The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-02-09

E. Golden Text-Then Peter said
unto them, Repent, and be bap-
tized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the re-
mission of sins, and We shall re-
ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost
| (Acts 2:38).
The story of Pentecost records
the coming of the Comforter, the
marvel of the multitude, the
preaching of Peter, the cry OF
conviction, the baptism of the
three thousand and the growth OF
the church at Jerusalem.
/ Pentecost. The Holy Spirit de-
scended on the day of Pentecost
which was a week of weeks after
Passover and celebrated the CIV
ing of the Law at Sinai. He came
upon the disciples who for ten
DAYS had, been holding prayer
meetings, probably in the sacred
IJpper Room, and were patiently
waiting for the promised SPIRIT TO
come. His sudden coming was with
the sound of hurricane without
the sweep of the gale, for it was
the sound, not the wind, that fill
cd the house. After the noise of
the tempest came the flash of
fire like sheet which, separating
into tongue-like flames. rested UNI
consuming upon each of the dis
ciples. The Spirit took such COM
plete possession of them that they
thought and talked and wrought
under his holy impulse.
Power. The Holy Spirits power
enabled the disciples, though un-
lettered, to deliver the gospel mes
sage that day in the leading YER
naculars of the world. The So
iourners then in Jerusalem out OF
many nations and apparently
awaiting the Messiah, formed a
ripe field for the gospel sickle. The
miscellaneous multitude that soon
congregated was utterly amazed
and COMPOUNDED when in their di-
verse languages persian, Chal-
daic, Aramaic, Coptic, Arabic,
Latin. and Greek, with numerous
dialects) they heard the burning
words of that group of Galilean
peasants. But while the multitude
maryeled, there were certain Gym
les who curled the lip of scorn and
mockingly attributed the marvel
not to inspiration, but to intoxl-
cation.
Peter. The chosen speaker that
day was Peter, the recognized
leader of the Apostles. He was a
devout disciple of Jesus, though
far from perfect; man of pray
! err; a searcher of Scripture, as his
sermon showed; and full Of the
Spirit. He appeared at the right
moment when interest was run
ming high over the miracle of the
tongues. He stock up so that all
could hear. In his opening words
he addressed his hearers court
eously and directly; promised
them the information they need
ed; challenged and chained their
attention.
l. THE SAVIOUR
! (Acts z; 22-2S, 36)
The Gospel message centered
directly and exclusively upon
Jesus of Nazareth as the redeem
ing, risen and reigning Messiah.
Note how Peter. touches success
siyely upon his humanity, "a
man.; his Messiahship, approved
of God"; his miracles; his mani
festation, Gin the midst Of YOU;
his submission to his enemies &C
cording to divine foreknowledge;
his unlawful crucifixion by the
lawless; his resurrection, as David
prophesied; his appearance to
credible witnesses; his exaltation
on High; his bestowal of the Holy
Spirit; his mediatorial reign as
Lord and Christ. Let all Israel
know it! .....
2. THE SALVATION
(Acts 2: 37-40)
The Gospel requirement was
strongly stated to those in the
throne who heard, felt deep con-
viction, called for guidance, and
implied readiness to obey. Alike
to those who crucified Jesus and
those who simply declined his
atonement, the unvarying, inexor-
able mandate comes: Repent!
Turn from sin; turn to the Sa-
viour; Afterward comes baptism,
showing obedience and symbolic
ing remission of sins; the gift of
the Holy Spirit as our Guide and
Comforter; then the living of a
white and useful life amid the
perversities of the age.
3. THE SAVED
(Aets 2: 41)
The Gospel church is exempli-
fed in the primitive congregation
at Jerusalem which numbered
about one hundred and twenty In
Guiding the eleven Apostles. 1t
was a waiting, united, praying
Bable-reading, and now Spirit
filled, witnessing, drawing church.
Notice four things about member
ship in it: (1) Regeneration be-
fore membership, for it was nee
essary first to receive and heed
the word as to repentance and
faith; (2) baptism into member
ship. for the ten principal pools
of the CITY were more than ample
for the baptism of the 5000 con-
verts by the eleven Apostles in
less than a day; s(3l duties of
membership, which include unwav-
ering loyalty to New Testament
teaching, steadfast fellowship in
service, strict observance of the
Lords Supper, and faithful main
tenance of worship; and {4)
growth in membership as shown
L. A. holu aua they Sharad ood