Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-01-24
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN.
Feb. :The Prince OF Life-Acts 3:12-2l.

of last week. The man healed of hi
lameness. together with Peter and John
the agents in his healing, form the center
of an amazed group ofpeople in Solom ,n'
porch. Peter saw the interest which tht
manifestation of divine power had created
and wishing to turn the thoughts of tho
people from themselves to the real source
of the healing power he began to address
the multitude He had then good oppor
tunly to get some credit to himself fol
what was wrought; but he wished rather
that Christ might be exalted. Hence he
at once set about the task of preaching
Jesus to the crowd gathered about them
He declares in the pl finest terms that the
work which had caused them to marvel is
Gods work. He speaks of God in such a
way as to bring him most vividly before
the minds OF his audience-"The God ol
our fathers" =" Every Jew locked back to
a won derful history wherein God had in a
remarkable manner revealed himself to
his people. Peter spoke in Il way to
bring this national history afresh to the
minds Of his hearers. There is certain
adrotness in this opening of his address
which is wise and commendable. Every
speaker needs in some way to create a
bond of sympathy between himsefan his
hearers. while Peter wastes no time in
such an effort. he yet accomplishes the
purpose in very few words. But while
he declares that the work is Gods work,
he also asserts that it was wrought TO
clorify his Son Jesus. The mention of
this name would have so enraged many of
them that they would have heard no
more, if Peter had not first ascribed all
the power to the God of their fathers. Hav-
ing the attention of the people, Peter pro-
ceeds in the plainest manner to charge them
with the guilt of numbering the innocent
Jesus 1t is not likely that those present
were members of the council that con.
demned him, nor were they the soldiers
who nailed him to the cross, but it will be
remembered that Pilates consent to the
crucifxion was finally obtained by the
clamor of the populace; and it is only
natural to suppose. that, among those who
were drawn together by curiosity to see
the wonder wrought upon the lame man,
were many who helped to swell the clam
ors by which the governor was swayod on
the day of the crucifxion. At least they
had raised no voice against the iniquity of
that day; and silent looking on when
crime is committed is the same as partici-
patton in it. While Peter directly charges
home this guilt, personally and collect
lively upoh his hearers, he does not spend
time in descanting upon the enormity of
their crime, but at once follows out the
history of Christ and asserts his resurrec-
ton, and declares that he and John are
witnesses to this fact. Any one can see
that there is marked boldness about this
declaration.
Among the Jews the report had gone
all abroad that the body of Jesus was
stolen from the tomb by his followers
Now, scarcely two months after the event
in the very place where the facts lranspired,
Peter confidently asserts that such report
is lie, and atlirms that God did really
raise Jesus from the dead. If ever. in any
place, this preaching of the resurrection
was to be refuted, or oven disputed. this
would seem to he the time and place; but
it does not appear that a single voice was
raised against it. Then Peter comes to
the application of his statements to the
present case. He boldly asserts that faith
in the name of Jesus has made the man
whole, whom they knew to have been a
cripple from his birth The faith which
was tho procuring cause of the healing
was vainly exercised by the disciples,
though they had succeeded in inspiring in
the man an expectation that he was to
receive something. Peter speaks conf
IDENTITY of the work as genuine case of
healing, no temporary relief, or momen-
tary ability to walk tbut " perfect sound
ness.' just such work as God delights to
perform.
At this point the tone of Peters address
changes, He had made keen thrust
with the sword Of truth, and now seeks to
point those who had felt its keenness to
pardon and hope. He terms them all
brethren as being Jews with him, and
shows them ground Of hope because they
had acted ignorantly in rejecting Christ.
Peter has very broad charity now under
the influence of the Holy Spirit. He even
grants that the rulers of the Jews were in
Ignorance about Christ. This we do not
question, but it often appears as though it
was ignorance that refused to be enight-
ened. However, it was doubtless true
that with their understanding of the
prophecies there was such ground of
stumbling as would leave hope for them,
it, seeing their error, they truly repcnted.
The Jews failed to see tha' the Christ of
their Scriptures was to be humbled and to
suffer. Peter declares that this was shown
in all the prophets, and that God has
fulfilled these prophecies according to
their plainest meaning. Hence he exhorts
them to repent and be converted or turn
again. as we have lit in the Revised
Version. This term il favorite. one in
the Acts. 1t is said to be used eleven
times in the book, and always with the
meaning of turning aabout in spiritual
sense, and facing in the opposite direction.
This penitence and turning about are put
as conditions to pardon and spiritual
refreshing, (for the "when" of our old
version is far better rendered by $50 that"
in the new. $50 that the time of
refreshing may come" They are sure to
follow when men repent and turn to God.
The two last verses of this lesson have
been considered difficult. of explanation,
because it has been assumed that Peter