The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 351

Ver. 38.-The great PliilanthropiBt. "Who went about doing good." The true criterion by which Christianity must be tried is its adaptation to the world's necessities. 'l'he text of Pater's sermon was Jesus Christ. "We are witnesses" of what he was what he did, how God testified his authority. ' I. 'l'rm WORLD'S GllEAT WANT, 1. Deeds, not words. Failure of all mere human schemes of philanthropy. 2. A benevolence working from a spiritual basis. External reform insufficient. 3. Universality. "All the ends of the earth shall see this salvation." 4. A pcnnanent motive to philanthropy. National, legisiative, IJersonai ellorts apt to die out. II. 'l'1rn WORLD'S GREAT RESOtmCE, 1. Philanthropy springing out of religion. The deepest springs of humanit_y touched. The lowest and highest unitcu together. Reverencu fur the weak a truly Christian sentiment; absent from all heathenism. DestroyeJ. by science unless gnarJ.cd by higher motive. 2. A Divine hope at the root of all effort, 'l'he kingdom of heaven was what Jesus proclaimed. Not relief merely, but restoration. 3. A pe,fect Example. The chamcter of Christ acknowledged even by opponents to be unique. Its influence on his disciples inexhaustible. The method ot' Jesus a great guiding fact-" he weat about doing good," not waiting for organization, or merely presiding over others, or sitting on an inaccessible throne of dignity, but doing the work by personal, individual ministration. Ill. TrrE TOUCHSTONE OF TRUTH. 1. Apply it to the claims of rival reli~ions. "Doing good." 2. Apply it to the prevalent tendencies of modem society. Philo- sophical scepticism. Socialistic expeiiments. Rationalistic criticism. Lowering Christianity to a mere republication of morality. 3. Apply it to individuals. .Are we treading in the footsteps of Jesus as he went about doing good? Is there an impelling motive, a generous self-sacrifice, a single-minded simplicity in us, like his ?-R. Ver. 42.-The Saviour's charge to his ministers. "He commanded us to !)Teach unto the people." No secrets in the Chri~tian religion. Apostles witnesses for the sake of others. The key opened the door, and then was flung away. Baptism of the lloly Ghost !)receded the universal message. I. THE DIVINEST WORK OF Goo's PEOPLE-TO PREACH, 1. The grer.tness of the work rests upon the greatness of the necessity. Teaching can never be di,penseu wit!J. The root of a. true faith is knowledge. Popular ignorance immeasurn.ble. 2. No ritualistic display can supersede preaching. Nor is uevotion the whole of worship . .As a moral force, Christianity must be preached to men, both conscience and heart. 3. Preaching is the most simple and pure channel of connection from soul to soul. 'l'he Spirit flows through the Word. 11. THE CHIEF AIM OF GoD's MINISTERS MUST BE TO REACH THE PEOPLE. 1. N 0 sophistry should blind us to the fact that the proclamation of gospel truth is the first duty of Christians. 2. The Word preached must be the 'Nord which is adapted to_the people. No power like that of evangelical truth. 3. Churches mu~t gu~rd a.gamst being" e.t ease in Zion." Edification is best ai1;11ed at through aggre~s1,e etlort:l on the surrounding population. Intellect.ual preacbmg n1_ust be subord1nat~d. to JJOpular wauto. .An educated ministry is the want of the times, but the education, like all other mean~ employed, must be full of the Holy Ghost. III. 'rlIE MASTJ,:R'S COMMISSION THE SIJl'PORT OF THE CnuR<)H's HOPES. 1. Direct charge must silence all questioning and a.11 specula~ion. ~- ~esus Ch_rist read_s thu future. Let the commander give the orders. Then his predictions of victory ";11! te fulfilled. 3. The reflex nction of zealous fulfilment of the charge 01: the Ch~.u~h s own faith e.nd experience. Those who do much for the people the happiest Chnst1ans, the  THE ACTS OF TIIE APOSTLES.