The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-26

sistent with the Scripture accounts of mira
cles to refer it to faith on the part of the
healed man. Our Lord always required
faith, when the afflicted were healed, in order
TO set forth faith as essential to salvation.
We have no evidence that the Apostles de-
parted from this custom. And we saw in
the last lesson how Peters course tended to
develop the faith of the lame man. This
faith was "by him, that is Jesus was the
author of this faith. In curing him He
wrought faith in him.
They are persuaded to repent, VS.. 1921.
V. II. Peter did not leave his hearers in
despair, under the charge of aggravated
guilt which he had brought against them,
but in order to persuade them to repentance,
mentions as pslliatiOn their ignorance
And that he had spoken in tenderness and
not in anger, in making the charge, he as
sures them by calling them brethren. -
The ignorance mentioned was their igno-
rance that he was the Lord of glory. They
were not ignorant of the fact that they were
guilty in calling for his blood. The pallia-
ton of Ignorance seems also to extend to
their rulers, who were probably not present,
but at this very moment in hostile council
in the halreGHazith near by. Compare iv:
~ Though guilty, they knew not what
they did, duke xiii: a. but "did it ig-
norantly in unbelief" Il Tim. i : 13, for
had they known, they would not have cruci-
fed the Lord of glory" q Cor. ii f; 8
| V. Is. Although they had put him to
death Gods purpose in providing Saviour
was thereby executed. This had been fore
told by call the prophets" The prophets
are viewed as body; and it is not necessa-
rily implied that each and every one of them
foretold the death of Christ, yet this is true
of most of them.
V. 49, In view therefore of the facts
mentioned; that they were guilty and needed
pardon that an exalted Saviour was offered
them, able to save to the uttermost; and
that they had not, in their ignorance so sin
ned against light, as to be hardened and given
over to judicial blindness in view of these
facts they are exhorted to repentance; IRE.
pent ye therefore" "Be converted" is ac'
tive in the original, meaning "turn." Re-
pent" applies chiefly to the inward change,
and +" turn to the outward; yet they can
not be separated. Either one involves the
other.
The consequence of this would be remis
sion Of sins, set forth in the strong expires
sion, "blotted cut" Interpreters argue
that 'when in this verse should be "that,
or $50 that -" that times of refreshing
may come" Spiritual blessings, refreshing
to the soul, are meant, and, as the exhorta-
ton is to repent and turn, in order that these
times may come, and manifestly so come that
they shall show them, we must not place the
fulfment of the promise in the distant fu-
ture At least the beginning of the times Of
refreshing are coin Incident with their repent.
ing, though they may extend into the indef'
mite future. They would at once erjoy the
refreshing of forgiveness and love.
V. 20. This verse has the same construc-
ton with the last clause of the preceding
verse, and should read, and that He may
send" 60 This sending of Jesus is such as
to be the basis of the exhortation to repent
ance; and yet the next verse seems to apply
it to his final coming. The early Christians
looked upon Christs promised coming as al
ways at hand and they were taught to look
for and hasten to that day, III Peter iii : r.
Thus viewed, and to every individual this is
the true view, it is strong incentive to re-
pentance, as well as to faithful Christian
walk.
v. 81. Although Jesus should be thus
| looked for, heaven must receive him. This
necessity resulted from his having completed
his work. A just God must accept the work,
aud glorify him again with the glory which
he had before the world began. He was to
remain in heaven "until the times of the
restitution Of all things" The most natural
Interpretation of this expression is, the COM
pletion of his scheme of redemption, when he
shall have restored all things by the ingath-
ering Of all his elect people. If this be the
meaning, then the second coming of Christ
will be when the work of redeeming men is
completed.
Prophecies and Promises, vs.. 22-26
V. %. Peter corfrms his promise of a
Saviour, by quoting messianic prophecy,
as he had done in his former discourse. This
is from Deut. xviii: Is, 10. Stephen re-
ferred to the same passage wi: 81 It's
application to Christ is obvious. Peters
hearers had, no doubt, been accustomed to
apply it to the promised Messiah. He pre-
sents it as authority for demanding their
subsection to Jesus. "Like unto me, may
Gerry the comparison of Moses and Christ
no farther than this; that as Moses was of
their brethren, 50 Christ took part of their
nature.
V. %. This verse contains warning not
to reject Christ. "Shall be destroyed from
amorg the people" means shall be excom
muuicated. Those who would not hear and
obey Christ should be cut off from the PEG.
pie Of God The whole nation, 50 far as
they neglect Jesus, were to be cast OF by