The Pilgrim Path---Acts 5: 12 – 16

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the LORD, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Multitudes of both men and women…

The Book of Acts is about action---the testimony of the Spirit of God in validating the message of the Apostles. How were the people to know that these men were telling the truth about Jesus of Nazareth? They did extraordinary works--- to substantiate the Word they proclaimed. The works were not the message---The Gospel of The Kingdom was and is the message: Salvation is had in no other Name but Jesus Christ ---the Holy Son of God! With great power from heaven, they conveyed this truth---and healed many who were sick and afflicted by unclean spirits.

From John Calvin ( Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Chapter III, Section 4 )

Those who preside over the government of the Church, according to the institution of Christ, are named by Paul, first, Apostles; secondly, Prophets; thirdly, Evangelists; fourthly, Pastors; and, lastly, Teachers (Ephesians 4: 11). Of these, only the two last have an ordinary office in the Church…the apostles, therefore, were sent to bring back the world from its revolt to the true obedience of God, and everywhere establish his kingdom by the preaching of the Gospel…

It is interesting to consider that Peter and the rest of the Apostles:

---did not build a vocational ministry based upon healing---though they healed many

---did not ask for money in exchange for benefits people received “from” the LORD

---did not say that physical wholeness was an absolute permanent benefit that “all” of Jesus’ people should forever expect--- as a consequence of serving Him

---did not fear meeting in Solomon’s Portico to proclaim the Truth to unbelievers---for many continued to trust in the LORD (5: 14). The Religious Leaders were a threat to them…

---did not mind staying busy for the good of bodies and souls----they were apparently available for some considerable amount of time--- as long as they had the means (something: only Peter’s shadow was necessary to assist some sick souls---incredible---verse 15). Spurgeon used to ask his former students at his annual conference for them at the Pastor’s College, “Could you do just a little bit more for Jesus and His Kingdom?”

From George MacDonald: Right gladly would He free them from their misery, but He knows only one way: He will teach them to be like Himself, meek and lowly, bearing with gladness the yoke of His Father’s will. This is the one, the only right, the only possible way of freeing them from their sin, the cause of their unrest.

From William Law: Receive every inward and outward trouble, every disappointment, pain, uneasiness, temptation, darkness, and desolation with both thy hands, as a true opportunity and blessed occasion of dying to self, and entering into a fuller fellowship with thy self-denying, suffering Savior. Look at no inward or outward trouble in any other view; reject every other thought about it; and then every kind of trial and distress will become the blessed day of thy prosperity. That state is best, which exerciseth the highest faith in and fullest resignation to God.

From Samuel Rutherford: Christ’s cross is such a burden as sails are to a ship or wings to a bird.

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” The LORD Jesus---Matthew 16: 25, 26

HYMN

In our joys and in our sorrows,

Days of toil and hours of ease,

Still, he calls us, in cares and pleasures,

“Christian, love me more than these.”

Jesus calls us: by thy mercies,

Savior, may we hear thy call,

Give our hearts to thine obedience,

Serve and love thee best of all.

Cecil Frances Alexander, 1852; alt.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason