Minister of the City Temple, Holborn Viaduct, London,

"

AUTHOR OF ECCE DEUS,' THE PARACLETE,' ""THE PRIesthood of Christ,'

SAYINGS OF MINE,"

37 66

" "THESE

ETC.

VOLUME I.

FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST TO THE
WITHDRAWAL OF PETER.

NEW YORK:

FUNK & WAGNALLS, PUBLISHERS,

IO AND 12 DEY STREET.

1883.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

VOL. I.

I. Acts i. 1-9. THE BEGINNING OF APOSTOLICITY.

The Writer of the Records-The Gospel cannot be Hid-

Theology Immeasurable-Be Charitable--Giving Command-
ments-Christ's Life continued-Same Words, but not Same
Meanings-Grieving the Spirit.

PAGE

2

II. Acts i. 1-9. THE BEGINNING OF APOSTOLICITY. (Continued.) 13

Farewell Interviews-Christ taken up-Life Determines

Death-Influence of First Impressions-The Gift of Power-

The Holy Ghost lost-No little-minded Christians-Growing

in Grace.

III. Acts i. 10-14. THE UPWARD Look.....

Natural Attitudes-Anonymous Influences-Education by

Questioning-Looking Upward-The same Jesus-The Spirit
of Obedience-Mechanism broken up-Pray without ceasing.

IV. Acts i. 15-26. THE Premature ELECTION......

Completing the Apostolate-Doing Something-Self-excom-

munication-Arminian and Calvinist-Apostolical Qualification

-Unanimous Decisions.

V. Acts ii. 1-21. THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT.............

Opportunities-The Feast of Pentecost-With one Accord--

The Divine Gift-How great Promises are fulfilled-The Gift

of Fire.

22

32

41

VI. Acts ii. 21. THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT. (Continued.) 52

Unity in Diversity-Receiving the Holy Ghost-The Need of

Union with Christ-No Mechanical Enthusiasm-Enlarged
Conceptions of Things-No Individuality lost.

PAGE

VII. Acts ii. 22-36. THE EFFECT OF PENTECOST UPON PETER.. 61

Peter's Transfiguration-The personal Effect of Inspira-

tion - Fulfilment of Prophecy - Peter's Inspiration - An
Evangelical Speech- Everything is in the Bible-Inspiration
unlimited.

VIII. Acts ii. 37-47. THE EFFECTS OF GOSPEL PREACHING... 70

The Double Action of the Spirit-A Sermon full of Script-

-The Preacher must be inspired-The Gospel and the
Heart--Healthy Excitement-Common Prayer and Com-
mon Praise-Larger Meanings needed.

ure-

IX. Acts iii. 1-11. THE LAME MAN HEALED...

Quiet Worship-Duty not lessened-Inspiration not lost-

Apostolic Practice-The True Riches-The Strongest Vindi-
cation.

X. Acts iii. 12-26. A GREATER MIRACLE........

The Miracle of Exposition-The True Primacy-Peter's

powerful Appeal-The Call to Repentance-Vital Blessing.

XI. Acts iv. 1-30. TEACHING AND PERSECUTION...

80

88

The Logic of Events-Before the Judges-The full Title

of Christ-The Appeal to Right.

98

XII. Acts iv. 31-37; v. 1-11. COMMUNISM AND ITS VIOLATION. 109

A Mission to the Church-The Need of Reality-Deceiv-

ers of the Lord.

XIII. Acts v. 12-42. APOSTOLIC AUDACITY..

Old-fashioned Religion-Respectable Churchism-True

Preaching.

XIV. Acts vi. 1-8. THE ELECTION OF DEACONS....

128

The Power of Prayer-Nothing Secular in the Church-

The Power of Union.

XV. Acts vi. 9-15. THE TRIAL OF STEPHEN..

Twofold Character-The Danger of Controversy-The

Silent Vindication-Miracles possible now.

XVI. Acts vii. 1-53. THE DEFENCE OF STEPHEN......

Unconscious Influence-Spiritual History-The Rhetorical

Model.

146

XVII. Acts vii. 1-53. THE DEFENCE OF STEPHEN. (Continued.) 157

The Fact of Personal Election-The Mysteries of Provi-

dence-Ancient and Modern Providence.