99
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS “ If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” It is thé Name in which we serve (Col. 3:17). “ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” It is the Name at which every knee shall bow (Phil. 2:10). “ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” It is the only Name1(Acts 4:12). “ Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, where by we must be saved.” “ The corner stone”— of the temple, which God is building (Eph. 2:19, 20). The Jews had cast Him off, and re jected Him, but God had chosen Him (1 Pet. 2 :4). The Church is the build ing of God— the house of God. The supposed defects of this Corner Stone— to the Jews—were that He was meek, lowly, poor, despised, crucified; yet these very things were His glory. (Rom. 1:16.) “ For I am not ashamed of the gos pel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The gist of the testimony of the apostles is found in Acts 10:40-42: “ Him God raised up the third- day and shewed Him openly; “ Not to all the people, but unto wit nesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. “ And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
(3) The Conclusion of the Council, vs. 13-31. The Council convened to convict Peter and John, but the testimony of Peter convicted them. They saw— per ceived— took kno.wledge—beheld. They could say pothing. What could they say? “ They took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.” No higher compliment could be paid. “ Been with Jesus.” Living epistles— read their lives. The greatest of all schools is at Jesus’ feet. Here are two witnesses,— the disci ples and the healed man. These are the witnesses that the world needs. The council could do nothing. So they threatened them; commanded them not to speak any more “ in this Name.” But Peter and John already had their call and command (Luke 24:46-48), so they answer “We cannot but speak.” Not to speak would be to incur penalty (1 Cor. 9:16). Every believer must speak (2 Cor. 4:13). Their triumph: They reported to the brethren. There is no taking counsel of fears. They commenced to magnify God. The action of the rulers was a proof of the fulfillment of Scripture, as spoken by David (vs. 25, 26). Their Prayer: 1. That God would have an eye to the threatening of the Council. 2. That they might have boldness to speak. 3. That he would work with them to magnify the name of Jesus. The one great object,— magnifying Jesus’ name; the one great need,— courage to do the right thing at the right time, in the right way. 4. That God would put His seal upon their testimony. God manifested His approval of the prayer by a three fold answer: 1. He filled them with the Holy Spirit. He had an eye to the Council;
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker