Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-26
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lessen Comments For
April II.
subject: Gentiles Received Into the Church,
Acts III. LIS Golden Text Acts X. "a
Memory Verses. 10 Commentary
on the Days Lesson


! Heard The news that the Cen;ilcs
had received the gospel and mad been hsp-
tzed spread throughout the whole coun-
try. Had also received. The manner
in which the fact il stated shows. in the
first place, that it had made a favorable
impression on the apostles and brethren.
In the second place, the expression implies
that the event was regarded as involving
an important principle.
>. Was come There is no evidence
that Peter was summoned to Jerusalem
to defend his conduct. but he had reason
to fear that he would be censured until
the particulars were known, and he may
have fastened his return III order to fur
nish that information. The circumci-
sion" The Jews who had become Chris
tians. This must have been the whole
church at this time, but ST. Luke's nara
tive was compiled when they that were
of the circumcision" had become distinct
party. Commended. Disputed, reproved
him, charged him with being at fault
They maintained that those who accepted
Christianity should first become Jewish
proselytes by submitting to the Mosaic
law and being circumcised.
3. "Didst eat with them" The disci-
pies would have reioiced, and would have
welcomed TIE further spread of the word
as they did the conversion of the Samari-
tans (chap. s: lD. but it was cause of Of
Tense that Peter had consented to become
the guest OF Gentle. He had eaten with
men with whom there would be no regard
to the character of the food. nor to the
way in which 1t was prepared
I. From the beginning" the apostle
furnished a detailed account OF al the
facts in their order.
5. Praying" 1t was about noon.
Peter was on the housetop. The fat roofs
formed a convenient place for retirement.
In a trance" Or ecstacy. \ state OF
mind when the attention Is absorbed in
particular train OF thought. so that the
external senses are partially or entirely
suspended. He was transported out OF
himself and put into 4 mental state iii
which he could discern objects beyond the
apprehension OF mans natural powers. "A
great sheet" What the apostle saw was
an extended sheet. the four corners of
which were held up as it were by cords let
down from the four extremities OF the
open sky. The significance of the out
stretched sheet as 4 figure of the wide
lions into which the gospel was now to
be borne forth into all the world, has Of
ten been dwelt upon. Game even 10 me-"
In chap. 10: IL Luke says it was let
down to the earth In the vision it was
below Peter. 80 that he could look from
the housetop down upon its upper surface.
g. And saw etc. The vision repre-
sentcd the whole animal creation. There
were IN 1t living creatures typical OF each
kind. not Il multitude OF the same sort of
birds and beasts. All kinds OF animals
were there. domestic and wild. clean and
unciean. together with creeping things and
fowls OF the air.
:. Stay and cat" That is, any one of
the animals exhibited to him. without re-
IL. i. 4
clean. This particular vision was suggested
by Peters hunger. Chap 10: 10.
8. Common or unclean.' By common,
whatsoever was in general use among the
Gentiles. is to be understood; by unciean.
everything that was forbidden by the Mo-
sale law. However. one word may be con-
sidered as explanatory of the other. The
lievcd that by the unclean animals the
Gentiles were meant. AT any time en-
tered" The devout Jew exercised great
care in observing the ceremonial distinc-
tions between clean and unclean. Eek.
4: IA; Dan. l. s-l2.
8. Hath cleansed." God made the dis
tinctions between clean and unclean for
wise purposes, and now for equally wise
purposes those distinctions are removed.
He had authority to give the law; He has
authority to revoke the law. Make not
thou common" (R VI The old dispersal
ton Is now to give place to the new and
Peter is taught that men are not to make
such distinctions and separations longer.
For meat destroy not the work of God.
Rom. IA: %.
10. Three times" For the greater GER
tainty and in order that deep and lasting
impression might be made on the apostles
mind. Compare Pharaoh's dream (Gen.
Al: 32l and Josephs Interpretation there
of. Drawn up again" The reception of
the whole into heaven again was designed
to point out that it was d lesson which
God had as directly sent as of old He sent
the law on Sinai.
H. Behold" Behold how remarka-
bly, the incidents coincide! This shows
that God Is directing in the matter. In
med ately. st. Luke tells us (chap. 10:
10 that when Peter had aroused from his
trance he was much perplexed in himself
Or. V j, not knowing at first how to APP
ply what he had seen and heard.
II. The Spirit" Before this God had
Spirit spoke to spirit" silently yet clear
w. Nothing doubling" Making no dis.
tinction." Il. v. Between jew and Gen
tile. But, according to the Cambridge
Bible, this form of the verb is not used
until after the events had taught HIM pre-
cisely what the vision and the spiritual
application meant.
Id. All anger. AOTnelluS referred TO
this heavenly messenger as man in
bright clothing"
a. Tell thee words" The gospel mes.
sage concerning Christ. "All thy house"
The assurance embraces them because they
were prepared. as well as Cornelius to
welcome the apostles message shall be
saved They were indeed now saved. with
I. present salvation, and yet, now that
Christ Is presented. acceptance is neces-
sary to final salvation Peter is sent not
to be the instrument OF the conversion of
Cornelius, but simply to show him the
way OF God more perfectly"
Is. AS | began" While he was speak
ing but before he had proceeded far in his
discourse. On them" On the Gentiles.
AS on us" The Jews. AT the begin
ming" On Pentecost. Acts =: lib.
Is. The Lord" Peter remembered
Christ's words as recorded in Acts |: 5.
II. What was L." What right or pow.
er had to oppose the manifest will of
God that the Gentles should be received
into the Christian church. Withstand
God Oppose or resist God. He had
indicated His will and Peters prejudices
must give way.
Is. Held their peace" They opposed
Peter no longer because they saw that
God had directed him in all he had done,
and that the Holy Spirit had iudorsed his
action.
Capture Almost Certain.