The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 348

Goo. He is no respectcr of persons. The conditions of acceptanco in his eigl. t are everywhere and for all men the same, viz. reverence and rightness of moral conduct. Does this imply, it matters not what a man believes, so long as he fears God and does what is right? Certainly, belief is not immediately under the control of the will. But indirectly it 8? far is that we_are bound to keep our m_inds open to the light, and to seek some belief that may guide conduct. 'l'he truth 1s that the reverence and the moral recti~~e spoken of cannot exist apart from the root of faith in a supcrsensual order and D1vme Law, Indifferent ism is not recommended nor excused. But the truth that it is onlY: t~e genuine qualities of the hea.rt, the real disposition of the will, not e:-ternal assoc1at1ons nor advantages of birth, which constitute true worth in God's sight.. .And any other principle of Divine dealing than this would shock the conscienco as UnJUSt. II. RECAl'ITULATION OF THE GOSPEL. 1. It was a good message of peace sent to tho sons of Israel. He says nothing about natural religion and thfl universal conscience, on which St. Paul dwells in the Romans. '!'he gospel is pre-eminently a message by man to man; by a selected people as ministered to the race. It was diffused through the Holy Land, and its substance was well known. 2. Its substance-Jesus: his person, bis sanctified character, and his mighty deeds. His life of perpetual beneficence, his healing of those under the bondage of disease and of ignorance. It was manifest to men that God was with him, setting the seal of power upon his character and deeds. 3. The existence of living witnesses to those truths. The apostles were witnesses of the facts in the physical world on which Christianity was founded. Christian teachers and Christian men now are witnesses of the facts in the moral world which are eternal, and which interpret the physical facts. 4. The death and resurrection of Jesus. The suffering and the triumph of love ; here lies the very kernel of the gospel. This triumphant Christ has been made manifest to chosen witnesses-to his close com- panions and intimate associates during his earthly life. And they have a commission to make proclamation of these truths to the people, and to testify that he is appointed .Judge of the living and the dead. Finally, the gospel has the confirmation of prophecy; and all who believe on him may receive the remission of their sins. Here, then, is a useful summary of the gospeL (1) Peace through Jesus Christ, who has lived, suffered, and risen for men. (2) This is a message to all men, and a call to salvation. (3) Its aim is universal human blessedness.-J. Vers. 44-48.-Descent of the Spirit at Cresarea. Let us notice the following particulars in connection with this visitation : - I. Evxn THE HoLy SPIRIT COMES UPON MEN IN CONNECTION WITH TIIE RECEPTION OF THE TRUTH. So at Pentecost; so here. The falling of the rain from heaven is concurrent with the germination of the seed. It can hardly be said that either is first or second.. Ea.eh is the necessary condition of the other. If we desire to secure the heavenly words, we must preach the Word-" be instant in sea.son and out of season." lI. EVER A NEW REVELATION BRINGS WITH IT ASTONISHMENT AND PERPLEXITY. The believing Jew could not understand this outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the heathen ; nor how they could be found speaking with tongues and glorifying God. To us it seems natural enough that the great purpose of God, the generous germ- thoughts of eternal truth and love, should break forth into larger meaning and wider devdopment. But there is a lesson for us here. We are all slow to see the large consequences of the _truth we hold and tea.eh. It s~prises us, and alas I n?t always with a joyous surpnse, when we find people accepting the consequences of our own doctrines, and proving that they have taken seriously what perhaps we preached with only half a heart. llL LOVE A!,'D TRUTH PREVAIL ALONG WITH EVERY 11.A.NIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. It is Pet,er, the very personification of the Jewish nnd exclusive spirit, who now pleads for the reception of the new converts. Yi' e neve~ undcrs~and a truth till we have striven ao-ainst it. Then we become enthusiasts for 1t when 1t has conquered our own heart a;d intellio-ence. 0 The representative of the "circumcision," that is, of the exclusive or Jewish view of the gospel, is now the very champion, not merely of toleration, but of a free and loving reception of the heathen converts to the fellow- ship of Christ. The case of Peter, like that of Paul, shows buw the be8t advocates al=I, x. 1-48.) THE AOTS OF TIIE APOSTLES. 346