THE K I NG ' S BUS I NESS
III
March, 1938
event which surprised God, nor one for which God was unprepared. The “ deter minate counsel” (v. 23) refers to the decree of God by which Jesus of Nazareth should die for the sin of the world. The “ foreknowledge” refers to the knowledge God had of what would occur. Christ’s death was in fulfillment of God’s decree, whatever man might do or not do, and the manner of His death, “ by wicked hands,” was foreknown and foretold by God. But the guilt of the crime rested upon man. However, even though man did slay Him, it was not possible that death should fiold its victim. God raised Him up, having loosed the pangs of death (v. 24). This is the victory that is remembered with grati tude at Easter time. Just as certainly as Jesus was raised, so all men will be raised. Every human being who dies must have part either in the first or the second resur rection. If unsaved persons understood what resurrection will mean for them, East er would become a day of mourning instead of one of joy. The brightest day for all the saved will be their resurrection day; the darkest day for all the unsaved will be their resurrection day. For the former it will mean entering into full redemption, while for the latter it will mean entering into eternal darkness. The writer of these notes prays that no teacher of any Sunday- school class will allow this opportunity to pass without presenting once more -the gospel of salvation to every member of the class, urging individual acceptance of the “ good news,” lest the resurrection day shall bring to his pupils darkness and despair rather than glory and gladness. II. T he P rophecy (25-32) In the words of David in Psalm 16 (quoted here by Peter), Jesus of Nazareth was speaking, prophetically. The secret of Christ’s life on earth was that He had “ set the Lord [Jehovah] always before” H im ; He had the Lord always at His right hand, and because of this He could say that He “ should not be moved” (v. 25). Noth ing mattered to Him except the winning of the approval of the Father. Because of such a secret, He could face His shameful death and His burial in the tomb with full assurance. He could say with confidence: “ Moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (vs. 26, 27). There would be no meaning to such words if Jesus of Nazareth did not literally rise from the dead in a physical body; corporeity plainly is implied. Only in the Lord Jesus Christ could there be fulfillment of the words of the prophets (vs. 28-32). Until the Lord Jesus ascended unto His Father (John 20:17), there was no Man in the glory. It is no astonishing thing to find God in the presence of God, but to find a Man in the presence of God is quite another thing, especially as that Man is our Representative, and where He is we one day shall be.
III. T he C onsequence (33-36)
A command of effective | English gives you added [ advantages and better op- 1
Having passed through death and resur rection, Jesus of Nazareth was exalted “ by the right hand of God.” This, of course, involved His literal, bodily ascension to that exalted place. There He “ received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost” (v. 33), which He poured out—with the marvelous results described in the former portion of this chapter. We should remem ber that here there is no mention of the Body of Christ, nor of the heavenly hope, nor of other matters connected with the church; all this truth was to be revealed later. Peter’s exhortation was a national message to the Jews concerning their Mes siah, who was Jesus of Nazareth. This Jesus of Nazareth is now seated on the right hand of God waiting until His enemies be made the footstool of His feet (vs. 34, 35). This occurrence also had been foretold by the Old Testament proph ets, and the Jews should have understood the fulfillment if they really had believed their Scriptures as they professed to do. The message was given that “ all the house of Israel” should “ know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (v. 36). This is the message which was rejected by the nation, although it was ac cepted by certain individuals in the nation. These individuals became members of the church, the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit poured out on the day of Pentecost. The nation was told that the despised and rejected Jesus of Nazareth had been made, in spite of their crucifixion of Him, both Lord and Christ. The guilt of His death was upon them, and they must answer for their crime. Points and Problems Since Peter’s sermon on Pentecost was the first sermon ever preached by the new-born church, it may be presumed that we have here a safe model for all other sermons. Tw o things should be noted: First, its cen tral theme was the Lord Jesus Christ, and second, its method was primarily doctrinal. Now consider what he preached: 1. He preached the Humanity of Christ, beginning with “Jesus of Nazareth, a man” (Acts 2:22). The logical approach would have been to begin with His diety. But Peter uses the historical, which is better. 2. He preached the Sinlessness of Christ. Although rejected of men, Jesus Christ was “ approved of G od” (v. 22). In witness thereof, Peter points to His works, His res urrection, and His ascension into heaven. 3. He preached the Supernatural Works of Christ: “miracles and wonders and signs” (v. 22), as historical facts so well known even to His enemies that it was impossible successfully to deny them. 4. He preached the Death of Christ, de claring it to be an event predestined on the part of a sovereign God, yet asserting on the other hand the complete moral respon sibility of those who put Him to death; and he makes no attempt to reconcile the two in human reason, except to place pre- \Continued on page 114]
portunities. PoorEnglishhandicapsyonmorethan you willeverrealize. You can improveyourEnglishthrough Sherwin Cody's 100% self-correcting invention. If you are ever embarrassed by mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or pronunciation, this new free book “ How You Can Master Good English in 15 Minutes a Day’’ will prove a revelation to you. Send for it now. It is free. Address S H E R W I N C O D Y S C H O O L O F E N G L I S H 733 Searle Building Rochester, N. Y. For fca & i& Jl Giving The “ PERSONALIZED” Approach makes the printed page effective in soul-winning or in encouraging Christians NORMAN B. HARRISON brings the new “ Dime” Series o f beautifully printed, simple and fragrant devotional messages: Booklet 1— “ Belonging” (to a Person) Other recent publications by Dr. Harrison: The Way of Life—A remarkable 14-page pamphlet for the inquirer and new convert. In 2 styles: Fine art: 10c each; $l.per dozen. Plain: 5c for 2; 25c a dozen; $2 per 100. The Gospel o f John—A new study book with diagrams and outlines for Bible classes and individual study: 25c each; 5 for $1. THE HARRISON SERVICE Bloomington-Lake Sta., Minneapolis, Minn. Booklet 2— “ Pleasing” (a Person) 10c each; $1 a dozen; $7 a 100. Assorted; Postpaid
^THOUSAND BLOOMS ____ 0
f Profusion of blooms from a single pkg. . . . rGlorious colors. Blossoms until late Fall, k in g OF ALLCARNATIONS. Easyto grow. Giant Double Flowers . . . Double value. Send lO e for 3 big pkts. New 1938 Catalog FR E E GOOD LUCK GARDENS DEPT. 105 PARADISE, PENNA.
l FREC
Representatives Wanted! If you are desirous of earning more than the average income for ’38, get in touch with me at once. My proposition offers unusual opportunity in the religious field for men or women, where the work is delightful and remuner ative. Place your application now. Address: Manager, Dept. A E. V. PUBLISHING HOUSE 301-305 No. Elm St. Nappanee, Indiana "T h e Return of Christ” Bible prophecy fulfilled. Genesis to Revelation, compre hensive chart. Size 11" x 17". Price each 10c postpaid. "T r e e of Life” Adam to the Children of Israel, very interesting. Chron ological chart, size 11" x 17". Price each 10c postpaid.
THE DIVIN ITY-PUBLISHER 4213 Cleveland Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
Renew your subscription now!
E IÉKNÜ R SE MAKE $25-$35 A WEEK You can learn practical nursing at home in spare time. Course endorsed r by physicians. Thousands of gradu ates. 39th year. One graduate has charge of 10-bed hospital. Another
saved $400 while learning. Equipment included. Men and women 18 to 60. High School not required. Easy tuition payments. Write now. CHICAGO SCHOOL OF NURSING Dept. 523, 100 East Ohio Street, Chicago, III. Please send free booklet and 16 sample lesson pages. Name ________ __________________ __ ___ _ _ City— ______________ state_____ _____ _ ~Age— I S .
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker