The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-05

it in any case, (Gen. |: 2O) In preaching
to them Jesus Peter holds before them their
own sins.
V. 24-The statement with regard to Je'
sus was that God had raised him from the
dead. This fact his hearers were not 80 ready
to admit, as the preceding. Yet Peter not
only declares it, but asserts that it was i'm
possible that lie should have continued under
the power of death. 1t was impossible be-
cause of his deity, doctrine taught by the
application of the name " Lord" to him
from the prophecy, and now intimated to his
hearers. 1t was also impossible that ne
could save sinners who called upon him, if
he continued under the power of death. This
impossibility on these grounds he goes on to
establish from Scripture.
In these three verses (22-24) We have a
comprehensive summary of gospel truth: Je-
sus-a man partaking Of our nature-in
humble position bearing our sorrows-yet
divinely attested by his miracles-crucifed
according to Gods own purpose in accom-
plishing redemption-yet so that man, every
man, should feel that his sins nailed him
there, and should look to him whom he has
pierced-and finally triumphing over death
as our Redeemer. This is the doctrine OF
Christ crucifed as it was preached in the
frat sermon of Rew dispenSation, and as
it is to be psa ll the final coming OF
the Saviour. yoever shall call upon
Him, with these truths received into the heart
shall be saved. This is the gospel that the
Spirit on that day applied to SO many hearts
AnOther Prophecy, vs.. 1928.
V. 25.-Peter quotes from the xvi Psalm
to establish the impossibili.y of Jesus re-
naming under the power of death, and hence
to prove the fact of his resurrection. The
quotation also affords farther proof of his
messiahship.
V. 26.-"My flesh shall rest in hope"
The body, as distinguished from the soul,
should rest in the grave in confident expec-
tation of o resurrection.
V. 27.-" Because" &C., expresses the
ground of this confidence. Hell or
hades means the place of departed spirits,
the state beyond the grave, not distinguish
ing between the place of happiness aud the
place of misery. "Holy One is an appro-
pirate designation of Christ.
V. 2S.-This verse presents the joyous
contrast to being left to perish in the grave.
The prophecy explained and applied, vs..
1892.
The selection for the lesson closes with
v. %; but the conclusion of Peters dis
course is too important to be altogether
omitted.
V. 29.-Being about to apply the proph-
ecy just quoted to Jesus, Peter again concil-
iates his hearers by addressing them as
brethren" and asking to be allowed t.
"speak freely" The prophecy could not
apply to David, for he died and was buried,
and his sepulchre was still with him, His
body must therefore have seen corruption.
V. S0.-David wrote the Psalm as a
prophet under Inspiration, and in view Of
Gods covenant promise to him, that of his
seed should be raised up Christ, the promised
Messiah, to sit upon the throne of the spir-
tual kingdom, III Sam. viii: 12-16) This
gives us a clue to the Interpretation of the
Messianic Psalms. David beginning to write
of himself sometimes utters what can only
apply to ga man of high degree" Il Chron.
xvii: ~ In such case we must under
stand that he has passed over from David
the type to Christ the antelope.
V. 31.-Peter in this verse merely shows
the application of the Psalm to the Messiah
Christ but has not yet mentioned Jesus.
V. 32-He goes now step farther and
maintains that Jesus is the person meant
God had raised him, as was foretold of the
Messiah in these Scriptures, of which fact
the apostles themselves were witnesses.
V. 33. Having thus proved the application
of the Psalm to Jesus, he asserts that the
great event of that day, the outpouring of
the Spirit, fOretold by Joel, found it's expla-
nation in the exaltation of Jesus. He bad
received the Holy Spirit, pledged him in the
covenant of grace, purchased by his atoning
work, and was now bestowing it upon the
Church.
A Third Prophecy, vs., 81, 35
Peter confirms his position as to Cbrists
exaltation by quotation from Psalm cx.-
This could not apply to David, but only to
one who had assembled to heaven, that is,
j Jesus.
Conclusion, v. 80.
This verse is grand and fitting conclusion
from the whole argument. His hearers have
now before them Jesus of Nazareth, exalted
as both Lord and Christ; and they are piled
at the very last with the charge of having
been his murderers
Remark-The Bstion given will sug
gest many practical lessons, which our space
does not permit US to state distinctly.