Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.' "' a This is a wonderful statement. Moses's authority had passed away, a greater than Moses is here. He it is of whom Moses and the prophets wrote. Samuel, the head of the long line of Jewish prophets, and all his successors, have foretold these days-marvelous days-the last days of Judaism, the first days of Christianity. They marked the fading away of the old, the bringing in of the new. If the prophets looked forward to these days, may we not look back to them, laden, as they are, with glad tidings for all people? Precious days, days hallowed by the greatest events that ever happened on earth; days which gave man new faith, new hope, and started the world on a new career of glory. Days in which were wedded heaven and earth in Jesus and His Church, in bonds of love which are not broken in life nor parted in death. We should consider well the events of these days which marked the beginning of the Christian age, an age which on all succeeding ages has been telling with irresistible power.

The result of this discourse was that "the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about

a Acts. iii. 22-24.

five thousand." a Here it is simply stated that they believed, and that "the number of men was about five thousand." We have no warrant, however, for the conclusion that those who were added to the Church daily, or these who were numbered, had not complied with the same terms required on the day of Pentecost. That the terms are not stated in full in every case is not a proof that they were not enforced. No one will argue, because it is only stated that they were "added to the church," that they were added without faith or repentance. Neither can it be argued, because belief only is stated here, that they were not required to repent and to be baptized. Because all the terms of pardon are not stated in each individual case, it does not follow that they did not comply with all the terms. We must then look to the cases of pardon given in full if we would know what was done by each individual who is said to be "added to the Church," who "believed," or who became "obedient unto the faith." This is an important consideration. We should never recognize the obedience to one command, given either to saint or sinner, as covering the whole range of human obligation. If the system of redemption is perfect as a whole, it is perfect in all its parts, and each part must be complied with in order to perfect obedience. It would therefore follow, as a matter of justice and common right, that no more and no less should be required of one than of another under the same circumstances. If, therefore, it be shown that many persons at different places and various

a Acts. iv. 1-4.

times heard, believed, repented, and were baptized in order to receive pardon, it follows that this is the law of pardon, even if all these terms are not fully stated in each individual case, as they are not excluded.

When Peter and John were released from prison on the next day they were summoned by the "rulers and elders and scribes," and "the high priest" and others in regard to healing the lame man. They were asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them... .. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. . . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."a Abraham, Moses, David, and all the prophets were powerless to save. Jesus alone is vested with power to save; none ever preceded Him, none have succeeded Him with such power. Of all the mighty of earth none have demonstrated power to save. Jesus alone is able to save and strong to deliver. No other name given whereby we must be saved. then, is true to-day, true to-morrow, and will be true until sin shall cease, until the grave gives back its dead, and time shall be no more.

This was true

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowl

a Acts iv. 7-12.

edge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. . . . And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them." a Having prayed to God, who hath made heaven and earth, the sea and all things, the place where they were assembled was shaken, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul."b

Then follows an account of the community of interest and the death of Ananias and Sapphira on account of "having lied to the Holy Spirit." This common interest-this community, which was confined to the Jerusalem church, so far as history informs us, was made necessary by the common need of the "multitude of them that believed," as no doubt there would be great difficulty in obtaining employment when they were despised and persecuted; and also on account of the sick that were healed. not compulsory but voluntary.

a Acts iv. 13-23.

b Acts iv. 31, 32.

It was

After this we are informed that "believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." a They also healed a multitude of sick and afflicted in Jerusalem and of those brought to them "from the cities round about." "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said: Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." Upon this it may be remarked, first, that the angel of the Lord did not speak to the people, but commanded the apostles to go and speak. And, second, that they were to speak "the words of this life." The life of which the apostles were to speak was couched in words--it was based on facts. The next

day the apostles were not found in the prison, but in the temple teaching the people. They were brought without violence and set before the council, "And the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give b Acts v. 17-20.

a Acts v. 14.