The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 352

most assured belie\'ers. The triumphs of practical Christianity will be lta best e\'idence. What are we doing, both as individuals and as Churches, to preo.ch to the people?-R. Ver. 4-3.-Faith directed t.o its highest o1'fecl, "To him give all the prophets witness," etc. Peter's climax. He led his hearers up the ascent of faith, and Eid them see Jesus on the height, above all, summing up all in himseU, before all eyes, testified to by all witnesses from the beginning. I. THE TWO TESTIMONIES here set forth-the witness of the written Word, the witness of the unwritten work of the Spirit in the heart, 1. The union of these the ground of a sinner's confidence. Faith lays hold of the object. 2. 'l'he world is in\'itcd to examine these two witnesses for Christ. The Bible, as the Ilook of the prophets, stands not alone. God writes a Bible in his Church, in 'great examples of his Spirit's work; in the consciences of men. We must appeal to bcth. Review the course of revelation side by side with the facts of spiritual history. Great revivals accompanied by great openings of the Word. II. 'l'aE WORLD-WIDE BLESSEDNESS. 1. Remission of sins the foundation on which all spiritual, moral, and physical change must be built up. No compromise with a lower doctrine. 'l'he promise of the Spirit is to faith. 'l'he kingdom proclaimed is not man's kingdom, but God's. 2. The Name of Jesus is the centre of all religious reformation. Apostolic successes were due to the unflinching steadfastness of th£ ambassadors. 3. Connect the conclusion of Peter's sermon with the preceding testimony, Faith is acceptance, not of any Chr.i_st, but of the Christ to whom all the prophets 'l<"itnessed. Practical religion is based upon intelligent understanding of the object oi faith. It is obedience to the truth.-R. V ers. 44--48.-The first GenWe (Jliurch. 1. Importance oft-he event as removing all doubt and opening the new future. The Holy Ghost his own witness. To resist such evidence would be blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. 2. The i=ediate consecra- tion and public sealing of the work by baptism a striking example of obedience to tho Spirit, and shows us that we should bear in mind always how much profession and consecration bear on the interests of Christ's kingdom, 3. Apostolic authority is great, but is itself subject to the Spirit. Inspiration in the people of God blends with inspiration in his.specially anointed messengers. Wherever he shows us that his Spirit has already been poured out, let us hasten to bear witness to it. So shall wo strengthen our own faith and enlarge the Church. The whole history, thus concluded, a lesson on the blessing attending a simple following the guidance of the Spirit. Peter an example of a heart enlarged by simplicity.-R. Vers. 1-48.-BrO!Jdening foundations. 'l'he promises of God to "Abraham and bis seed for ever" are not going to be diminished now, but something of the extent cf them is to be made more plain. Nothing shall be taken from the Jew which he is willin"' to have and to keep; but much is going to be given, with a manifestation unkno~n before, to the Gentile. With some form of vision, of dream, of angel-appear- ance, the covenant of long ages ago was made with the patriarch, and it seems that now, some nineteen centuries later, similar august realities shall be graciously put into movement, to inaugurate the abundant entrance of the whole Gentile world to the blessin"s of revealed religion. Multifarious as the detail of this chapter is, it is knit to"etb;r by strongest bonds. It is one in spirit and in subject, and its impression is on~. It is the moving drama-like representation of a very real and very significant transition in universal history. We are in the presence of a landmark that shall be seen far and wide and to the end of time. And we may observe- L IN WHOM THIS GREAT TRANSITION IS ILLUSTRATED. Confessedly indications of it had not been wanting, while Jesus lived on earth, in the eulogy he pronounced upon the fait.h of such as the centurion whose servant was ill, and the Syro-phcenician woman. And within the actual ministry of Peter as an apostle, the Ethiopian eunuch, bis conversion and baptism, bad given similar indications. But more than indications a.re now arrived. 'Ibe time is ripe for manifestation. And the illustration, nay, the full &nd distinct announcing, of the wuversal privileges and universal blessings of the CH, l[, 1-48,J THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 349