Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-04-25
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. 0. SHERBURN.

May q: Peter Preaching to the GentiIes-Aets OJ-4
The events of this lesson. in their prac
cical bearing on the progress of Christian
ity, are of tho deepest significance. For
nearly two thousand years the Jewish
people had been accustomed to think of
themselves as the peculiar people of sod.
and to consider the rites of their religion
as the prime condition 70 favor with him.
The disciples Of Jesus shared these feel.
ings; and, though Jesus had by life and
precept taught them q broader faith, they
we're slow to overcome the exclusivenes
which had been so long fostered among
their people. 1t is doubtless true that
some of the evangelists and lay workers
that had gone abroad were ess particular
in the matter of Jewish ohurchism than
was Peter. But it was necessary that the
infant church should come to know, and
teach. that Christ came to furnish saliva
lion for all. Hence the exclusiveness of
the leaders themselves must be broken
down.
Peter is selected Us being leader Of
leaders. IF ne can master the lesson,
soon its precepts will become the standard
of action with all. Peter is set to learn
this lesson in an opportune time He is
away from the headquarters of Judaism.
He has been specially honored and aided
in his recent ministrations. has found
mighty help in answer to prayer. His
experiences at LYDIA and Joppa had been
such as ought to put 4 man in frame to
listen very attentively TO the voice of God.
Under these circumstances a diviney sent
object lesson Is given to Peter, intended to
aid in overcoming his deep seated race
prejudice At the same time a heavenly
messenger lis sent TO 4 devout Roman
centurion at Cesarea. directing him to
send to Joppa for Peter; that he NAV be
instructed by him in the things of God; !;
and telling him precisely where. in the
town, Peter is 10 be found. The messen-
gers are dispatched at once to Joppa. and
on their arrival. after q Journey of some
thirty miles, they ind Peter Just now
prepared by the vision ne had seen to
receive their message. and 90 with them
on his first mission to the Gentiles. The
lesson opens with Peters Introduction to
the house of the centurion, Cornelius, at
Cesarea. On meeting him Cornelius was
inclined to do him special reverence. but
Peter restrained him, and inquired for
what purpose they had sent for him. The
centurion recounts the steps by which he
had been led, and declares that they are
all present before God to hear all things
that Peter is divineiy commanded to
communicate.
There are many instructive suggestions
in the portrait of Cornelius as it is riven
Us here. He was devoutly waiting upon
God. and his life was filed up with deeds
of mercy. While he vas fasting and prav.
ing the knowledge of where he might ind
needed spiritual help came to him. More
than this, he had used his influence with
his friends to have them receive the light
as well as himself. No better statement of
the proper disposition of a congregation
waiting to hear the truth, was ever given.
than Cornelius gave of those gathered in
his house. First, they were cons sciouslv
in the presence Of God. Second. they
wanted to hear Gods word; and. third,
they desired its full declaration. The Holy
Spirit would come vastly oftcner upon
congregations at present, if their attitude
we're more like that of those who met at
she Centurion house.
Thus made acquainted with the desire
OF the assembly, and with the evidence of
Gods hand in the whole matter, Peter
hesitates 40 longer. He declares that his
old race prejudice is broken down. Would
that he could always, have maintained the
high realization which he reached under
these special circumstances! At once he
commences to preach Jesus unto them,
declaring that he is Lord of all. The
passage from the Both to 39th verses.
presents some peculiarities of construction.
and is one OF the passages which is fixed
up" considerably in the revised version.
We need not enter into the details of
criticism it is enough to state that the
passage only presents. IN the most con-
densed form. the pith of Peters sermon
on this occasion. He credits the audience
with knowing the main facts concerning
the mission. life, death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. These things they doubtless
did know, in part, as the fame of him
went all abroad during his life time. And
it had now been some time since those
who we're scattered abroad. went eyerv-
where preaching Jesus. Peter, like all the
early preachers put great stress upon the
fact Of Christ's resurrection, and gives his
Gentle audience assurance on this point,
from the fact that be. with his fellow
apostles. ate and drank with Jesus after
his resurrection. He next declares his
commission to preach that Jesus is the
divinely appointed Judge of the living and
the dead. Hero the whole audience would
be brought into personal relations with