With Him they were invincible,
and could continue the work of Jesus. The mighty energy of His
working is seen in the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost.
The sermon itself does not seem to have been very remarkable;
indeed, it is principally composed of testimony backed up and
fortified by Scripture quotations, followed by exhortation, just as
are the sermons that are most effective to-day in the immediate
conversion and sanctification of men. "True preaching," said Horace
Bushnell, "is a testimony."
Peter's Scripture quotations were apt, fitting the occasion and
the people to whom they were addressed. The testimony was bold
and joyous, the rushing outflow of a warm, fresh throbbing
experience; and the exhortation was burning, uncompromising in
its demands, and yet tender and full of sympathy and love. But a
Divine Presence was at work in that vast, mocking, wondering
throng, and it was He who made Peter's simple words search like
fire, and carry such overwhelming conviction to the hearts of the
people.
And it is still so that whenever and wherever a man preaches
"with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven," there will be
conviction.
Under Peter's sermon "they were pricked in their hearts." The
truth pierced them as a sword until they said, "What shall we
do?" They had been doubting and mocking a short time before, but
now they were earnestly inquiring the way to be saved.
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