the acts of the apostles-第8章
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taken； and by wicked hands have crucified and slain： whom God hath raised
up； having loosed the pains of death： because it was not possible that He
should be holden of it。〃
Peter did not refer to the teachings of Christ to prove his position；
because he knew that the prejudice of his hearers was so great that his
words on this subject would be of no effect。 Instead； he spoke to them of
David； who was regarded by the Jews as one of the patriarchs of their
nation。 〃David speaketh concerning Him；〃 he declared： 〃I foresaw the
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Lord always before My face； for He is on My right hand； that I should not be
moved： therefore did My heart rejoice； and My tongue was glad； moreover also
My flesh shall rest in hope： because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell；
neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption。 。 。 。
〃Men and brethren； let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David； that
he is both dead and buried； and his sepulcher is with us unto this day。〃 〃He
。 。 。 spake of the resurrection of Christ； that His soul was not left in
hell； neither His flesh did see corruption。 This Jesus hath God raised up；
whereof we all are witnesses。〃
The scene is one full of interest。 Behold the people coming from all
directions to hear the disciples witness to the truth as it is in Jesus。
They press in； crowding the temple。 Priests and rulers are there； the dark
scowl of malignity still on their faces； their hearts still filled with
abiding hatred against Christ； their hands uncleansed from the blood shed
when they crucified the world's Redeemer。 They had thought to find the
apostles cowed with fear under the strong hand of oppression and murder； but
they find them lifted above all fear and filled with the Spirit； proclaiming
with power the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth。 They hear them declaring with
boldness that the One so recently humiliated； derided； smitten by cruel
hands； and crucified； is the Prince of life； now exalted to the right hand
of God。
Some of those who listened to the apostles had taken an active part in the
condemnation and death of Christ。 Their voices had mingled with the rabble
in calling for His
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crucifixion。 When Jesus and Barabbas stood before them in the judgment hall
and Pilate asked； 〃Whom will ye that I release unto you？〃 they had shouted；
〃Not this Man； but Barabbas！〃 Matthew 27：17； John 18：40。 When Pilate
delivered Christ to them； saying； 〃Take ye Him； and crucify Him： for I find
no fault in Him；〃 〃I am innocent of the blood of this just Person；〃 they had
cried； 〃His blood be on us； and on our children。〃 John 19：6； Matthew 27：24；
25。
Now they heard the disciples declaring that it was the Son of God who had
been crucified。 Priests and rulers trembled。 Conviction and anguish seized
the people。 〃They were pricked in their heart； and said unto Peter and to
the rest of the apostles； Men and brethren； what shall we do？〃 Among those
who listened to the disciples were devout Jews； who were sincere in their
belief。 The power that accompanied the words of the speaker convinced them
that Jesus was indeed the Messiah。
〃Then Peter said unto them； Repent； and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins； and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost。 For the promise is unto you； and to your children；
and to all that are afar off； even as many as the Lord our God shall call。〃
Peter urged home upon the convicted people the fact that they had rejected
Christ because they had been deceived by priests and rulers； and that if
they continued to look to these men for counsel； and waited for them to
acknowledge Christ before they dared to do so； they would never accept Him。
These powerful men； though making a profession
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of godliness； were ambitious for earthly riches and glory。 They were not
willing to come to Christ to receive light。
Under the influence of this heavenly illumination the scriptures that Christ
had explained to the disciples stood out before them with the luster of
perfect truth。 The veil that had prevented them from seeing to the end of
that which had been abolished； was now removed； and they comprehended with
perfect clearness the object of Christ's mission and the nature of His
kingdom。 They could speak with power of the Saviour； and as they unfolded to
their hearers the plan of salvation； many were convicted and convinced。 The
traditions and superstitions inculcated by the priests were swept away from
their minds； and the teachings of the Saviour were accepted。
〃Then they that gladly received his word were baptized： and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls。〃
The Jewish leaders had supposed that the work of Christ would end with His
death； but； instead of this； they witnessed the marvelous scenes of the Day
of Pentecost。 They heard the disciples； endowed with a power and energy
hitherto unknown； preaching Christ； their words confirmed by signs and
wonders。 In Jerusalem； the stronghold of Judaism； thousands openly declared
their faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah。
The disciples were astonished and overjoyed at the greatness of the harvest
of souls。 They did not regard this wonderful ingathering as the result of
their own efforts； they realized that they were entering into other men's
labors。
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Ever since the fall of Adam； Christ had been committing to chosen servants
the seed of His word； to be sown in human hearts。 During His life on this
earth He had sown the seed of truth and had watered it with His blood。 The
conversions that took place on the Day of Pentecost were the result of this
sowing； the harvest of Christ's work； revealing the power of His teaching。
The arguments of the apostles alone； though clear and convincing； would not
have removed the prejudice that had withstood so much evidence。 But the Holy
Spirit sent the arguments home to hearts with divine power。 The words of the
apostles were as sharp arrows of the Almighty； convicting men of their
terrible guilt in rejecting and crucifying the Lord of glory。
Under the training of Christ the disciples had been led to feel their need
of the Spirit。 Under the Spirit's teaching they received the final
qualification； and went forth to their lifework。 No longer were they
ignorant and uncultured。 No longer were they a collection of independent
units or discordant； conflicting elements。 No longer were their hopes set on
worldly greatness。 They were of 〃one accord；〃 〃of one heart and of one
soul。〃 Acts。 2：46； 4：32。 Christ filled their thoughts； the advancement of
His kingdom was their aim。 In mind and character they had become like their
Master； and men 〃took knowledge of them； that they had been with Jesus。〃
Acts 4：13。
Pentecost brought them the heavenly illumination。 The truths they could not
understand while Christ was with them were now unfolded。 With a faith and
assurance that
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they had never before known； they accepted the teachings of the Sacred Word。
No longer was it a matter of faith with them that Christ was the Son of God。
They knew that； although clothed with humanity； He was indeed the Messiah；
and they told their experience to the world with a confidence which carried
with it the conviction that God was with them。
They could speak the name of Jesus with assurance； for was He not their
Friend and Elder Brother？ Brought into close communion with Christ； they sat
with Him in heavenly places。 With what burning language they clothed their
ideas as they bore witness for Him！ Their hearts were surcharged with a
benevolence so full； so deep； so far…reaching； that it impelled them to go
to the ends of the earth； testifying to the power of Christ。 They were
filled with an intense longing to carry forward the work He had begun。 They
realized the greatness of their debt to heaven and the responsibility of
their work。 Strengthened by the endowment of the Holy Spirit； they went
forth filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross。 The Spirit
animated them and spoke through th
