in the fell
lowship, in the breaking of bread, and
prayers" The Holy Spirit is waiting
today to demonstrate what He can do
with united and consecrated COM
munity of believers, who will at all
times and in all places, prove their
loyalty to Christ by following the
leadership of the Holy Spirit, who at
Pentecost ame}to reveal the power of
the Lord Jesus to His waiting hand
OF followers. His presence and power
will be conferred upon all today, as
nav the Drica. aI