The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-27
LESSON STORY.


That Peter, previous to the time
when Paul asserted his natural super
iority, was the recognized and active
leader of the church, need not be ques-
toned. That Peter was therefore Wis.
ibe king in all but the name, and that
his succession has been and is to be
maintained in the Pope of Rome, are
conclusions not logically drawn from the
premises. The church, about ten years
after its birth, enjoyed two or three years
of freedom from persecution. Josephus
(Antia. 1882 tells US that at this time
an attempt was made by Caligula. the
mad Roman emperor. through the gov
ernor of Syria, to have his statue erected
in the temple in Jerusalem. Through
the resolute opposition Of the Jews and
the intercession of King Agrippa the
proclamation was averted. That the Jews,
while being prosecuted. had less leisure
for persecution, was good fortune for the
Christians. The church throughout all
Judea and Galtlee and Samaria had
peace.
During this breathing spell of the
church Peter turned his attention to the
scattered believers. He visited 'all
parts" Wherever, in any town of Judea
or Samaria or Galilee, company of
Christians was 10 need of being shaped
into a working organization. he found
employment for his zeal and skill.
The stories of our lesson. the healing
at Lydia and the restoration at Joppa,
are but episodes in the main narrative.
The central meaning of the journey of
Peter among the churches is that he
came back fully convinced that God is
no respecter of persons. the race favored
of God being the human race.
l.. A Work of Healing 80
35.
When Peter came to LYDIA, the place
Josephus calls "a village not less than
city in largeness," he found among the
Christian believers man named H1eas
who had been bedridden with paralysis
eight years. He was one of the saints.
yet that he WAS of heroic quality does
not appear. He had no traits which
compelled recognition. The narrative
tells us only that Peter on beholding
him said: 4Eneas, Jesus healeth thee;
arise and make thy bed. And he arose
immediately.
That the paralytic believed in Christ
is proved by the fact that he recognized
the power of his name. and believed he
could rise by the favor of Christ.
1t was such wonder of healing as
was not uncommon in the early church.
In many an instance the quickened
spirit brought saving health to the body.
This marvel appealed strongly to the
community in which the paralytic was
known. From the village of LYDIA, and
from the plain of Sharon on which it
stood, multitudes came to see the man
who had been so wondrouely healed;
and the effect was general turning unto
the Lord.
2. A Sore Bereavement,-vs 30
80.
In Joppa on the sea-cosst. ten miles
from LYdda. sad scene was occurring,
a scene. alas, not in it's essential features
uncommon in the home of men.
A woman had become a disciple of
Jesus. Her name, Tabitha. may not
strike our ears as beautiful This is its
Aramaic form. Its Greek form. Dorcas,
may also in itself have scarcely an entic-
ing sound. But the name rendered in
our own language has the agreeable
sound which it had originally to the
Hebrews and Greeks. She was known
as Gazelle. 1t is the synonym of grace
and beauty.