The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-26

~ Ae@'s IL. L.,
Secretary of the American Society of Re-
Hg1ouS Education.
students of these lessons are requested to
send to Dr. Gilbert, Washington, D. c.,
their names, denomination and pOStoffice
ADDRESS Tor enrolment in the office of the
society, mentioning this paper, that docu-
menfs on Bible study may be mailed to
them.)
INTRODUCTTON.-Af the wonderful
discourse in Capernaum Jesus sought to re-
tire from public gaze He was followed by
smaller company than usual, many hav-
ing forsaken Him because of recent teach
ings. John vi, 66) Omitting the third
passover, He journeyed into the region of
Tyre and Sidon, where He cast demon
out of the daughter of the Syrophenician.
That miracle drew such a crowd that He
left the country. Passing around Galilee
northward, He came with the twelve to
Decapolis, "a province Inhabited mostly by
Gentiles, lying east of the sea of Galilee.
Here He cured the deaf stammerer and fed
four thousand with seven loaves. Thence
He crossed the lake to Dalmanutha, where
He was met by enemies, who demanded
sign. Leaving the place, He took ship for
Bethsiada, where He restored sight to
blind man. Journeying thence northward,
still seeking sec1usion, Jesus came to Gaze
sarea Philippi, at the base of Mount Her
mon the most northern point reached dur
ing His ministry.
PUBLIC OPINION.-In this quiet spot,
one hundred and twenty miles distant from
Jerusalem, Jesus held an interview with His
apostles. He first inquired: Whom do
men say that /, the son of man, ann" Dur
ing His entire ministry He had sought to
make himself known, employing various
methods for the purpose. Now He would
learn the result of His effort; or, rather,
as His knowledge on this subject was not
limited John H. 81, He desired His disciples
to inform Him what they had heard. His
motive will presently appear. They replied
that some took Him as John the Baptist,
some for Elias, some for jeremiah or one
of the other prophets, each judging by vari-
GUS characteristics of supposed resent
blance. Here was the doctrine of transmit
grafton of souls, not taught in Scripture
but by Greek philosophers. Probably the
conference which Herod had with his cour-
tiers Mark vi 16) gave currency to these
opinions, which showed what little profit
the multitudes had received from Christ's
words and work.
HONEST FAITH.-Ths answer gave Je-
sus opportunity to ask the apostles for their
opinion. This was very delicate business.
A free expression from associates is not
always desirable. In this case it was neces-
sary. Jesus was educating twelve men to
carry on His work. Were they getting
ready? Did they know who their Master
was? He therefore requires a statement
This was doubtless the objective point when
He inquired after public opinion. Peter
spoke. He was not mouthpiece for the
others in this case Verse I'D He spoke
his own belief. 1t was in two parts: Thou
art the Christi the Messiah, the one prom
ised in the Old Testament expected by the
Jewish people, symbolized in the offerings.
the supreme hope of the nation John i.
49, Thou art the Son of the living God"
was his next statement-the only begotten
Son Uohn iii, 16; lisa. tx, g., a divine being.
The first part of this confession was not
surprising, for Jesus had on several occa-
sions set forth His messiahship. John iy.
26; Luke iv, 1920 But the second part
was long stride into the realm of truth.
The angel had declared it to Mary duke
/, $50, but she had evidently forgotten The
Baptist had believed it John i, Si), Satan
assumed it in the wilderness Matt iv, 81.
and the devils declared it, Mark iii. 11-l
On the sea the disciples proclaimed it CMatr.
xiv, 33), but now, in a calm hour, the two
great items are put together, messiahship
and divinity.
BLESSED SIMON.-This was an impor-
tant event, a grand achievement in apos-
tolic education. Jesus approved the words.
thereby admitting them to be true and
then, turning to the apostle He said.
BLESSED art thou, Simon,'' not merely
happy or fortunate, but vastly more-he
was the recipient of a blessing. Something
had been bestowed upon him. Jesus ex-
plains. The confession was not the result
of Peters superior insight, but God had
revealed this truth to him. Peter had re-
aoixr Cd 1i<rht 1,o1, f,<,,,
made it possible for him toFknow who Jesus
was. q Cor xii, 80 That is really the
meaning of all blessing in Scripture spir-
itual quickening It is a great day when
God comes to man and gives him a clear
er vision. In Eastern countries it was Gus
tomary to mark great occasions in mems
lives by giving them new names. Gen.
xvii, So And so Jesus says, Thou art
Peter" his original being Simon
(John /, AID Thus Jesus fulfilled His words
spoken at the first meeting with Simon.
(John i, 45) What was then predicted was
now bestowed.
LARGER PROSPECT.-A clearer view of
Christ begins a new era. Jesus therefore
proceeds to speak concerning what had thus
far been secret in His own breast He
outlines the church, an institution of the
future, under five heads-its author its
progress, its foundation, it's government, its
success. The church would be His in a
double SENSIBLE would not only claim it as
His possession, but He would produce it,
That church would be built, increasing from
beginning, that increase by the power of
Christ. (Acts ii, 47.) The foundation or
beginning would be a rock, something sta
ble a rock then and there present Many
have disputed concerning the rock. Some
think it was Peter, his name meaning a
rock; others think it was Peters confes-
sion, or Christ. Let Scripture decide. (Eph
IL, 10 The foundation the company
there gathered, Christ and His apostles
Peters confession being their creed. The
success of the church was it's triumph over
1.-The gates of hell This has been UNDER
stood by some to mean the secret counsels
of evil. by others the dividing line between
this world and the next. The government
committed then to Peter, was afterward
given to the whole company CT apostles.
Matt. xviii. 49, Under the guidance of
the Holy Spirit duke xiv, 40; John XVII 49,
Jesus intended that these twelve men
should set forth the principles by which the
church should be governed. These princi-
pies are in the New Testament, which re-
mains the law for after genera lions. (Rey
xxi, 1919 Christ provided for no success
sors to the apostles.
ENJOINIcD SILENCE.-Now comes a
new wonder. Jesus forbids His apostles to
tell the world that He was the Christ A
strange introduction! When men took Him