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FRIDAY, Jan. 16. Acts 3:19-26. The Post-resurrection Appeal to Israel. After Peter boldly rebukes his hear ers he becomes conciliatory and encour aging. . He is a Jew, so are they. He assures them that their sins against .their Messiah can be blotted out. If they will repent, times of refreshing shall come and God will send Jesus back again. He is absent only till the time of restitution., These promises are largely Jewish. The hope set forth is not that the hearer may depart and be with Christ but that Christ may re turn and be with him. It answers in a measure the question of Acts 1:6. The Messiah has gone to heaven but he will come again at the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets. This is the old Jewish hope with all its grossness removed. Rom. 11 por trays a future for Israel that has no possible application to the church. SATURDAY, Jan. 17. Mark 11:20-26. The Function of Faith. The attitude of expectant faith on the part of the sick one has much to do with the subsequent healing. Matt. 9:28. Matt. 13:58. Acts 14:9. An atmosphere is created in which it is easy for God to work. Unbelief chills and paralyzes action. We do not sup pose by any means that faith commends the sufferer to God or creates any credit obligating Divine intervention or changing the Divine purpose at any time. It is simply “ man’s weakness waiting upon God.” This is all that man can do or needs to do. “ This is the work of God that ye believe.” Faith gives a challenge to God that He delights to answer. SUNDAY, Jan. 18. Acts 4:8-21. The Boldness of Peter and John. The Sadducees had Peter and John arrested because they taught the peo ple and preached the resurrection ch.
4:2. They could neither ignore nor deny the healing of the lame man. Peter’s preaching was the real griev ance. The Gospel heralds have met their first opposition. It is very mild, however. The first time their Master was arrested He was chained and mocked and killed. God spares them now too great a trial. There are no guards or chains or stocks. These came later when they were better able to bear them. Five thousand believers are mentioned to show that the Apostles’ teaching had not only filled the city but had put a stamp on men which could be seen." Church statistics are of value when they stand for quality in stead of quantity. MONDAY, Jan. 19. Numbers 11:10-16. Origin of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin had its origin in a mistake of Moses. He became discour aged by the burdens laid upon him and made the mistake of asking God to take them away. God permitted him to find seventy men among whom he could di vide his burden but he had to divide his blessing also. This in time became the ^Sanhedrin. Here the conspiracy was organized against Jesus which brought Him to the cross. Had Moses asked for an increase of strength instead of the removal of his burden, it might not have been called into existence. Any choice or act of daily life may have a far-reaching effect for weal or woe. TUESDAY, Jan. 20. Acts 4:5-15. Before the Council. Peter is not abashed in the presence of this august council. He defends him self with such ability as to win the ad miration of his hostile judges. His opening sentence placed the entire council at a disadvantage. He intimates that he was charged not with a crime but with a deed of benevolence. A
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