Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v03800

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 8KB | 135 lines

03806
 * The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost. (1-4)
 The apostles speak in divers languages. (5-13) Peter's address
 to the Jews. (14-36) Three thousand souls converted. (37-41) The
 piety and affection of the disciples. (42-47)

 #1-4 We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with
 them there were strifes among the disciples which should be the
 greatest; but now all these strifes were at an end. They had
 prayed more together of late. Would we have the Spirit poured
 out upon us from on high, let us be all of one accord. And
 notwithstanding differences of sentiments and interests, as
 there were among those disciples, let us agree to love one
 another; for where brethren dwell together in unity, there the
 Lord commands his blessing. A rushing mighty wind came with
 great force. This was to signify the powerful influences and
 working of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men, and thereby
 upon the world. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make way for
 his comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind, prepare
 the soul for its soft and gentle gales. There was an appearance
 of something like flaming fire, lighting on every one of them,
 according to John Baptist's saying concerning Christ; He shall
 baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. The Spirit, like
 fire, melts the heart, burns up the dross, and kindles pious and
 devout affections in the soul; in which, as in the fire on the
 altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. They were all
 filled with the Holy Ghost, more than before. They were filled
 with the graces of the Spirit, and more than ever under his
 sanctifying influences; more weaned from this world, and better
 acquainted with the other. They were more filled with the
 comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the love of
 Christ and the hope of heaven: in it all their griefs and fears
 were swallowed up. They were filled with the gifts of the Holy
 Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the furtherance of the
 gospel. They spake, not from previous thought or meditation, but
 as the Spirit gave them utterance.

03810
 #5-13 The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much
 hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments
 whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian
 religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which
 proved that their authority was from God.

03819
 #14-21 Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered
 from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for
 he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account
 of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to
 awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join
 themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture,
 and the fruit of Christ's resurrection and ascension, and proof
 of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake
 with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not
 think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ's scholars never learn
 above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the
 Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey
 them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great
 day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and
 through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the
 Judge of all mankind.

03827
 #22-36 From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto
 them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an
 account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a
 few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of
 wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be
 satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ
 himself glorified, according to an eternal counsel, which could
 not be altered. And as the people's act; in them it was an act
 of awful sin and folly. Christ's resurrection did away the
 reproach of his death; Peter speaks largely upon this. Christ
 was God's Holy One, sanctified and set apart to his service in
 the work of redemption. His death and sufferings should be, not
 to him only, but to all his, the entrance to a blessed life for
 evermore. This event had taken place as foretold, and the
 apostles were witnesses. Nor did the resurrection rest upon this
 alone; Christ had poured upon his disciples the miraculous gifts
 and Divine influences, of which they witnessed the effects.
 Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made known; and we are
 encouraged to expect God's presence, and his favour for
 evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the
 Lord, and the anointed Saviour.

03842
 #37-41 From the first delivery of that Divine message, it
 appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and
 thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither
 Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have
 produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given.
 Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to
 the heart for sin, cannot but feel an inward uneasiness. The
 apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins, and openly to
 avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, by being baptized in
 his name. Thus professing their faith in Him, they would receive
 remission of their sins, and partake of the gifts and graces of
 the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked people, is the only way
 to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins, and
 give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity
 by breaking off from the wicked. We must save ourselves from
 them; which denotes avoiding them with dread and holy fear. By
 God's grace three thousand persons accepted the gospel
 invitation. There can be no doubt that the gift of the Holy
 Ghost, which they all received, and from which no true believer
 has ever been shut out, was that Spirit of adoption, that
 converting, guiding, sanctifying grace, which is bestowed upon
 all the members of the family of our heavenly Father. Repentance
 and remission of sins are still preached to the chief of
 sinners, in the Redeemer's name; still the Holy Spirit seals the
 blessing on the believer's heart; still the encouraging promises
 are to us and our children; and still the blessings are offered
 to all that are afar off.

03847
 #42-47 In these verses we have the history of the truly
 primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy
 indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence.
 They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and
 devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it,
 will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways
 wherein he has appointed us to meet him, and has promised to
 meet us. The greatness of the event raised them above the world,
 and the Holy Ghost filled them with such love, as made every one
 to be to another as to himself, and so made all things common,
 not by destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and
 causing charity. And God who moved them to it, knew that they
 were quickly to be driven from their possessions in Judea. The
 Lord, from day to day, inclined the hearts of more to embrace
 the gospel; not merely professors, but such as were actually
 brought into a state of acceptance with God, being made
 partakers of regenerating grace. Those whom God has designed for
 eternal salvation, shall be effectually brought to Christ, till
 the earth is filled with the knowledge of his glory.