The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-15

which had been disrcgarded. 1t was with much
timidity that they questioned. ''Did we not
straighty command you not to teach?' How
dare you disobey us? That was the spirit below
the question (Acts Iv:ls). But there more
than disrrspcct to authority. The city was be-
ing filed with the doctrine. aud the converts
were daily multiplying. The authorities saw
plainly that ii the work continued they would
be held responsible for the death Of Iesus.--they
would be accounted murderers. (Matt. NNlll:}j).
BRAVE REPLY.-(Ncrses 20 to 3aD There
was no trembling in that band OF apostles that
day they arranged before the high
court OF Israel. Peter, speaking ior all, made
reply, displaying remarkable courage. lie first
repellct and rejected the authority that uttcmpt-
ed to restrain their speech, declaring that they
ought to obey God, what he had said before.
tActs lN:l9) 1t is II bad case when tic church
interpOgcs between and his duty made
known by the Almighty. Peter then rcAhirmcd
what he had preached several occasions, the
things which we're most offensive to the san
hcdrim,-tlat they had killed Jesus, that God
had raised him from the dead. that lie had been
exalted to hc prince and Savior, to give re.
pcntancc, Cor change of heart and lIc) to Israel,
that the apostles and the Holy Ghost we're
witnesses to the truthiulIess Of these statements.
In all this there no argument. 1t was not
Il time ion discussion Testimony was all that
was attempted, all that wa, admissible. (Acts
I:SD
WISE COT NSEL--CVer~cs 81 To ~ There
We're good and wise men in the Sanhcdrim, whose
hearts beat in sympathy with the right and
whose voices were raised against all injustice.
One Of the most influential OF these was Gamaliel,
a ti,n Al had s,l,, in
Jerusalem where the anoatle paul received his
education. Gicts NNII3.l THIS renowned
teacher was .lic son OF Rabbi Simeon and grand.
son Of the cclcbratcd iiillcl. by his talents and
connection he obtained great favor with the
people. When the council was drhberating upon
tie punishment to he inflicted upon the apostles
Ganalicl stood up and urged 4 lenient policy.
This remarkable course at 4 time when prles;ly
rage was so strong has been yariolsly inter-
prccd. Ii has been thought that, as he was Il
pharisce and the Prosecuting parties were Sad
ducecs, (\cts N:l1) he found this favorable
time TO defend the doctrine OF the rcsurrection
preached by the apostles and believed by his
sGl..
FORMER LEADERs.-V SO and 30 How
ever this may be there is in the narrative an
assigned motive that was adequate TO prompt
his action. lie remembered certain men who Lad
previously aslllTcu 10 lcllSlOuS leduclsHlp,
cited their course to show that there was no
reason to fear in the present instance. Two OF
these were mentioned who otherwise would never
have been known in our day, unless tie persons
hearing the same names of whom Joscphus gives
account, were the same, and that is very donbt'
full Theudas, who had about four hundred iOl-
lowers, boosted that he was a great person, and
Judas OF Gailcc, political grounds gathered
much people. Both Of these men pcrishcd and
al, gaI
Gumaliel showed much skin in his address by
calling TheuduS aud Judas mposters, which
would please the members OF the count giving
the impression that the doctor put the apostles
in the slme list. This appeal to preccdcnts was Il
happy mtclpostion
GOoD CONCLUsION-(Ner SS to 4O.) The
mind of this eminent educator had reached a
good conclusion to which he desired by these
citations to lead his associates. IL was every
way best to let the apostlcs alone. II they
wore unworthy men it would soon be known and
their cause would come to naught, Frauds pros
per only for time. They are soon discovered
and ior'aken Outt, NV;l3) But any oppose
tion TO imposters in the time of their popularity
helps them, by giving 10 their friends occasion
for frmcr support, On the other hand that
which /, right has God behind it and must sue
coed, (prov. NNl3O) And any one who opposes
Usa. VlII:l00 1t follows therefore, that in
either case. It was wise to wait and let the future
show whether these arranged men were doing
good work or bad work, The council agreed
with Gamaliel and called the apostles to give Ge,
Cison but with commands ana Ehps
JOYFUL SuFFERlNG.--Cvers Il and 43)
Eleven men, perhaps twelve, (ActS 1880 filled
out of the council room into the streets of
Jerusalem, released from custody, free 10 pursue
their calling as ministers Of Christ. They car
ried with them what would have been re-
proach to some, the consciousness that they had
beer under arrest, and their backs smMtcd hom
tile blows OF the cruel bastinadc. Not more
than forty stripes could be laid on each under
the law, (Deut. NNN:3) but that was sufficient
to produce much discomfort and suffering. hut
they went out with rejoicing conscious that they
bad committed no olIense and glad TO be deemed
worthy 10 suffer They remembered the Masters
words, (Natt, N;l7.ls) aud considered that they
had come into fellowship with him and with the
noble prophets and martyrs. Strengthened by
hese reflections they resumed their noble work,
preaching and teaching Jesus Christ daily in the
emple
FINAL THOuGllrS.-lt Is bad cluse that
escorts TO persecution The Jewish officials by
tcir treatment of the apostles confessed their
weakness and error. II Is interesting 10 notice
low responsive are the poor and lowly, and how