The video is a sermon on the preaching of the word of God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding the Bible in order to effectively preach and teach others. He encourages listeners to approach the Bible with humility and a desire to learn, rather than relying solely on their own interpretations. The speaker also emphasizes the need for prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide and illuminate the meaning of the scriptures. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the importance of the word of God as the foundation for preaching and teaching.

And we are going to look at the promised power of the Seekers. I want you to get that into your mind before we begin. The promised power. Jesus said to his disciples just before he ascended, Ye shall receive power. But let's turn to the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1, please. The Acts of the Apostles. And I think that everyone here knows that it was Luke, the beloved physician, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He penned the Gospel according to Luke, and he also penned this wonderful book that's entitled The Acts of the Apostles. And of course he penned the Gospel according to Luke to Theophilus, who was a Roman official. You remember Luke's Gospel opens when he talks about all excellent Theophilus, or most excellent Theophilus, and the word most excellent tells us that he was a Roman official of a high rank. But you see he got saved. Actually whoever named him, named him well, for Theophilus means a lover of God. And this man fell in love with the Lord Jesus. And Luke penned this Gospel that he might know all the ins and outs of. And now he's penning this letter and he's saying the former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, and you can see he's dropping the most excellent now. That's a very good indication. Because when he was just saved and was a Roman official in Luke's Gospel, Luke called him most excellent. Now he's allowed to drop it, he just calls him Theophilus. As you grow in grace you lose these titles, you know. I don't think a fellow's growing in grace at all when he's standing up and wanting to be called a very reverend doctor of this and that and if you don't do this for him he gets cross. I lost that years ago. Don't let's have any of this old Roman, pagan, popish, ecclesiastical nonsense about us. If John is John and Paul is Paul and Peter is Peter then let's be ourselves. A man's growing in grace when you can drop the titles and say Theophilus. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. And you know the doing is before the teaching here. Because I don't believe that if you don't do the doing you shouldn't be allowed to do the teaching. I'm afraid that the doing comes first. Let's do, then you can teach. Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen, to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs. No doubt about his bodily resurrection there are many infallible proofs. Being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God and being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water but he shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. I think it's good, you know, to look at this properly. Because when he's talking to them here just before the ascension the baptism of the Spirit is future. Ye shall be. And when you come to read in 1 Corinthians you'll find that the baptism of the Spirit is past and all the Corinthians were baptized by one Spirit into one body. And you can see it future and you can see it past. But next week we'll be dealing with the baptism of the Spirit and I don't need to take the time now. Something for you to chew on for the week when the Lord Jesus looked at these disciples he takes them all and he says, ye, not one or two of you. Ye shall be baptized. Not the fellow that gets through as we hear this month and so. The whole bundle of them. If you'd like to come around and argue with me because I'll take you on. The whole crowd is going to be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Are they or are they not? Not the wee fellow that can pray right, you know. Oh no, we'll do it properly for you. It was future and it was from a whole crowd. Make no mistakes about that. And when we come to see the Corinthians who were baptized with the Holy Ghost while there was strife and divisions among them and they walked and they were carnal and Paul said, I could not even speak unto you as unto the Spirit, ye are yet carnal. But we'll get into it all right. So what trope I hear talked. That's not our subject this evening. We're not looking at the baptism, we're just looking at the promised power this evening. Verse 5 For John truly baptized with water but he shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou art this time restored again the kingdom to Israel. I want you to see them. They're his followers. And there is no doubt at all that they were born again. No doubts whatsoever he was going to take them up and use them in the not too far distant future in a mighty way. But can't you see their minds? You see their thinking about the kingdom for Israel. Of course you know this was something they had learned in their days gone by. That this kingdom of Israel would become the head and not the tail of the nations. And to be perfectly frank although they're saved and wonderfully saved they're just Jewish nationalists. And you can push it too far you know. Cause I know folks that are saved and well saved and they're only Welsh nationalists. And I know folks who are saved and well saved and they're Scottish nationalists. And I know a terrible lot well saved and they're only Ulster nationalists. So just be careful where you are you know. Cause Ulster is not first you know. Jesus Christ is first. We must crown him Lord of all. You've thought the other things out all right. You can see where they were. They were just as well saved as you are. But you know the whole craze inside them was the kingdom for Israel. You can get that sort of thing into you if you don't watch. You'd be much better filled with the Holy Ghost wouldn't you. And then the Lord said this to them. And we're at verse 7. And he said unto them. Let's read verse 6 over again. When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou this time restore again the kingdom to Israel. And he said unto them. It is not for you to know the times or the seasons. Let me take a little bit out of that because I think that's how I can do it best for you. It is not for you to know. All that we could learn tonight. That there's a whole lot of things that God is going to do and it's not for you to know. Yes. Everybody wants to know everything. Well there are wee things that God is going to do and it is not for you to know. Not for you to know. You know when Paul even went to heaven and came back again. He had heard words which were not lawful for him to speak. He wasn't to say this again. The things he had heard up there it wasn't for us at all. The fellow in this meeting once said to me. Mr. Monument ask you a question. What were these words that Paul was not allowed to utter? There you are you see. You can be as dumb as that. I said would you like to know the words that Paul was not allowed to utter? I said I wouldn't tell you what to do well. You know bangles? I don't. You know the pier out yonder where the fish? Yes. He says we'll go down and walk along the pier. When you get to the end jump in and go down three times and come up twice and you'll hear all about it. Oh you do get asked daft questions you know. Let's get this settled now very carefully. That God is going to do things and it's not for you to know. What I do he said on one occasion thou knowest not now. Thou shalt know hereafter. Now I want you to get this. And he said unto them it is not for you to know the times or the seasons. Because the thing they were asking about the kingdom of Israel belongs to the times and the seasons. And I think we shouldn't get it mixed up too much you know. Which the father hath put in his own part. But ye shall receive power. This is something he says you need to know. Never mind about Israel. Never mind about the times and the seasons. This is something you need to know. Ye shall receive power. Yes this is what he's trying to get into them and this is what we want to get into ourselves this evening. Ye shall receive power. After that the Holy Ghost has come upon you. And ye shall receive power. You could ask the question when? After that the Holy Ghost has come upon you. And ye shall receive power. What for? To be witnesses unto me. Just to be witnesses. This is a thing we must be very careful but this is what we're going to learn tonight you see. I know about folks who talk about power for a whole lot of other things. Oh no this power they were to receive after that the Holy Ghost has come upon them was to make them witnesses. Ye shall be witnesses unto me. Now I want you to see where? Where are you to witness? And you can see first of all at Jerusalem. You see I think that was the most difficult place to witness. Sometimes God would like to take you over and fill you constantly with the Holy Ghost. So that you could witness at home. That's the most difficult place. And a whole lot of the wee ones who run screaming about about power. Their home doesn't hardly know that they're saved. Wee lasses who would come round to teach me wouldn't help their mothers or wash their dishes. Some witnesses I can tell you. Yes you know this power is for home. It's the most difficult place to witness I think. And then I think this. Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem. That's home. And in all Judea. That was the most dangerous place. Sometimes God takes a fellow. Or a woman. And he takes them over completely and he sends them to a dangerous place. He just can't pick the spot you know. Cause in Judea you could have lost your life if you were standing up and talking about Jesus every day. That was the place where you could have lost your life. And for all the preachers here I wish we could learn you can't have it all sunshine. It's not all party. It's not all laugh. You must be prepared to lay down your life at times. Then me last week. Don't go near kill me. You'll get taken and you'll be buried in some field not a bit of me. Away when the Lord wants me to. Oh for God's sake give up this kitten slipper business. Let's be men for the Lord. If he wants us to go where it's dangerous. Then we'll be his witnesses there. You see it's not only at home the most difficult place. And in Judea the most dangerous place. But in Samaria the most discouraging place. Oh I tell you you just get on among the Samaritans. I've been among them. They tell me those who know best that there's about 300 of them left. Pure Samaritans or real Samaritans. And I think if any of you have been there and looked and talked to the Samaritans. You must know that they're all out of their minds. I don't think there's a sane person in the whole tribe. They have bred and re-bred through each other. Until they look at you and you know right well. And I'll tell you this you couldn't make a mark on them. You try to talk to them. You know when you're sent to a hook. That you can't get light into and you can't get a foothold on. How discouraging it is. I think if I called Pat up here she could tell me more about this than I know. She's been out in Eritrea in the corner of Eritrea. And you couldn't make a mark on them it seems. It's sometimes God sends you there. Oh the most difficult place I think that's home. And to the most dangerous place that's Judea. And to the most discouraging place. And sometimes to the end of the earth. That's the most distant place. Oh yes when I was a way up inside the Arctic Circle once. With Norman Cordner. We met a fellow who had been right almost up a north pole. With a team of dogs looking for Eskimos to tell them about Christ. He'd been there for years. He could start you at the summit. Yes God might send you to a distant place. But it doesn't matter whether it's difficult. Or dangerous. Or discouraging or distant. There's power to meet it. It's what we were talking about on Sunday morning. Paul says I have learned. In whatsoever state I am. Therewith to be content. For I know. I can do. All things through Christ who strengthens me. This is what this power is for. So let's get this right you know. It's not just for swanking along with. It's power to witness. For him where he places us. Now I want you to see this power. They were to receive this power after that the Holy Ghost had come upon them. And if you examine these first seven chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. At least from chapter 2 to chapter 7. You will find that God gave them a new spiritual power. See supposing we go into chapter 2 just now. Have a look at chapter 2. Do you see verse 16? You know. We are going to look in a moment or two at Peter standing up with the eleven in verse 14. Lifting up his voice and saying Amen of Judea. And you know he looked at these men who were mocking him. And he said to them for these are not drunken as you suppose seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. And this is very thrilling to me because here is this big fisherman. I think he's a big fisherman. From Galilee and he's an on land and ignorant man. But he's got a power now. And this power is taking him over. And you know he's beginning to see things in the scriptures he never saw before. Who's all about Joel now. Standing up and preaching now says this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. See verse 25. He said to them. For David speaketh concerning him. Concerning the Lord Jesus. For I foresaw the Lord always before me. And you know where he is now don't you. He's away at Sam. 16. And if you go down the chapter a little bit you see verse 34. For David is not ascended into the heavens but he saith himself. The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand. And you know where he is now he's at Sam 110. And you know here's this big fisherman standing up. But you know he's got a new power. And it's spiritual power. And he can see things in the scriptures as quick as lightning. Didn't learn it in college. Learn it when you're gripped and mastered. And yield it to the Holy Ghost. That's what this power is for. Spiritual power. I want you to see that this power gave them a new verbal power. You see if any man will only sit down and look at these second chapter, third chapter, fourth chapter. And you'll find people preaching this sermon on the day of Pentecost. What a mighty message it was. A stammer in it. And then when you see him in chapter 3 he brings a message to the nation that would arouse you. I don't want to go into every detail of it. And then when you come to chapter 4 and he's before the Sanhedrin. Well it was then he blossomed out he stood up. Can I read you a bit of it? Let's go to chapter 4. And you see him standing in the midst of all this wonderful council at Jerusalem. This it will do us. Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said unto them. Ye rulers of the people. Because I think you know that when you're gripped and mastered by the Holy Ghost. You have respect for everybody around you. Make any mistakes about that. Ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel. If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man by what means he is made whole. Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel. That by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified. Whom God raised from the dead. Even by him doth this man stand here before you all. This is the stone which was set at Nott of you builders. Which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is none other name unto heaven given among men. Whereby you must be saved. And this is what it says. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John. And perceived that they were on land and ignorant. Then they marveled. They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus. It was just a mistake they were making. They had been with Jesus. If they had turned it round. And got it right. Jesus was with them. Just now. We're making a mistake. But that doesn't matter. What I'm after is the verbal bit. Oh this man can preach at Pentecost. Move the crowd. This man can preach this mighty sermon. In chapter 3. Word for word write down the chapter. This man can stand before the Son of Hebrew. He's got no notes. He's got no Bible. He's got no nothing. But see it come. It's this power. It's not giving up on the cross. And saying I did it. I did it. I've got it. I've had that till I'm sick. He's really preaching. And he knows the word too. And I'll tell you this. This was not only a new spiritual power. And a new verbal power. This was a new emotional power. Look if you go to chapter 4 again. Let's have a look at this just now. It says. Verse. Verse 31 will do us. They came home from the Sanhedrin. They were let go and they went to their own company. Verse 23 says and being let go they went to their own company. And reported on. And then they had a prayer meeting. And at the end of the prayer meeting. Verse 31. When they had prayed. The place was shaken where they were assembled together. For they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. I want you to see this you know. You know the hearts that were poured out. Their very souls were moved until the very place was moved. Oh yes. It's an emotional thing you know. Yes it is. Yes we want to do this properly this evening. We'll do these other bits as we get along. Let's go back again to chapter 2. Now you watch your notes and I'll sort of direct you through them. You see this power. It was power to meet the mockery of men. See this. We've started verse. Verse 8. Verse 7. And they were all amazed and marveled saying one to another. Behold are not all these which speak Galileans. Father knew these boys were Galileans. And how hear we every man in our own tongue. Wherein we were born. Oh just let's get that bit in. When we say our own tongue. When in we were born we mean a language. We're not meaning some alamala falakala business. We mean a definite language. These men standing round that day. As these men speak with what is called tongues. They speak with languages. In our own tongue wherein we were born. A language we were brought up in. Course they're up Jerusalem because it's Pentecost. And they're coming from different nations. And these fellows are able to speak in the very tongue wherein they were born. See verse 8. How speak we every man. How hear we every man in our own tongue. Wherein we were born. Parthians and Medes and Elamites and dwellers in Mesopotamia and Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia. Pargaia, Pamphylia and Egypt and the parts of Libya and Cyrene. Strangers of Rome, Jews, Proselytes, Cretes, Arabians. We do hear them speak in our tongues. And there are 16 different nationalities mentioned there. And these Galileans could speak now in a split second 16 different languages. Ah but they were languages. Ah but they were preaching the gospel in these languages. The wonderful works of God. That's what they were doing. Oh we'll come to these sign gifts when we get along a little bit in this. This is not what I'm after just now. They said verse 12 and they were all amazed. And were in doubt saying one to another. What meaneth this? And we've got to answer this. What meaneth this? These Galileans being able to speak in these languages. What meaneth this? Now others mocking said let's get up a bit in verse 13. These men are full of new wine. That's why I can take up the argument about wine. You see you can't get drunk on new wine. Others mocking said. This is just mockery. They're full of new wine. Oh when the grape is freshly squeezed in its new wine. It is not alcoholic yet you know. Oh we're having a bit of mockery here. These men are full of new. That's just mockers. Forget the word mockers. And that's the word I want to linger with just for a moment. Because if you're a servant of God it doesn't make a matter where you are. You work in the business. You're the farmer. You're in the markets. You're here. You're there. You're everywhere. If you're a businessman. You know there's always somebody will mock you. You're going to get this you know. And some of us can't take mocking. We need power to take it. That's if you're a man at all. If you're a wee fella and you're afraid you just crawl into a corner. But if you're a man you know you're almost ready for battle. But you need power to stand up to the mocking. To meet the mocking. That's what this power is for. Old Peter was a rough man but they didn't catch him out here. But Peter standing up with the eleven lifted up his voice and said unto them you men of Judea. And he went on with the sermon. Oh yes you know. It takes power to meet this mockery. You see this bit. Let's look at chapter 2 and verse 22. I like this bit. When Peter was preaching here. He said ye men of Israel. Hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth. A man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you. As ye yourselves also know. You know this is power to present Christ. This is not talking about I. This is presenting Christ. We must learn to present. If this power is going to work in us at all we are going to exhaust Christ. Oh I hear lots of things as far from that. I heard a fellow saying you know you want to get this thing that I've got and the cross doesn't mean anything anymore. Oh it's a silly thing isn't it. But I can tell him he's going to be in a fix when we start singing in heaven. Because we'll be singing about the cross. It's trite I tell you. Let's see this for ourselves. Let's have a look at this. This is power to meet the miracles and it's power to present the person of Christ. See chapter 2 and verse 42. Have a look at it for the moment. I think we need to see this. Let's look at 41. Peter has done preaching now. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized. Can I ask some of you here, are these babies that's getting baptized all believers? Oh try to argue with me I'll put you in a fix. They were able to listen to the message. And they that gladly received his message and his message was Christ. And they that gladly received the Christ that Peter preached were baptized. These are not babies. These are believers. And everywhere through this book it's believers that get baptized not babies. It's believers. It says then they that gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day they were added unto them above three thousand souls. The church of Christ was growing because of this mighty preaching. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine. I want you to get that bit first. Because I can tell you this about this assembly here. Unless you're prepared to bow to the apostles doctrine in this book. And Paul wrote 14 letters in this book. And James wrote a wonderful letter. And 1st and 2nd and 1st John and Revelation was written by John. And 1st and 2nd Peter came from Peter. And in these letters you get the apostles teaching. Unless you're prepared to bow to everything in the apostles doctrine. You can't have fellowship here. You get that because we mean every word of that. Let me tell you what it says just before you know it. It says they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship. Oh fellowship comes after you bow to the doctors. If you come in here and you don't believe in the virgin birth we don't want you. You're not welcome at all. And if you try to make a little of the cross we'll haunt you. That's what we'll do. So we have no nonsense about it you know. You will bow to everything in this book. Just like I have to do. Or you won't have fellowship here we'll put you out. Sometimes I have to put my arm around somebody and say listen you sit down here a minute. I hear you're doing this. Is that right? Well now I'll show you where you're wrong. And unless you're prepared to put it right. I'll need your recognition this night. Now we have rulers in this place. Oh let's go back to how we got on at the beginning. They bowed to the apostles doctrine. Then fellowship came. Then you can't have it without it. And you know there was baking of bread and prayers in those days. You see it was this power to bless the babes of the flock that did this. This is how you bring up the babes of the flock. It takes power to do this. And be done by weaklings. I'm not a bit of it. You never run a big assembly like this and all the folks we have as you've got weaklings as rulers. Look after the flock. Yes. You see chapter 2 in verse 45. It says in verse 44. And all that believed were together and did all things common. And sold their possessions and goods. And parted them to all men as every man of meat. You know we mustn't get these possessions out of balance here. You know it just means that one or two of them had possessions in different parts of the world maybe. If you look down you'll find out that when we come to the end of chapter 4. Let's have a look at this in case you would think there was a mistake here. Verse 33. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them. And brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles feet. And distribution was made unto every man according to his need. And Jesus who by the apostles was certainly in Barnabas which is being interpreted the son of Constellation the Levite. Of the country of Cyprus having land there. Sold it. And it just doesn't mean you sell everything out of the house. They were possessions some of them aren't they didn't just need. You know we can gather far too much at times. These men were prepared to sell. For gifts. Let me tell you this it takes power to do that. You find out that it takes power. Do you see this power? It's power to meet the mockery of men. It's power to plainly present the person of Christ. It's power to bless the babes of the flock. It's power to share the silver with the saints. See chapter 2 and verse 47. Let's go back there. And you'll find that they're praising God. And having favor with all the people. You know it takes power to worship God. The way that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. It's not just to put on a fair you know. Oh no I think you're getting the hold of this. You know they talk to me sometimes about this power and they just want it for a certain I think glorification of themselves. But when I examine it you know it's power for all these things. You see verse 3 chapter 3 verse 1. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer. Because I'll tell you this. When the Holy Ghost comes upon a man and he gets power. And the Holy Ghost has his way in that life. I'll tell you where you'll land every prayer meeting night. You'll land up a prayer meeting. And sir if you don't go to the prayer meeting. Let me tell you there's something wrong with you. You may come in and have your Bible in front of the pages. But there's something wrong with you. Don't tell me you're controlled by this stuff. You know I find some who start to argue about the prayer meeting. They say so and so's there and he takes a long time to pray. I can tell you the devil's there too. He's always there. He never misses. I can tell you they went up to the temple. And I'll tell you there was a lot of boys in the temple that were no use. Old Calphus was there. That's a good enough argument for staying away. But when the Holy Ghost has control of you you go. Yes it is that's the sort of power it is. Not just power that you just talk about for your own glory. You get along to the prayer meeting. See this we're in chapter 4 now. Let's go to chapter 4 and finally get through these chapters. And Peter and John are arrested here. As they speak unto 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. Of course the Sadducees would be grieved. Because they didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold on to the next day. For it was now even time. Albeit many of them which heard the word believed. The number of the men was about five thousand. Came to pass on the morrow that their rulers and elders and scribes and Amos the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander. And as many as were of the kindred of the high priest were gathered together in Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst they laughed by what power or by what means have you done this. Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost. You know it's hard to stand steadfastly before the scorners. You know it's so easy to sing hymns, shout hallelujah and do a thousand things. And then one day after work you're face to face with two or three boys who are going to say things. And you're almost faint you know. And you're not a big man for Christ that you're pretending you are. Oh this power will make you that sort of man. You don't run away at all. You stand up there. That's the day you stand up. That sort of power. Stand up and talk to the whole lot of them. Could you see this Sanhedrin I'm taught that they sat in a semicircle in one of the rooms of the temple. There were seventy one of them and the high priest was in the middle. And there were so many old Jewish lawyers there. So many Jewish priests there. So many Jewish elders there. Making seventy one. And these two men Peter and John are standing in the middle. And these men are determined to take their lives. And Peter standing up you know filled with the Holy Ghost. He talked back in a way they never forgot. Wonderful it was. That's the sort of power it is. That's the power. Have you got this power? You see. When we come to chapter five. What a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira his wife sold the possession. And kept back part of the price. His wife therefore being privy to it and brought a certain part. And laid it at the apostles feet. But Peter said Ananias. Why haste and fill thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost? You know. Sin must be sentenced. And probably this is the most difficult thing in any assembly. And you know where it's whitewashed and put under the carpet. And pulled through and all the rest of it. I'll tell you the assembly will be destroyed. And you know it takes power to look at somebody you love. And somebody you've worked with for years. And somebody you respect. But they have fallen into sin. You say brother. We've got to put you under the fellowship. And then you get laid with God. It's a terrible horrible moment you know. It's easy to say Hallelujah. But it's not so easy to take your stand for Christ. And do what the Lord wants you to do. For a little laugh and a laugh and a whole lump of you don't watch. Oh yes. And I want you to get this. Let's go to chapter 5 a bit further down. It says in great fear. Verse 11. And great fear came upon all the church and upon as many as had these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest does no man join himself unto them. And why did I stop and say that you know. Because sometimes some of my friends come round to argue with me. And say you know you've got a fellowship and everybody must be saved. And they must be shining for the Lord. And they must be towing the line. And they must do this and that and the other. And I say that's wrong. Why? Because when we've got a fellowship and we've got a ledger where we have the names of all the believers. But then we have a ledger where we have the names of unbelievers who come to the assembly. And they've got two ledgers here. And the man who came to argue with me about this I said it didn't work in the old age you know. Because of the rest does no man join himself unto them. Don't be coming round with that friend. If a man doesn't love our Lord Jesus Christ he's outside altogether. He'd be beset to be in here. You don't have all saved people on the row. And there's no talk in the early church of two rows. Of the rest does no man join themselves. They were afraid to come. Oh you need to get them saved I would think. Did you see this bit? Look at chapter 6 let's go on to chapter 6. And I think this is lovely. Down at verse 7. And the word of God. I'm going too far. Verse chapter 5 and verse 41. You know when they stood before this great council here. And they beat them and let them go. It says in verse 40. And to him they agreed and when they had called the apostles and beaten them that's the bit. They commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council. You need to get this bit. Oh that we could see them coming out of the council door and round the corner. And you know their backs were bleeding. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. You know that's proud to suffer and smile for the Saviour. And you see them going round the corner and all getting together. And they rejoiced that they're counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Because this departed out of Christianity. Are we prepared to suffer? My dear friends this is the power we're talking about. I think we've got a different idea of this power in some places. It is a power. We're at chapter 6 now. And here's Stephen. Versing it. And Stephen fool of faith and power. I want you to get that. Just get the word fool. Not just failed. Fool. Saturated with faith and power. Did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there are those certain of the synagogue which is called the synagogue of the libertines. And the Cyrenians. And the Alexandrians. And of them of Cilicia and Asia. Disputing with Stephen. You always get people to come to dispute. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Can you see the power? It's power to confound the contenders now. When you come to chapter 7 you know it's the story of Stephen's death. And how he was stoned at the end. Do you remember the end? Verse 58. Chapter 7. They cast him out of the city and stoned him. And witnesses laid down their clothes at the young man's feet as they must stop. And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus. I think Russell likes to read it over again. Calling upon God. And saying Lord Jesus. Because he seemed to know that Lord Jesus was God. Stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneedled down and cried with a loud voice. Lord lay not this sin to the judge. See the power here? It's power to die defeating the destroyer. Oh look let's take the notes and go through them. And take these 7 chapters. And see this power at work. And don't let's stop talking riddles. And come back next week and we'll do the baptism of the spirit and you'll see how it all works out together.