Acts 5:30-32 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The cross and the crown.

In this address which Peter delivered to the Sanhedrim we have another epitome of the gospel.

I. THE LOWEST DEPTH OF EARTHLY SHAME . "Whom ye slew and hanged on a tree" ( Acts 5:30 ). The Son of God was "made a little lower than the angels," even a Son of man, "for the suffering of death" ( Hebrews 2:9 ). He stooped to the level of our humanity, in order that he might "taste death for every man." And he underwent that experience in its most dreadful form—in darkness, pain, shame, desertion, inexpressible agony of soul. He went deliberately down to the very lowest point to which he could stoop, that he might finish the work the Father had given him to do.

II. THE HIGHEST SUMMIT OF HEAVENLY HONOUR . "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus … him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior" ( Acts 5:30 , Acts 5:31 ). "From the highest throne of glory to the cross of deepest woe" he had come; now he reascended from the grave to the throne, to the seat of heavenly power and blessedness. He has become an enthroned Redeemer, a sovereign Savior,

III. THE METHOD OF THE REIGNING SAVIOUR . He is a Prince and a Savior, " to give repentance.., and forgiveness of sins." How does the exalted Lord carry on his great work as he reigns in heaven? By giving repentance and remission.

1. He gives to human souls a sense of the heinousness of their sin.

2. He dispenses to them, through his atoning sacrifice, full and free forgiveness of their sin. Thus he leads men everywhere away from their iniquity, and restores them to the favor and so to the happy service of the Supreme.

IV. THE BLESSED CERTAINTY WE HAVE OF THE FACT OF HIS ELEVATION . ( Acts 5:22 .) The apostles could assure the council that these things were so; they could place it beyond all doubt, inasmuch as

1. The human testimony of the apostles of our Lord; also of all Christian souls in all succeeding generations, who have witnessed for him and the power of his grace; and also the assurance of our contemporaries, who rejoice in the liberty with which he has made them free.

2. The Divine testimony of that gracious Spirit of God, who, though he works no signs and wonders around us, does work conviction, comfort, sanctity, strength, within us.—C.