Acts 2 We have here the history of the first Christian revival. Let us trace it through, and mark at once its origin and its characteristics. I. It was ushered in by prayer. Like true children of God, these first disciples waited and prayed, asking evermore, that they might receive the Holy Ghost... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:1 Pentecost I. The congregation in that upper room was the representative, or, as it were, the seed-germ, of the whole Catholic Church of all the centuries and of every land. For a symbol of this, its world-wide significance, the little Church rehearsed the praises of redemption in all the t... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:2 , ACTS 2:17 _(with John 2:20)_ The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit I. A rushing mighty wind. In this symbol we have set forth the highest work of the Spirit the communication of a new and supernatural life. In this sign lies the thought of a life (1) derived, (2) kindred with the life bes... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:2 The Christian's Interest in the Day of Pentecost I. At the day of Pentecost a new era did manifestly break upon the world; not an era during which human reason was to be more vast than it had been, but one during which there was to be a supernatural ascendancy, such as had not been vouchsa... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:4 The Birthday of the Church I. In histories of this kind we are always under a temptation to seize upon the most extraordinary feature of the story to take that as the essence of the whole. Thus the popular idea of Whit-Sunday is that it commemorates the gift of languages to the Apostles,... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:7 I. There are but two postulates necessary to the faith of Pentecost, or Whitsuntide: the first, God is Almighty; and the second, Christianity is of God. Given these two principles, all is intelligible. The new Gospel was a word, was a message, was a testimony, was a proclamation; these wer... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:14 The first Gospel Sermon There are four links in St. Peter's chain of evidence. The first two, lying within the knowledge of his hearers, are briefly handled; the last two, being facts lying outside their observation, are confirmed at length by Scripture and living testimony. I. God's ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:2 , ACTS 2:17 _(with John 2:20)_ The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit I. A rushing mighty wind. In this symbol we have set forth the highest work of the Spirit the communication of a new and supernatural life. In this sign lies the thought of a life (1) derived, (2) kindred with the life bes... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:20 , ACTS 2:32 The first Christian Apology I. The audience which St. Peter addressed were familiar with the main outlines of Jesus' life as recent and notorious events. We assume them also. For the truth of the theory that Christ was God the Church offers one test-proof the resurrection. Vir... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:24 St. Peter says Christ was raised from the dead because it was not possible that He should be holden of death. Let us consider what were the reasons for this Divine impossibility. I. First, we find the reason which lay nearest to his conclusion, and which was intended to convince his hear... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:20 , ACTS 2:32 The first Christian Apology I. The audience which St. Peter addressed were familiar with the main outlines of Jesus' life as recent and notorious events. We assume them also. For the truth of the theory that Christ was God the Church offers one test-proof the resurrection. Vir... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:36 I. The name of Jesus is the name of the Man, which tells us of a Brother. II. The second name, Christ, is the name of office, and brings to us a Redeemer. III. The Lord is the name of dignity, and brings before us the King. A. Maclaren, _A Year's Ministry,_1st series, p. 275. Referenc... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:37 The First Christian Baptism I. The double condition of baptism is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (1) Repentance, or the resolute turning and changing of the life, to face right round, away from old sin towards new holiness, was the one demand of John, the first baptizer. Yet even t... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:39 The Meaning of the Gift of Tongues I. What is the truth to which this gift was the index, of which it was the pledge? Consider the narrative in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and see whether it does not tell us. On a set of poor men, trained to a mechanical calling, despi... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:40 It can scarcely be denied that our age is distinguished by peculiar advantages. If I am asked to name the most prominent feature of our days, I at once single out the enjoyment by every one of so much personal freedom. I. The outcome of this freedom is the unprecedented activity which ch... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:41 St. Peter's Pentecostal Sermon Consider the several points noted in the text, as showing the result of St. Peter's sermon. I. In the first place, the persons who had been baptized, and so added to the Church, remained in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship; that is, they joined themsel... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:46 The Daily Service a Law in God's Kingdom We have here the very remarkable fact that the Apostles and the whole Church of Christ still continued, after the day of Pentecost, to attend the daily services of the temple. There was nothing contrariant between God's elder and later dispensatio... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 2:47 (R.V.) A pure Church an Increasing Church Notice here: I. The profound conception which the writer had of the present action of the ascended Christ. _He_adds to the Church, not _we_not our preaching, not our eloquence, our fervour, our efforts; these may be the weapons in His hands, but... [ Continue Reading ]