The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-21
Tessol1 Series for 1888.
FIRST QUARTER.
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
January 20, 1888.
LESSON V.-PETER C0NFESSING
CHRIST.
BY REV. ROBERT T. POLK.
Eessom Series for 1888.
THE APOSTLES CREED.
Matthew xvi. 1921


impatient to declare him as their king, and
the malice of the rulers, who sought to de-
stroy him, we are told that JESUS came into
the region of C@sarea Philippi, an ancient
city in the northern extremity of Palestine
(see map), where Herod the Great built
marbls temple in honor of the Emperor,
Augustus Caesar, and which his son Philip
enlarged and beautifed, and named in honor
of Tiberius Cesar, and which was called
Philips Cesarea, to distinguish it from the
great metropolis by that name on the Med
iterranean. Here JESUS embraced an oppor-
tunity to discover the real opinions of his
chosen disciples respecting the Messiah,
whom they believed him to be. The popular
opinion outside the circle of the disciples
was that he was John the Baptist risen
from the dead, as Herod had declared (xiv.
p; or Elijah, whom they expected to reap
pear as the herald of the Messiah (Malachi
iv. 81; or jeremiah or some one of their
great prophets. He was coDfessedly an ex-
traordinary person, but did not realize the
popular expectation of the Messiah. JESUS
asked the disciples for an avowal of their
united opinion, after having received his in
struction and been the companions of his
ministry. When they first became disciples
they had all declared their belief that he was
the Messiah; but their ideas of the Messiahship
were the popular erroneous ones concern
ing splendid earthly kingdom. They must
apprehend the true Messianic idea before
they would be prepared to successfully do
the work for which he had chosen them,-to
found and promote a society representing
the kingdom of heaven which he had come
to establish on the earth. With characters
tic impetuosity, if not because of his position
as their chief or leader, Simon, called Peter,
answered: "Thou art the CHRIST, the Son of
the living GoD." This was an emphatic
avowal that JESUS was the Messiah of GoD.
Peter and the disciples may not have fully
understood all that was implied in this
profession of faith, but its terms involved
the true Messianic idea, into which their
faith might expand and grow. The CHRIST
Messiah, expressed the apostles belief
that he was the promised King of Israel; and
declaring him to be GoD's Son." involved
their clearly defined conviction, that his
kingdom must be spiritual. JESUS declared
that Peters expressed conception of him was
not the human, but the Divine one. He had
been blessed with Divine illumination, end
had exhibited his spiritual discerDment. st.
Paul afterward declared, No man can cay,
JESUS is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit"
THE FIRM FoUNDATIoN.-The declara-
ton of the apostles made by Peter was evil
dence that they we're qualified for citizenship
in the kingdom of Cop. They had mani
tested true discipleship, by declaring what
revealed themselves to be in reality the chill
dren of COP, for whatsoever believeth that
JESUS is the CHRIST is begotten of GOD" Il
John v. u. JESUS had carefully trained the
twelve disciples, whom he had chosen to be
ministers of his truth, in the principles of
the heavenly kingdom, and now upon dec
laration of their faith in him, which involved
the true conception of his mission in the
world, he declares his determination to make
them the foundation of his Church - the
spiritual society which would embody his
truth and promote his kingdom in the world.
To Peter, who had spoken for the disciples,
and who was, in this respect, at least, their
tros) and upon this rock (petra) will build
my church." There is an evident play upon
words in this declaration. Simon's surname,
given him by the Master (John l. 42), signi-
fed rock. The obvious meaning is that
Peter, who represented and declared the be-
lief of the apostles, is the foundation (rock)
upon which the church, OHRIsT's spiritual
temple, should be built. In the New Tesla
ment the church is frequently represented
as a house, or city, built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, CHRIST himself
being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians ii.
19). Sometimes the Apostles are represented
as the builders, with CHRIST for the only
foundation Il Corinthians iii. 10Y. Here
CHRIST is the architect and the apostles are
the foundation represented by Peter. Many
eminent scholars think that the declaration
of Peter is the rock upon which JESUS de-
clared that he would build his church. 1t is
true, both that the Christian Church is found
ed upon faith in the Divine authority and
mission of JESUS and upon the apostles who
organized and established it in the world
upon this basis of faith.
THE ENDURING CHURCH.-The Church
founded upon the apostles, who firmly be-
lieved in and taught the divine authority and
mission of their Master, was to be invincible
in the world, even the gates of Hades (the
way of entrance to the invincible world
death; see Lesson Nov. 20) shall not prevail
against it." The Church of CHRIST will sur
vive, though men die. One generation will
take up and carry forward the work of an
other, till all mankind shall be embraced in
its peaceful fold.
APOSTOLIC AUTHORITATIVE figure of
an edifice or city is still preserved, and ad-
mission to the kingdom of heaven is symbol
lied by the key, which is to be given to Peter
as tho representative or leader of the apos-
ties. By his preaching on the day of Pente
cost, Peter opened the door of the kingdom
to his countrymen (Acts ill., and afterward
in Joppa, at the house of Cornelius, he ad
mitted Gentiles to the privileges and bless
ings of the kingdom (Aets Ky. In matters
of administration the apostles we're qualified
and authorized to determine and declare
what would be divinely approved. They
we're qualified to declare the conditions of
citizenship in the kingdom of heaven, and
to determine who were qualified for admis-
sion to its privileges and blessings. They
would admit or deny admission to the king
dom and forbid or permit (bind or loose) to
be done what was in accordance with its