The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 77

God c11.n work with sm11.ll and insignificant instrument11.lity, he summons his people to make greBt efforts, V. 'l'he PLEDGE, PROMISE, AND PROPHEUY of the world's inaathering. Nations shall be born in a day. The wonders of Pentecost may and shall be re~ted, though we should not look for the repetition of the exact mode and form. VI. The wonderful is a preparation in the spiritual world ior the ORDERLY AND BEGULAB, (Ver. 42.) As soon as possible the fruits of great revivals and religious exoitements should be built up into the steadfiet system and abiding fellowship. In the Church God works, as in the natural world. The new and extra.ordinary is brought at once into relation to the continuous line of progressive life. VII. Tm: ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH stand immediately connected with its most vital point. When the spiritual life was freshest and least formalized, baptism and the Lord's Supper were observed. The antidote to sacramentBrianism is not dis- paragement of that which the Lord himself appointed, but the closer identification of the rite with the spiritual grace which gives it reality. The true presence and operation of the Spirit is the remedy for all the evils of the professing Church; making work, prayer, teaching, fellowship, the regular and the extra.ordinary, all alike pure and true and heavenly.-R. Ver. 37.-The sour, question, answered. "Now when they heard this," etc. I. THE TRUE RELIGIOUS AWAKENING. 1. Distinguished from mere egxitement; from educational and conventional preparation for public acknowledgment of Christianity; from an attitude produced by personal influences or circumstances, as a child pressed to call itself a Christian by parental affection, or a member of a congregation almost unconsciously carried forward to a position which has no true and deep feeling to support it. 2. The fruit of preaching, or other setting forth of the facts of the gospel in relation to the individual. The hearers were pricked to the heart, because they felt the application to themselves of the !lpostle's appeal. He did not employ any irregular or even sensational methods; he proclaimed the facts. He said," You are verily guilty; the promise is made unto you." Directness of appeal cannot fail of its effects. 3. The work of a special bestowal of the Spirit. It was intelligent, conscientious, heartfelt, outspoken. There is no intimation of any abnormal manifestations, but simply the calm, earnest question of personal anxiety : "What shall we do? " Spiritual life begins in different ways, but it will always be marked by conviction of sin and acceptance of offered grace. Heart, conscience, life,-all changed. . II. 'l'BE TRUE BEGINNING OF RELIGIOUS LIFE. 1. It is towards God. The inner man recognizing the facts, responding to the appeal, turning the heart from its perversity and selfishness, feeling and acknowledging the greatness of the sin and the danger of condemnation. The tendency to multitudinism is one of the most injurious in modem life. The gathering of masses, not really changed towards God, into the associations of the Church, and so into a state of calm security as to their religious prospects, is a barrier to a. vital, spiritual advancement. Better the Church should not be increased with its thousands, than that they should be mere nominal Christians. 2. It is towards man. They addressed themselves to Peter and the rest of the apostles. Religious life is not a solitary thing, not a mere matter between the soul and God; but between the man and his fellow-man-between the individual believer and the Church of Christ. The questions of the anxious and seeking souls should be drawn out by the Church. Tho Church should present itself to the world in such a way that the questions should be both humbly and affectionately asked. There is an anthority of superior knowledge and experience and tried character which should be able to make itself felt. Yet men should see that we are their brethren, and that love to their souls is our ruling motive. " What shall we do? " Though we often teach men their moral helplessness and nothingness-that Christ has done all-still all true religious life means action ; life must reveal energy, express itself in conscious, steadfast effort. The apostle immediately directed the awakened people to do something for themselves. "~ ~pti~ed ; " " Come out and be separate." While it is possible to press an _Immature re~1g1ous life ~o too ea!lY an acknowledgment, it is well to follow the apostoho precedents, and seal 1mpress1011 and resolve, with decided action and public testimony. We must cas~ ourselves _on God. We are safer in the Church than in the world. Everywhere there 18 temptat10n, but the pledged Christian will have help in his holy vows.-R.  'i2 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [oH. II, 1-47,