The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-01-27

e4-28.
(From Lesson Helper Quarterly, by permission O
II. S. Hoffman, Philadelphia, pubisher.l
Notes-Cesarea Philippi, or Pancas, for
merly dedicated to Pan, and supposed to b.
tho same as the ancient Leshem. 1t was en-
larged and beautified by Philip, the tetrcrch
and by him named Cesarea in honor o.
Caesar Tiberius 1t was called Phlippi t.
distinguish it from Cesarea Palestine. TIL,
Son Of Man, l. O., the Second Adam, the title
by which Jesus always speaks Of himself
Bar-Jonah, l. g., son of Jonas. This rock, Oh
this truth, concerning myself. Gates of hell
|. e., the place of departed spirits-especially
evil spirits. Savorest not j. O., dost not rel
ish or desire. Come after me, or be my dis
ciple. Profited, or what shall he gain by it.
Own soul, /. c., his own true life
V. -. We are now entering the second
division of the record of the public ministry
of Jesus AS the first commenced with the
attestation of the father to his sonship, Matt.
iii, II, SO this commences with similar
attestation on the part of one of his apostles.
Up to this time no such declaration appears
on the part of the people OF of his disciples.
And it came in answer to his own question.
Jesus asked his disciples what the people said
about him? Whom did they take him to be.
V. H. And the answer was varied in it's
tone. Some, probably the Herodians, said
John the Baptist. They held that he was
risen from the dead, and SO accounted for the
mighty works which Jesus wrought. Others
said he was Elias, or Elijah, while yet others
said he was jeremiah, or one of the other
prophets. All gave him a high position
while, probably, the popular judgment was
much lowered by the opposition of the Scribes
and Pharisees to belief in his Messiahship.
V. Is. But Jesus would not rest he,c. At
once he made a personal matter. ",yho say
ye that am?' thus pointing the great truth
application is always the paramount concern.
In that line it is Of small consequence to us
what others may think or say, but it is of in
finite moment to ourselves that we each ore
think and speak the real truth about Christ.
V. 16 And Peter, moved with sudden in
spiration, at once replies? "Thou art the
Christ the Son of the living Cod" It was
glorious confession; radiant with the bright
est beam of the truth and instinct with its
mightiest power. Through the ages it has
floated, banner like, at the head of the army
of the church, and underneath its folds the
battle has always waged with tho most IN
yielding severity. We note two points in
this confession, l.. e.,
l. Its positiveness. There was no hating
in the march of Peters thought; no unce,-
tainty in its tone; no reservation in its state
ment. 1t was clear, bold and ringing There
was no paltering with it in double sense.
"Thou art the Christ" It was simple and
truth.
V. II. How clear, how distinctly lined it
was. 1t was not taught him by flesh and
blood. Man had not taught it to him:
ther had he wrought it out by process of
his own mind. 1t was given him from above
my father which is in heaven" hath showed
l. The title Jesus lives the church. Its
my Church" 1t is'so in every regard. The
idea of it is mine. 1t was with me before
The world began. In the silence of eternity
it was with me. l saw it, and knew it, and
Owed it from everlasting. The purchase of
it was mine. gave myself for it, bought it
with my blood. II will build up my church."
Every living stone laid upon the true founda-
Jon is my work. And the keeping of it is
nine. Unseen my hand shall be upon it, and
L will keep it night and day." 1t is all
nine.
2. The foundation of it.. "This rock"
Other foundation can no man lay than that |
S laid, which is Christ Jesus" Cor. iii, II.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, behold,
lay in Zion for foundation stone, tried |
'toae, precious corner stone a sure founda-
,ion," Is. xviii, 16, and Pet. ii, A..
8. The builder of it. 81 will build" etc.
he is both the foundation of his church and |
he builder Of it. On himself, as the sure
foundation, he lays each believer. There he
lbides Thence he receives the new life by |
which as living stone he grows up into |
loly temple in the Lord. With his own hand,
~ his own spirit, he imparts to each his own
life, and of all he says, because live, va
hall live also"
L. The safety of it. "The gates of hell |
hall not prevail against it," How can they? |
f the church is his, if he is the foundation of |
and the builder of it, if he keep it, how can
t be otherwise than safe? He'll is hades, or |
he place of departed spirits-especially here,
# evil spirits. Gates were the place in
lncient cities where counsel was taken and
public measures determined on "The gates
# hell" therefore, mean all that the powers
# evil can devise and execute against my
hurch In the midst of it all the church is
afe evermore.
V. 20. Jesus would not have his enemies
oused into undue activity against him be-
ore the time; but would have every ques-
ion concerning himself to be worked out by
hem under the quiet influence of his own
ife. They must judge from that in the light
+ their own Scriptures.
V. 21-23. In these verses we have
Our Lords prediction of his death;
Peters protest against it; and
Our Lords rebuke of Peter.
V. "a. Here follows the universal law OF
he Kingdom Peter did not want to admit
he thoughts of God about the Cross. He
lad much pleasanter thoughts and schemes
# his own. And SO he must deny himself.
And so must every one who would be the
4ord's disciple.
V. $685. We must remember that, as our
lord spoke them, ''life' and ''sour' are one
md the same word. That ''life" is used in
wo senses-a higher and lower; bodily
md a spiritual sense--and that our true life
II soul may be lost And what will every
hing else profit us if that is donel What
hall we give in exchange for it, For that
will survive when the Master comes again.
md what will COMPENSATE for a lost souls
GENERAL LESSONS