by Thomas Manton
in ePub, mobi & .pdf formats
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:37-38
THIS scripture telleth us what was the fruit and effect of the first sermon that was preached after the pouring out of the Spirit. Peter preached that sermon, and brought in thousands of souls to Christ: Acts 2:41, 'Then they that gladly received the word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.' Never did Peter show himself such a fisher of men as now. Three thousand souls were gained at that one draught, or one casting of the net of the gospel; and those not very pliable ductile men neither, and easy to be caught, but sturdy sinners, such as had imbrued their hands in the blood of their Saviour, and were now in a mocking, scoffing humour. But thus it is to venture in the confidence of the power of Christ's Spirit. It was a mighty thing that an angel should slay a hundred and eighty-five thousand in one night in Sennacherib's host; but it is easier to kill so many men than to convert and save one soul. One angel, by his mere natural strength, could kill so many armed men, but all the angels in heaven, if they should join all their forces together, could not convert one soul to God. Here was more done. Well, then, this being the first instance of the power of the word accompanied with the Spirit, we ought to regard it the more. When we hear of some physic that hath notably wrought on others, and cured them of their diseases, every sick man would try that physic, or inquire after it. Here we see how the word worketh for the cure of sick souls; therefore let us consider a little the way of its operation. There is some account of that in the text, how it began to work, 'Now when they heard this, they were pricked at their hearts,' &c.
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Table of Contents
Sermon I. "Now when they heard this, were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Sermon II. "Now when they heard this," &c.
Sermon III. "And they said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Sermon IV. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost,"
Sermon V. "Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,"
Sermon VI. "Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,"
Sermon VII. "And ye shall receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost,"