98
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS
The Examination. The Council was a great one. The question before them was, “ By what power— by what Name—was this mira cle done?” The same question which was put to their Lord (Matt. 21:23). “ And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching and said, By what authority doest thou these things? arid who gave thee this authority?” Every believer is authorized to preach (Acts 8 :4). “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” The objection was to the Name in which they preached (Acts 5:28-40). The Reply: Notice the courage of Peter before this great council. He is the man who ran; now the man who can. He was filled with fears; now filled with the Holy Spirit. He was the ignorant fish erman; now the fearless preacher. The kind of face a preacher should have is pictured in (Ezek. 2 :6 ): “ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee and thou dost dwell among scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they bfe a rebellious house.” Peter’s Candor: He does not feat examination for such a good deed (1 Pet. 2:15). “ For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” He has nothing to be ashamed of. If Christians preach and live straight, they need have no fear. Let your words and works command examination and commend your God. Peter’s Confession: “ The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” . The name of Jesus was the name in which the miracle was wrought. It is to be the
inspiration of the life and service of the apostles. It should be ours,— everywhere, always, to honor, magnify and glorify the name of Jesus. It is the Name above every name (Phil. 2 :9). “Wherefore, God also hath highly ex alted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” It is the life-giving Name (John 20: 31). “ But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” It is the Name in which sinners are forgiven (1 John 2:12). i “ I write unto you, little children, be cause your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.” It is the Name by which we are jus tified (1 Cor. 6:11). “ And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” It is the Name into which we are baptized (Acts 10:48). “ And he commanded them to be bap tized in the name of the Lord.” It is the Name in which we pray (John 14:13-16). “ And whatspever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” It is the Name in which we preach (Acts 9:27). “ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the disciples, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken unto him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” It is the Name in which we worship (Matt. 18:2). “ For where two or three are gath ered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” It is the Name for which we are re proached (1 Peter 4:14).
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker