The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 115

days of Jesus' flesh. And it must be accepted as a certain proof that hie repentance ho.d been <lcep and sincere, 'l'he name of his loving companion and <.lcl brother disciple John is now introduced. But nothing that he may have either said or done is noticed with any particularity as yet. That he did contribute something in both of these sorts, however, is evident fr?m the langu:i-ge of vers. 3 and 11 in this chapter, and vcrs, 1, 13, and 19 of eh. 1v. The continued happy and hearty co-operation of the two ie meantime worthy or notice, and tells its own tale· and if a conjec- ture is to be hazarded at all, none but the most natural need be' repaired to-that John was feeling the quiet and reverent way to a service which he loved with his whole heart, and willingly yielded the precedence to another, Peter, whom he saw ever since the issue of the race of the sacred sepulchre, if not before, to be a born pi~neer. 'l'he really central fact of this portion of Scripture is another sermon from Peter with its occasion so significant and its results so gladdening, Let us notice- ' I. ITS VERY F0R0IBLE TEXT-A MIRAOLE, The days of discoursing on the descrip- tion of what had been were not yet come. Peter founds his discourse on somethin" to which he literally pointed his hearers, saying," Ye see and know" it. Nor has P;ter now the hard task of exciting attention and interest. 'l'hese are abundantly excited. Deeds have gone before words, certain practice has gone before doctrine. The subject is invested with life and reality all round, and Peter undoubtedly has the grand advanlage of speaking to ears that want to listen, because mind and heart are inquiring. Yes, Peter discourses upon the text of a miracle. And it i11 one (1) which is verified within the actual knowledge of those whom he addresses; (2) which is of an undeniably beneficent kind; (3) which is wrought, not on inanimate or unconscious nature, but upon nature both animate and conscious, and yet in addition possessed of reason; (4) which claims some connection evidently with human eye, voice, and hand, namely, those of Peter (vers. 4-7); (5) which nevertheless appears to draw for its deeper potency upon the inspiration of a Name invok~d by that very Peter; (6) which results not merely in some surprising and most wc:1comed physical effect, but in certain spiritual manifestations as well (vers. 8, 9); (7) which derived some additional interest and significance from the very place where it was wrought- at a gate of the temple ; (8) which found its occasion from a prayer for help, but meantime gave help out of all proportion to that which had been asked. Four general observations respecting the miracle as a whole should be made. 1. This miracle is the first recorded as wrought by the apostles in the new Church. 2. It most distinctly professes to be wrought "in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth." 3. It created a widespread interest, and awakened prompt and close scrutiny. 4. It i~ characterized by certain among the whole number of those who considered and investigated it as "a notable miracle," and one which they "could not deny," though with the very best wishes to deny it. II. THE AUDIENCE TO WHOl\l THE BER'MON WAS PREACHED. 1. It is a large and evidently altogether miscellaneous assembly. 2. It is an assembly who immediately look as though they attributed the miracle to " power" or to "holiness,n or both. 3. It is an assembly who, in their wonder, excitement, and probably, also, genuine gratitude, are ready to attribute that "power" and "holiness" to two fellow-men. 4. It is an assembly guarded and col'rected upon this matter without an unnecessary moment'a1 dela;. III THE BER'MON ITSELF, No picture ever brought out more faithfully or forcibly some figure in the landscape, no portrait some feature of countenance, than does this once spoken, now written, sermon bring out forcibly and faithfully certain truths. Note: 1. The grand subject of it, "Jesus Christ" (vers. 13, 18, 20). And (1) the tranecendent relationship belonging to Jesus is with unqualified emphasis now assertetl. He is the II Son of the God of Abrahnm, and oflsaac, and of Jacob.n He is the" Son of the God of our fathers." Before the death of Jesus, Petiir had boldly borne most unequivocal testimony to his own faith in the "Chris.t, the Son of the living God" (Matt. xvi. 17; John vi. 69), and, it may be supposed, to that of his fellow-disciples at the same time, And Peter had been in that act blessed with the great reward of hearing his Lord's own estimate of the special grace bestowed u~n him. 11 Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed 1t unto thee, but mv Father which is in heaven." Be this so, it is equally certain that this "generation.,, 110 THE ACTS OF THE APOS'l'LES. [oH, UL 1-26,