“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
And killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead: whereof we are witnesses.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
III. Peter preaches to the high priests. They had arrested them and were demanding to know by what power they did these things. “By the name of Jesus Christ, . . . doth this man stand here before you whole.” When Bunyan was told he would be released if he would not preach any more, he said, “If you let me out I will preach to-morrow.”
IV. Peter’s testimony before the council. They commanded them not to preach in the name of Christ. I don’t know what they could do if they were forbidden that. Some ministers to-day would have no trouble; they could get along very well. About all the disciples knew was what they had learned in those three years with Jesus, hearing His sermons and seeing His miracles. They saw the things and knew they were so, and when the Holy Ghost came down upon them, they could not help but speak them.
V. Stephen’s sermon. He preached the longest sermon in Acts. Dr. Bonar once said, “Did you ever notice, Brother Whittle, that when the Jews accused Stephen of speaking blasphemous words against Moses, the Lord lit up his face with the same glory with which Moses’ face shone?”
An old Scotch beadle once warned his new minister, “You may preach as much as ye like about the sins of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but stick to them and don’t come any nearer hand if ye want to stay here.” Stephen began with them, but he came right down to the recent crucifixion, and stirred them up.
VI. Peter’s last sermon and the first sermon to the Gentiles. Notice the same gospel is preached to the Gentiles as to the Jews, and it produces the same results. “To him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the word.”
Now the leading character changes and Paul comes on.
VII. Paul’s sermon at Antioch, in Pisidia. An old acquaintance once said to me, “What are you preaching now? I hope you are not harping on that old string yet.” Yes, thank God, I am spreading the old gospel. If you want to get people to come to hear you, lift up Christ; He said, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” “Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.”