T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
101
March, 1941
He referred to the death of Christ, their Messiah, thus accusing the council of the crime of murder. Next, he referred to the resurrection of Jesus, thus assert ing that God had recognized and re ceived the One whom the council had scorned and rejected. He went on to speak of the presence and power of the risen Lord Jesus, as proved by the man who had been lame, but who, “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (3:6) was made whole. He continued by pointing out that Jesus was the fulfill ment of their own Scriptures, as found in such passages as Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, and others. Finally, he called the attention of the council to the crucified and risen Jesus as being the only means of salvation, asserting that in “none other name” (v. 12) could re demption be obtained. nr. T he O pportunity R ejected (8:13-20)
fies difficult passages of the Word of God and makes the Bible profitable for the believer. The fire may be quenched by lack of fuel, or absence of air, or by some other means, but when it is allowed to burn, it softens and trans forms the believer into the image of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18). Literal fire melts metal until the refiner is able to mold it to any shape. Likewise the Spirit operates in the believer to im part the image of Christ to the life. Moreover, a bit of decorated clay, when introduced to the fire, is hardened and the decoration burned irremovably upon it. In like manner, the Holy Spirit works for the believer, giving the im press of our Lord. Third, He came upon them as with "tongues” (v. 4). This expression implies the power of utter ance. n . T he P ower E xercised (4:8-12) Because of their preaching, the apos tles were arrested and brought before the council to answer charges brought against them. They immediately exer cised their new divinely given power. Peter spoke to the council with bold ness, self-possession, intelligence, and confidence, yet with courtesy, because he was “filled with the Holy Ghost” (v. 8). The theme of his speech was the per son and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1» But Peter and John answered and said unto them, AVhether it he right in the sight of God to hearken unto yon more than unto God, judge ye. SO For we cannot hut speak the things - which we hate seen and heard. LESSON TEXT : Act's 2:1-4; 4:8-S0. GOLDEN TEXT : “ They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:81). DEVOTIONAL READING: Matt. 10:16- 22. Outline and Exposition I. T he P r o m ise F u l f il l e d (2:1-4) ^ a ^HE LORD had promised that the disciples would receive power JL through the Holy Spirit, and the day had now come when that promise was to be fulfilled. The Holy Spirit, who had always been in the world, was to be with the disciples in a new manner, never before experienced; He was to be in them, upon them, and working through them. In this passage, three figures are used to describe the power and opera tion of the Holy Spirit. First, He came upon them as a mighty “wind” (v. 2). The wind blows where and how it will. No human being can control its move ments, but it works for those who obey its laws. It is indispensable; without it, there would be no life or movement. And it is constantly in motion. Second, He came upon them as cloven tongues “like as of fire” (v. 3). It is the fire of the Holy Spirit that illumines and clari
The members of the council were con victed by Peter’s address, but not con verted. They marveled at the boldness, the language, and the work of these “unlearned and ignorant” men (v. ,13). They were unlearned and ignorant, as far as the teaching of recognized schools was concerned. They had been with Jesus, that is, they had been the follow ers of One who also was looked upon as being unlearned and ignorant. Peter’s THE S TORY OF THE CROSS THE . RESURRECTION OF THE HUMAN BODY By NORMAN H. CAMP Henrietta Eleanor Fruen Edited and recommended by • Herbert G. Tovey
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