The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-04-08
TIE slDBIIH-sCH0M LESSOR.
NTEEyATIONAL LESSON FOR
APRIL IL.
Lesson Text: sConversion of Cornc-
Iius." Acts X, 30-44-Goldcn
Text: Acts Y, i3-Com-
mentary.

So Peter and six men from Joppa (~char,er
XII, l2) have arrived AT the house OF Corne-
Illus. the Roman centurion in CRsarea. Cor
nelius was a just and God fearing man, much
given to prayer aud good deeds and beloved
by all the Jews OF the city oversees l, 2, 22),
yet not a saved man (~chapter XII. l4). But
GOO saw his earnest desire. and In tho way
here recorded brought Simon Peter to him
us He had before brought Philip to tho
run2ch. Cornelius, with his kinsmen and
friends, welcomed Simon Peter and tho
brethren, and Peter, having explained why
he, II jew, had come to uncircumcised
c~entiles, osks for what intent they had sent
for him, and Cornelius here begins his story.
81. "a man In bright clothing Is his
description Of the angel who came to see
hin. The appearances OF the angel ut the
sepulcher was like lightning, and his raj
ment white rs snow (Math. xviii. 81. Some
day, We too. shall shiue rs the sun (Math.
kill, 43). The angels message was, THY
prayer is heard and thine aims arc had in
remembrance in the sight of God"
80. Heaven is interested in simon Peter
also and knows Just where TO find him and
how to make him willing to take this jour
ney and do this work. Consider the 'all
things working together" In this record-the
hungry man, the delayed dinner. the trance.
nav fTAt hAS NV "A' WV H'h I'TN
at the right timo. Be not afraid to believe
hat heaven is interested in you. and have
faith in God.
SO. Immediately the centurion sent 10
Joppa. Peter did well to come. and now
they are ready to hear the message from the
God of heaven. They were assembled before
God to hear the message from God through
Peter. They wanted none Of Peters thoughts
or wisdom or e~loqucnce. but only what God
had commanded him to speak. Tn Lord
Jesus Himself only spoke what the Father
commanded Him John xii, 400. and every
messenger OF the Lord may take all possible
comfort from ES. iv., -; Jer. L., 60, etc.
"a. "Of a truth l perceive that God is no
respecter of persons" Thus Peter began his
message. God took great pains to teach him
this Oversees il-l6), and he never forgot it,
but long aiterward referred TO Il in Pet. i,
II. See also Paui's reference to the same in
Rom. II, II. II necessary, God will give Il
vision or send an angel TO instruct us, but
/, blessed are the simple and teachable who,
like Mary, sit Mt Jesus feet and hear His
word duke Y, 39).
80. But in every nation he that iearoth
hin and worketh righteousness is accepted
with Him." This does not conflict with
chapter iv. ~, and tho great truth that there
Is none other Saviour besides Jesus Christ,
bnt wherever any one, jew or gentle. enrn-
estly seeks alter God. lie will regard them
and 80 reveal Himself to them that they may
be saved. To conclude from this verse that
If we do tho best we know how we are safe
would he u porversion OF Scripture, for hy
the deeds OF the law (and the law is holy
no flesh can be justified Clom. iii. 20-2i.
80. "Preaching peace by Jesus Christ"
Made nigh by the blood Of Christ, for He Is
our peace, having made peace through the
blood Of His cross. The work OF righteous
ness shall DO peace, and the effect OF right
eousness, quieiness and assurance forever.
Therefore. being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ (Eph. ii, -. IA; Col. i, 20; lsa. xxi,
II; Rom. V, y. That which every soul needs
is peace, peace with God. and II cannot be
found apart from Jesus Christ.
81. ''rhat word, | say, ye know which was
published Throughout all Judmi.' They had
heard OF Jesus. they knew something OF the
way, but they needed clearer light. They
evidently knew something Of tho deeds Of
the law. of prayer. Of almsciving, OF the one
living and true God and the righteousness
which He required, but they knew not the
way to get ii. They were ignorant Of Gods
righteousness (Rom. Y, 81.
80. Jesus of Nazareth was righteous and
did righteousness. He was God manifest in
the flesh and set forth before men perfectly
the righteousness which God required OF
man. He never pleased Himself nor lived
unto Himself; but, being filed with the
Spirit, went about she wing men by word
and deed the love and goodness Of God.
He revealed God to men; lie gloriiled
God.
80. Peter was with Him during all His
public life and saw His acts and heard His
words and rs an eyewitness could testify
that He was what He profesEed to be, the
Son of God. the Messiah Ot Israel, the
Saviour OF sinners. He saw HIM cleanse
the leper, heal the sick, raise the dead aud
send the penitent sinner away with thu as
surance OF all sins forgiven. He also saw
Him crucitel on Calvary.
40. Him God raised up the third lay and
Showed Him openly All Scripture con.
had been fulfilled, and that 70 tho very
letter, and, rs He in His lifetime had re.
peatedly roretold, He rose from the dead on
the third day, taking out OF tho tomb the
very same body that was put In the tomb,
having tho unmistakable evidences Of the
nails through His hands and feet and the
spear thrust into His side.
Al. "Not TO all the people, but unto wit.
nesses chosen before Of God" Unbelievers
have not seen Jesus since He was cruciled,
but us many us 800 OF the disciples saw Him
ut once after His resurrection q Cor. Xv.. g.,
and He appeared not less than ten different
times, and He actually ale with them, as
Peter says Duke XIV, AZ.
az. at is He which was ordained OF God
to be the judge OF quick and dead" He will
judge His redeemed Mt His own judgment
seat (Rom. xiv, 10; ii Cor. ", 1O). He and
His redeemed will judge the nations when
He shall come in glory, bringing His saints
with Him (Math. xxv., 81, 80; | Cor, vi, q
Col. ILL.,, ~, and then at the end Of the thou
sand years. at the great white throne. He
will judge tho unSodly who took no part in