THE KING’S BUSINESS
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That is the essential point that the book of the Acts considers. When we read the biographies -of the leaders in the Church of later days we notice a marked difference. Take the matter of the end of the lives of these men of old. With the exception of the first martyr Stephen,'where the end is spoken of at all it is dismissed with a word. Of James it is said simply that he was “killed with a swbrd.” Peter’s end is’not told us at all, and Paul is left in his own hired house, yet a prisoner, in Rome. But when we pick up the biographies of the men of later days their chroniclers enter into details, théir last days are set forth fully and sometimes- even their dying words and the circumstances of their entering into glory are given ùs. Men’s dying words are left by their biographers as a heritage to' those who remain. This is not uttered in any spirit of criticism, though it is a thing that may be easily overworked, and a death-bed scene though it may bè moving is rarely of permanent valu« for creating a permanent impression. But I refer to it by way of comparison and to emphasize the thought that in this book the thing we are really concerned with is not the fate or fortune of men, but the work of Him who was behind the men and who inspired them. As has been pointed out by others, this reference of the book to the activity of Jesus Himself is very évident. Explaining the signs and wonders of the day of Pentecost, Peter says of Jesus : “He hath poured forth this which ye see and hear.” And again “The Lord (Jesus) added to the church daily such as were being saved.” Peter says to Aeneas “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” And so through the entire book, as these deeds are done, Jesus Christ is seen everywhere presént doing these wonders and signs, healing the sick and bringing multitudes to himself. Jesús
Christ is working through signs and wonders and various ways. The men are the instruments by which and through which Jesus Christ does His work. This is all in line with that trait which we mentioned a moment ago, where the fate of the human instruments seems such an indifferent thing. How many of them are merely touched on and then left. Now, as we have said, this was not for the purpose of minimizing or belittling men. It was not to discount the value of services rendered by disciples, but rather in the end to exalt them. But it was all for the purpose of emphasizing one great truth,, that the power that worked among men in Galilee and Judea, “this same Jesus," was He who worked in the churches of Samaria and Macedonia and Rome, and we may add in the churches of Europe and America even till today. The truth of owr Lord’s continuous activity in all the affairs of His kingdom and His Church in all ages is the great truth which this thought emphasizes. Any view of Christianity which makes it merely a great historic faith is lacking in a very real and vital present power. The promise of the Master given to His working disciples, “Lo, I am with you always even to the end,” is more than a mere figure of speech. It is a promise of a real fact. The things that are past are the things that Jesus began to do and to teach, the things that are now present, day by day, and the things to come, are those that He is continuing to do. Now, if this can be made a very real conviction in our hearts, what a sacredness and beauty it will give to the progress of events; and how safe and secure the believer should feel under the guidance of the great Head of the Church. Discouragement may come and doubts may intrude and sometimes even good men despair of the days that lie ahead, but if this thought
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