Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v03850

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 122 lines

03853
 * A lame man healed by Peter and John. (1-11) Peter's address to
 the Jews. (12-26)

 #1-11 The apostles and the first believers attended the temple
 worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been
 led by a Divine direction, to work a miracle on a man above
 forty years old, who had been a cripple from his birth. Peter,
 in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, bade him rise up and walk.
 Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men's
 souls, we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ,
 calling on helpless sinners to arise and walk in the way of
 holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to our souls,
 that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen
 nature, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole!
 With what holy joy and rapture shall we tread the holy courts,
 when God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by his strength!

03864
 #12-18 Observe the difference in the manner of working the
 miracles. Our Lord always spoke as having Almighty power, never
 hesitated to receive the greatest honour that was given to him
 on account of his Divine miracles. But the apostles referred all
 to their Lord, and refused to receive any honour, except as his
 undeserving instruments. This shows that Jesus was one with the
 Father, and co-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they
 were weak, sinful men, and dependent for every thing on Jesus,
 whose power effected the cure. Useful men must be very humble.
 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, give glory.
 Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ. The apostle
 showed the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not
 anger or drive them to despair. Assuredly, those who reject,
 refuse, or deny Christ, do it through ignorance; but this can in
 no case be an excuse.

03871
 #19-21 The absolute necessity of repentance is to be solemnly
 charged upon the consciences of all who desire that their sins
 may be blotted out, and that they may share in the refreshment
 which nothing but a sense of Christ's pardoning love can afford.
 Blessed are those who have felt this. It was not needful for the
 Holy Spirit to make known the times and seasons of these
 dispensations. These subjects are still left obscure. But when
 sinners are convinced of their sins, they will cry to the Lord
 for pardon; and to the penitent, converted, and believing, times
 of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. In a
 state of trial and probation, the glorified Redeemer will be out
 of sight, because we must live by faith in him.

03874
 #22-26 Here is a powerful address to warn the Jews of the
 dreadful consequences of their unbelief, in the very words of
 Moses, their favourite prophet, out of pretended zeal for whom
 they were ready to reject Christianity, and to try to destroy
 it. Christ came into the world to bring a blessing with him. And
 he sent his Spirit to be the great blessing. Christ came to
 bless us, by turning us from our iniquities, and saving us from
 our sins. We, by nature cleave to sin; the design of Divine
 grace is to turn us from it, that we may not only forsake, but
 hate it. Let none think that they can be happy by continuing in
 sin, when God declares that the blessing is in being turned from
 all iniquity. Let none think that they understand or believe the
 gospel, who only seek deliverance from the punishment of sin,
 but do not expect happiness in being delivered from sin itself.
 And let none expect to be turned from their sin, except by
 believing in, and receiving Christ the Son of God, as their
 wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
03879
 * Peter and John imprisoned. (1-4) The apostles boldly testify
 to Christ. (5-14) Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (15-22)
 The believers unite in prayer and praise. (23-31) The holy
 charity of the Christians. (32-37)

 #1-4 The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from
 the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state;
 this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him
 only. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's
 kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is
 everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also. The harmless
 and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often
 been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when
 wicked men have escaped. And to this day instances are not
 wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social prayer, and
 religious conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we
 obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.

03883
 #5-14 Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to
 understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or
 power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had
 crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his
 resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah.
 These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had
 crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is
 given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone
 believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when
 covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men
 shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the
 light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to
 know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the
 followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with
 them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That
 makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises
 them above this world.

03893
 #15-22 All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of
 Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is
 false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed
 to own the true reason; that it testifies against their
 hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a
 just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt
 upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on
 perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by
 Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and
 showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act
 uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the
 fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and
 fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two
 masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve
 neither fully.