The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-26
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
NorEs ON TIE LESSON.

Peter charges las hearers pith the death Of
Jesus, VS.. 1915.
Whilst in these verses prominence Is given
to the charge against the hearers of being
guilty of the death of Jesus, there is pre-
sented in contrast With this the fact that God
had raised him up as triumphant Saviour.
Compare Peters first discourse, ii: %, "a
V. II. Peters leading character again
brings him forward as chief speaker. He
answered either their real inquiries about
the miracle, or what was implied in their
looks. They should not attribute, as their
wonder seemed to do, such a miracle to them,
the apostles, who were only the instruments,
but should look to a divine power; that is,
as he proceeds to explain, to Jesus.
V. Is. Peter uses their national deaigna-
ton of God, "the God of Abraham" &C.,
to show that he is not introducing new re-
igion in preaching to them Jesus, "Glori-
fed" should ret here be taken in the limited
sense of honored," and be referred to this
miracle. It's common meaning of exaltation
to glory, including possibly all Chriat's pre-
paratory work, best suits the context; for
this he Immediately afterwards mentions in
contrast with their rejection of this Saviour.
Peter now again brings against Israel, as he
had done in his first discourse, the charge of
being guilty Of the death of Jesus. He
presses the charge upon their consoiences BY
stating several aggraVating circumstances:
a. They denied their Saviour. o. This
was done in presence of Plate, heather
judge. (8) And that too when he had de-
cided to release ham.
VS.. IA, Is. Other aggravating circun-
stances are given in these verses. a. They
"denied the Holy One and the Just" He
does not stop to prove that these attributes
properly belonged to Jesus; for their awak
ened conscienees admitted what they had de-
MED in his life time. o. They preferred
murderer. This contrast must have been
piercing home-thrust to these meu, who had
listened to the persuasions of their rulers,
and called for the blood of an innocent map,
and asked that murderer might be released.
(6.) They had killed the Prince of life. The
marginal translation, - Author, is to be
preferred. Jesus is the author of both ma
tional and spiritual life. The browning ag-
grayatiOn in this climax of puDgeut charges
is, that they put to death Him who bad
brought life and Immortality to light in the
gospel.
In contrast with all this stands Gods
treatment of his Son. He had raised Him
from the dead; Of which fact the Apostles
we're witnesses But although this was
strong contrast, Gods hOnoring him set
against their rejection, it was not brought
forward chiefly for the honor conveyed by
the contrast, but to present to them Sa
viour raised from the dead and hence able to
save. His resurrection, here brought prom
inently forward, is the browning fact of his
history, because it teaches the browning doc
trine, the acceptance Of bis work.
The p0Vsr Of HIS name.
V. Is. Peter now explains the miracle,
which had given occasion for his address 1t
had been wrought in the name of Jesus, of
whose death and resurrection he had spoken.
Through faith in his name, may refer to