Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. (27) For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. (28) And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. (29) And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher. (30) But God raised him from the dead: (31) And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. (32) And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, (33) God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. (34) And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (35) Wherefore he saith also in another Psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (36) For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: (37) But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. (38) Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (40) Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; (41) Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
I request the Reader to remark with me, some of the many blessed things contained in this sermon of Paul's. Here he is indeed preaching Christ, fully, sweetly, and powerfully. Let the Reader first observe, how he opens his discourse. Men and Brethren, for so they were, as he himself was by birth a Jew. And children of the stock of Abraham; and this, no doubt, was peculiarly grateful to them, as they prided themselves on their descent from that honored Hebrew. But, that the Gentiles might consider themselves as included also in his address, (as no doubt many of the proselytes to the Jewish religion were present), he added; and whosoever among you feareth God. S o that he included the whole. And thus the Lord commanded the Gospel to be preached to every creature, Mark 16:15. But, let not the Reader fail to observe at the same time, that while it was the province of Paul thus to preach, and all the truly ordained ministers of the word, like Paul, to do the same; (for neither he, nor they, can do more;) unless the word of this salvation is sent, that is, directed by the power, and grace of God the Spirit; neither Paul's preaching, nor any other man's watering, will prove profitable, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7
Before we proceed further, I would beg the Reader to pause, and make this view of the subject somewhat a little more practical.
The substance of Paul's preaching, he himself sums up, in what he calleth the word of salvation. And the Gospel of Christ, in every point of view, corresponds to this character. For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone that believeth, Romans 1:16. And, whoever is made the happy partaker of it, hath a blessed apprehension in his own heart, of the blissful consequences. He finds it to be a salvation, from death to life, from sin to righteousness, from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to the living God.
And, I pray the Reader to ponder well the distinguishing nature of this blessing of salvation; in that, it is said to be sent. It comes, by divine appointment. And it is sent, by divine direction. Like the rain, of the dew of heaven, it waiteth not for man, neither tarrieth for the sons of men. The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people, Micah 5:7. And what endears it yet more, is the distinguishing nature of it, in that, as it waits not for man's deserving; so neither for man's preparing to receive it. The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, doth not suppose men to be in a state of grace, but void of it: for, if the Lord was to wait till a man had prepared himself to receive, this would be to expect life in the dead; and corrupt nature to do that for itself, which salvation comes to give. Very blessedly, therefore, is it said to be sent; and to be sent to the dead in trespasses and sins. I am come, (said Jesus), that they might have life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, John 11:25; John 11:25
There are numberless beauties in this sermon of Paul's, which, I hope, the Lord the Spirit will graciously unfold, and give efficacy to in the heart of the Reader. But I dare not enlarge. I must not however pass by noticing, the very comprehensive expression of the Apostle's, when he saith, that by Him, (that is, the Lord Jesus Christ), all that believe are justified from all things; from which no justification could be found, by the law of Moses. I Have often thought, how very gracious it was in God the Holy Ghost, in directing his servant Paul thus to teach the Church. The Lord well knew, how many of his people of little faith are at times sharply exercised, by reason of the slenderness of this principle; so as sometimes from the temptations of the enemy, and their own misgiving hearts, to call in question whether they have the least measure of faith. And, what a relief to the souls of all such ought it to lie, and no doubt hath frequently proved, when they are here told, and from an authority which cannot err, that all that believe; whether strong believers, or weak believers; whether babes in Christ, or fathers in God: all are alike justified from all things, by Christ. And, the reason is given. It is by Him. Yes! Christ's Person, and Christ's blood and righteousness, are the sole causes of justification; and perfectly distinct from, and unconnected with, any other circumstance whatever. It is indeed a very blessed thing, and calls for great thankfulness in the hearts of those, whom grace gives the power to enjoy it; when a child of God is strong in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. But it never should be forgotten, at the same time, that it is not our faith, but Christ's salvation, which is the whole security of the Lord's people. And the weakest believer, as well as the strongest, are alike safe in Christ Jesus. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory, Isaiah 45:25
And, let me offer a short observation more. As faith is the entire gift of God, which, like our stature, we can neither add to, nor take from; a soul in grace, however conscious of the weakness of this blessed principle, should always take comfort in the assurance, that it is a gift of God which can never die; for the gifts and calling of God, are without repentance, Romans 2:29. A child of God, by virtue of that grace-union in Christ, which was given him in Christ Jesus, before the world began; Ephesians 1:4, is, during this time-state of the Church, quickened into spiritual life, in Christ Jesus. Now, this quickening can never die. This incorruptible seed liveth and abideth forever, 1 Peter 1:23. Death itself cannot destroy it. Hence, the Apostle blessedly saith: He that hath the Son hath life, 1 John 5:12. And Jesus declares it to be life eternal, John 17:2-3. So that neither in life, nor death, can there be any alteration here. And the reason is evident, because it is in Christ; yea, it is Christ himself, John 11:25. How truly blessed is it then, to behold our safety wholly in Christ. There are no procuring causes. Neither great faith nor little faith, have the least hand in the great work of salvation; And though, as was remarked before, it is a matter which calls for much love and praise, to the Almighty Author and Finisher of our faith, when we can cheerfully pass through a tabulated path of darkness, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God; yet even in that path, though lightened by faith, this must be the believer's song, when his heart is rightly tuned, and which is as much the portion of the weak believer, as the strong: In the Lord have I righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed, Isaiah 45:24
If I may be indulged one moment longer, it shall be to observe, how solemnly the Apostle finished his sermon, in the concluding sentence of it. He had said, all that could be said, by way of encouragement to poor distressed, broken-hearted sinners which were present, in proclaiming the fulness, greatness, and freeness, of this salvation: and now he makes an appeal to any stout-hearted persons which were there, who would still neglect so great salvation. Behold! ye despisers, and wonder and perish!
There is somewhat tremendously awful in calling to their recollection their own scriptures, in confirmation of what he had said, and by quoting this passage from the Prophet, of those who not barely slighted, but despised the counsel of God, against their own souls, boldly to shew them the dangerous state to which they were exposed. See Habakkuk 1:5. I do not upon this, or any other occasion, desire to speak decidedly, but I beg the Reader to ask himself, whether the Apostle doth not, by the manner of speaking here made use of, very plainly intimate the total impossibility of those men he alluded to, of receiving the truth of God. They despised, and yet they wondered, they looked with astonishment at what they heard, but yet determined to resist all conviction. They tasted, but rejected the word of life. See Hebrews 6:4-6 and Commentary. And, Reader! have you not seen similar things in the present generation? I have. Oh! what numbers are there in the earth, who, like Agrippa, are almost persuaded to be Christians; but, like him, prefer time to eternity; and for the moment's gratification, rush into infinite woe, Acts 26:28. Would the Reader learn the cause? The word of God explains, See Isaiah 6:9; 2 Peter 2:12-17; Jude 1:4.