The National tribune., 1897-01-07
1Hn NAT1onA qgIBurR wAsanQ o, EaURsDAY 1871


80 mistreated the Savior of our world.
3. To Peter. 81. Why to him in PARTICULAR
It was their idea that he who could SO portray
their sins must be able to point ont remedy.
4. Repent, 80. This was in the line OF the
teachings of Christ during his ministry. st.
Luke, "a: AZ. It is held that the feeling
implied by repentance is sorrow on account OF
having sinned-not because sin brings evil
consequences but because one has disobeyed
God, offended bis best friend. It's understood
also that there IL q looking not only to sins
which have been committed, but also deter
mination to reform.
s In tho name Of Jesus Christ. v. 80. See
tho formulum for baptism in st. Matt. 20: ~.
The emphatic fact was that Christ's name must
not be omitted ince belief in him IL q turning
point. st. Matt. Is: 16. OF course the entire
formulum prescribed by Christ was used. Bus
Jesus had been 90 prosecuted that the pecuii-
arity, the noticeable fact, was that His nsme
was mentioned.
g. Remission. v. 80 Forgiveness.
2. Your children. 80. See GAL. 3: 16.
g. All that are afar of. &c. Gentiles. We
see st. Peter had on the start an idea OF the
broadening ont of the Church from the narrow
limitations Of the Jewish economy. and this
fact probably helped him to . quicker concep-
ton of duty in the case of Cornelius.
g. Testify, exhort. 40. After doing what We
can to show that our religion is correct. We
must earnestly exhort persons to adopt 1t.
After testimony comes solicitation. We must
know We have something others need. 10.
Untoward. 40. The original word (skotids)
means crooked. Deu., 80: 5. In Ps.. 49, 9, We
have "rebellious generation" Soc Phil. g: IL.
VERSES 4147.
Explanations.
I. Added. Al. TO the 120. See 1: v.
AZ of the lesson says, "the Lord added"
9. Breaking of bread. A. This was the
name applied in earliest Christian times to the
Holy Communion. 20:7; 1 Cor. 10: 16. It
omits any mention of wine, and so some Chris
tian bodies dispense with it. But st. Paul con-
meets the two so closely that most think he
used both. Cor, :16. We know Christ
mentions the two jointly aud specifically.
3. Wonders and signs. 43. Wonders be-
cause persons seeing them wondered. Signs be-
cause they indicated the character OF their
Author. Both are at times styled powers. We
say of the two that they are miracles.
4. Common. Al. Chrysostom said that that
was AN angelic republic" The condition OF
things required immediate supplies Then the
disciples imagined Jesus was to return soon. and
so there was no need of care as to possessions.
We notice that among bodies of Christians
laboring under the same impression. from the
Pentecostal day to now, have fallen into the
same error-have sold property and invested
only what was needful for few days
s. Had need. As. Every Christian kept
what was necessary for himself and family, and
helped others as he could after such withhold
ing for his own home. Otherwise he would
only increase the common want. This occas-
toned pooling of simply superabundance
Some had no property, aud thus were at once
needy. Those with enough were no burden.
g. Temple 46. Early Christians did not
wholly break away from the jewish economy.
Z. Breaking bread from house to honse. 49,
They could not enjoy this sacrament 1T the
Temple. They had no churches, and hence
were obliged to celebrate the Holy Communion
at their homes.
8. Eating meat. &C. This refers to their
ordinary meals hospitality, etc.
8. Such as should be saved. AZ. Sdch as
would be saved, such as were in the way (pro-
cess Of salvation.
Conclusions.
We see that thought must corporate itself.
With intense feeling there must be action.
Given knowledge, men must ask what to do
with it. v. 81. Mental repentance does not
normally suffice without objective baptism.
The heart seeks to fnd expression in ordinance.
Tho proper mental condition was stirred up by
tho address Of ST. Peter. 1t became kind OF
volcano which must burst forth into some sort
Of freeing activity. The doctrine was right.
What was needed was practice. There must
be not only Law, but obedience. All religious
lHOuEng abu IteIiUH NuuSt 70 tEduSuutcu iheo
Christian life. Hence the error Of antinomian.
ism. We see error also, not only in the failure to
corporate thought into action, but also OF act
ing without due conscientiousness and religious
intelligence-the heresy of mere morality.
What God joins together We must not sever.
We need not only books of devotion, but guides
to conduct, directions for holy living. Christ
is not only tho Truth. but the Way.
ITO your children" v. So The Jews had
ali along been familiar with the inclusion oil
children in the Covenant with Abraham, and
wonld have been much prejudiced against any
such amendment to their theology as ignored
their offspring. We see the call for the Sunday
| school,
st. Peter preached. Then followed the ad
ditions. This seems to suggest the norma
order. The ministry precede the laity. W.
| must raise up ministry. We must supper
! our theological seminaries. We must encour
! ago young men to enter the holy Office.