The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-21
Sunday School Lesson for July 22
Peters Confession and Christ's Rebuke
MATT. 1927
BY REV. J. E. GILBERT, D. D. LID,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education
MATT. VXI, 1927.

BLESSED SlMON.-This was an important
event, a grand achievement in apostolic educa.
tion, Jesus approved the words, thereby admit.
ting them to be true. "Bessed thou, Simon"
not merely happy or fortunate, but vastly more,
he was the recipient of blessing. Something
had been bestowed upon him, Jesus explains.
The confession was not the result Of Peters
superior insight, hut God had revealed this
truth to him. Peter had received light or help
from above, which had made it possible for him
TO know who Jesus was Il Cor. xii -. That
is really the meaning OF all blessing in scripture,
a spiritual quickeninS, II is great day when
God comes to man and gives him clearer
vision. In eastern countries il was customary
to mark great occasions in mems lives by giving
them new names (Gen. xvii: 81. And so Jesus
says, "Thou art Peter" his original name being
Simon (John i: AZ. Thus Jesus fulfilled His
words spoken at the first meeting with Simon
(Tohn i: I5). What was then predicted was
now bestowed
LARGER PROSPECl.-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. lie outlines the
church, an institution OF the future, under 1--WE
heads, its author its progress, its foundation,
its success, its government. The church would
be His in double sense; lie would not only
claim it as possession, but He would produce
it. That church would be built, increasing
from a beginning, that increase by the power
of Christ (Acts ii: ~. The foundation or be.
ginning would be a rock, something stable,
rock then and there present. Many have dis
puted concerning the rock. Some think it was
Peter, his name being a rock; Others think it
was Peters confession. or Christ, Let Scrip
ture decide (Eph ii; 2o). The foundation was
the company there gathered, Christ and His
apostles Peters confession being their creed.
The success Of the church was its triumph over
1.-THE gates Of hell" This has been understood
by some 10 mean the secret coursels Of evil,
by others the dividing line between this world
and the next The government, committed then
TO Peter, was aftorward given 10 the whole COM
pany of the apostles Ciatt xviii; JS. Under
the guidance Of the Holy Spirit duke xiv: 40;
John xvi: l8. Jesus intended that these
twelve men should set forth the principles by
which the church should he governed These
principles are in the New Testament, which
remains the law for after generations CRev
xxi: ls-lO.
ENJOINED SIIENCE.-Now comes a new won.
der Jesus forbds His apostles to tell the
world that lie was the Christ. strange in
terdiction. When men took Him for an cid
prophet risen from the dead, when lie had dill
liGcntly sought 10 make people understand Him,
when correct knowledge Of Him was the one
essential to the success of His cause, why not
allow, even enioin, these men to proclaim the
truth? II they believed why be silent? Be-
cause He desired that men should judge Of Him
by His works and words. He even required the
Baptist to put His estimate on that basis duke
vii; 22), which was the most enduring (John
xiv; III. Besides, these meE were not ready
10 proclaim the nature, and Office Of Christ.
There was another truth Verse 81 over which
they should stumble Verse S2), but which
they should receive. and there was another bless