Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-02-15


ed. The hall of Judgment was not
rom where the apostles were teach
1t the very time. Standing. This
ling implies the prominent and un-
nted position which the apostles had
taken up.
26. Captain" The captain of the tenn
pie. V. "a. This was the commander OF
| the guard stationed chiefly in the tower
| of Antonio, especially during the great
feasts. and it was his duty to preserve or
der and prevent any tumult. Without
violence. Not by binding them. Feared
the people" All that the apostles did was
in behalf of the people. They had helped
them, cured them and supplied their
| wants and brought them new life and
hope. Popular favor is a great power. 1t
is well to make use OF it for the advance
ment OF the gospel, but it is not wise to
trust to it, as it is tickle, and it should
! never be sought as an end, Tor the pursuit
IS. "Stfaitly.s Strictly. Command.
4 They speak to Gods servants as though
the command of the council was the high
est authority that, might be. The first
II charge Is for disobedience. Teaching in
Jesuss name was the foundation OF all the
II trouble at hand. Filled Jerusalem" A
testimony from the mouths of enemies OF
II the faithfulness of the apostles in their
4 mission, yet given to prove that their evil
influence had wide effect. and stood as
Il
bring; They had very darinely cried.
His blood be on us and on our children"
when they were determined that Jesus
should be put to death; yet now they con
sidered the apostles very much out of
place in bringing this fact before the pub
he. and also of accusing them with it.
This mans blood You intend to hold
us, before the people, answerable for the
blood of Jesus. Ii Jesus was the Messiah.
the rulers had been traitors to the nation.
This charge stirred them deeply. The
judges take the place of culprits. and com.
| plain OF being accused of murder That
the apostles charged the Sanhedrin with
the murder of Jesus was true; that they
1 sought to arouse instruction was false.
%. Peter In every time of test all
| eyes turn to him. He seems, by his cour-
age, ever ready to atone for his past fail
ures. In him the Holy Ghost had COM
plete control. '0ther apostles" They
agreed with his statements, and gave wit
ness as they. were called upon. ITO obey
God" We have received our commission
from God; we dare not lay il down at the
command OF men. This was a very wise
reply. Could the council deny that God
should be first? Peter would seem to say
that if they opposed and silenced them
they fought against divine purposes. In
| this reply Peter expressed true reverence
and devotion to God.
| 80. God of our fathers Peter was as
| good a jew as Annas, and looked back as
! directly to Abraham. Isaac and Jacob as
THE fathers as did the old priest. They
preached no strange God. and He who so
highly honored the patriarchs, Moses and
the prophets had yet more highly hon
ored Jesus Christ. Raised up" The res
direction is again insisted upon as wit
ness TO the Messiahship OF Jesus. But 9TH
merely that God had sent Jesus into the
world. ''Ye slew" A direct and awful
charge of murderous guilt.
| 81. Exalted" BY His resurrection and
ascension. "A Prince and Saviour" He
was not the blasphemer they had called
Him. He was not guilty of disloyalty to
God. His exaltation proved that ITO
give repentance" Though shamefully
treated He walked among men He has
| power to save and offers grace to His muir
derers.
81. so is also the Holy Ghost" The
Holy Spirit witnessed. through their
works that the apostles were preaching
the truth. That obey Him." As it was
then so it is ROW, the Holy Ghost is given
to those who obey God.
81. Were cut" Enraged. The rea-
sons for this were, l. Because the apos-
ties had disregarded their command. ..
Because they charged them with murder.
ton OF Jesus" Were minded to slay
them OR. W That is. they wished to
slay them To get rid of one mans blood
they would take the lives of twelve more.
81. "A Pharisee." As a Pharisee and a
believer in the resurrection of the dead.
disciples. 'Gamaliel" The same person
mentioned in Acts %: 3 as the teacher of
| St. Paul Doctor Teacher and inter.
prefer of the law of Moses. I'm reputa-
ton" He was honored by the people. He
! appears to have been regarded by the
I - tha, La h
ers. He was man OF an enlarged and re-
fined mind. Put the apostles forth" He
| desired that they be removed from the
room while their cases were being consid-
cred. They were recalled in V. 40.
b. "Said." What follows is probably
an outline OF the speech.
SO. Before these days" This is not
the first time that zealots or seditionists
| have appeared. For the sake of effect Ca
maliel puts the case as If these prisoners
| would turn ont 10 be persons OF this stamp.
| but before closing he Is careful to remind
them that there was another possibility.
| "Theudas. This was common name.
and the period following the death of
| Herod the Great was full OF revolts. Moth
| ing is known definitely of this man be-
yond what we have here in this verse.
| 81. Judas" Josephus mentions this
| man. and his account confirms the state
| nent made here. The taxing OF the
Jews by the Roman Government. The
/ taxing consequent to it. Drew away.
Judas urged the reople TO refuse to pay the
tax and TO assert their liberty.
s. For it," Gamaliel does not com
NIT himself His are the words OF shrewd
! politician.
80 III it be of God" Without deciar-
ing the truth to be on the side OF the pris-
oners, he argues the question from that
| point of view.
40. Beaten them" Whipping was
common mode OF punishment among the
Jews. The usual number OF lashes was
thirty-nine See Cor IL: 81.
Al Rejoicing" Matt. 5; II. Il; Pet.
4: 1915: Phil. 3: 10; Col. l: -. "Wor.
thy" Fit subjects to suffer as Jesus had
suffered shame" To be disgraced in
the estimation of the JEWS rulers.
AZ. Ceased not" The prosecutions
they were undergoing did not dampen their
| zeal or courage.