Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-04
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

that one could easily detect a complete
change in the personality and charac-
ter Of the apostle. He made an ex-
temporaneous defense Of Christianity
that was largely based upon the Scrip
ture that he claimed was fulfilled in
the gift Of the Holy Spirit.
Peters argument was threefold one
to prove conclusively to the vast crowd
Of Jewish hearers who had been at
tracted by the demonstration OF the
Holy Spirits presence. He contended
that Jesus was proved to be the Mes
siah by His works, by His resurrection
and by the outpouring OF the Holy
Spirit. He cited Davidic authority and
made an exposition Of the Old Testa-
ment teachings concerning the Holy
Spirit and the disciples testimony that
was a metaphysical masterpiece. The
only explanation of Peters sermon, that
was free from any of the pitfalls OF the
novice, was the power of the Holy Spirit
who guided the apostle in making his
defense of the early church.
Peters message. has come down
through the centuries in the Scriptures
and through the lips Of many thousand
preachers. I'VE are Of the all flesh
on whom God has not only promised
to pour out His Spirit but Is doing It;
and calling on the Lord Jesus for
salvation, we may plead on our own
behalf His ancient whatsoever" He is
still reigning on high anxiously waiting
to save all who call upon Him. Peters
words went home because he was
filled with the Holy Spirit, who con-
victed men Of their sins and revealed
to them Jesus as the Savior Of the
they should do to be saved.
Three Thousand Converts.
Not less than 5000 accepted Christ
Jesus as their Lord and Savior. for that
number were baptized in accordance
with Christ's commands. having salts
fed the early church that they had
repented of their Sins and desired to
publicly acknowledge theif faith In
Jesus as their Messianic King. Such
large number being added to the
newly formed body Of Christian be-
levers threatened their unity. Victory
came because in obedience to Christ's
commands. the group Of 100 waited
upon God in prayer seeking to be filled
with the Holy Spirit. If we are to be
conqueripg the world for Him, we must
seek to. be filled with power from on
high to be used in testifying for Jesus
The danger of the young church's
character being changed by such a
large ingathering was prevented by the
apostles teaching the members the
truths that they had personally learned
from Christ. They explained to them
how the Lord Jesus fulfilled the Old
Testament Scriptures, especially the
prophecies concerning Christ's birth,
His public ministry and messages.
Their faith was quickened by their OBJ
servance of the breaking of the bread,
which kept fresh in their minds what
they individually owed to Jesus as
their Savior. Their spiritual life was
developed by their observance of the
prayer life Of the church. Every soul
connected with the church shared with
those needing assistance, so that the
Lord kept adding to them daily those
that were being saved through the
presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Our hope for the stability and success
of all our Christian efforts depends
upon our being filled with the Holy
Spirit.