The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-02-14

"a. Then stood there up one In the council.
aPharisee named Gamaliel, doctor OF the
law. had In reputation among all the peo-
pie. and commanded 10 put the apostles
forth little space
%. And said unto them We men OF Israel.
take heed TO yourselves what ye Intend TO
do as touching these men.
~. For before these days rose up Theu-
das, Boosting himself 10 be somebody: to
whom a number OF men, about 40. joined
Themselves: who was slain. and ALL al
many as obeyed him. were scattered. and
brought 10 nought.
81. After this man rose up Judas OF Gall
lee In the days OF the "a king, and drew
away much people after him: he also per-
lshec. and all, even as many as obeyed
him, were dispersed.
% And now say unto you. Refrain from
these men. and let them alone: for II this
counsel or this work be OF men. il wall come
to nOught.
g. But If II be OF God. ye cannot over
throw Il; lest haply ye be found even tc
light against God.
". And TO him they agreed: and when
they had called the apostles, and beaten
them, they commanded that they should
not speak In the name OF Jesus. and let
them go.
A. And they departed from the presence
OF the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy TO suffer shame for His
name
house, they ceased not TO teach and preach
Jesus Christ.
GOLDEN TExT.-BIessed are they
which are perseceted for rig hteous.
ness sakes for theirs In the kingdom
Of Heaven.-Matt. $40.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Faithful Witnessing.-Jesus, it will
be remembe red, had forewarned His
disciples that they would suffer perse-
cution for His sake John 1920; 16:2).
Now that time had come, and the way
they bore themselves under il shows
how devoted they were to their Mas
ter. They not only endured. but re-
joiced that they were counted worthy
to suffer for Him. With such witnesses
nothing could stop the growth OF the
church.
Signs Wrought by the Apostles.-The
situation described here was like the
time when Jesus was working miracles
frequently in Galilee. 1t Is not stated
in verse is that Peters shadow actual
ly healed anyone. The verse shows
graphically the excitement that pre-
vailed.
Released from Prison.-When Peter
and John were arrested before they
were teaching in the temple. This time
their captors seem to have sought
them out in their headquarters. The
high priest now. 20 doubt, began to
fear the influence of such popular ex.
citement upon his authority. The
4 teaching was a direct defiance of that
authority (4:ls). The angel who de-
I ~ Al IL -
in the temple. Even with all the bold
ness they had in preaching they natu-
rally had hesitated about setting the m
selves up in the temple as rivals. OF
Gamaliel and other teachers there
But when Gods messenger commanded
them to 60 they went without hesita.
ton. in their zeal entering the temple
at dawn. The Sanhedrin probably
thought, when they learned OF the
apostles escape. that they had friends
within the temple guard who had lei
them go. Their perpleNity il thus best
explained, and the superstition was
natural.
Trial Before the Sanhedrin.-An Incl
dental light on the apostles feeling
about teaching in the temple is thrown
by the statement OF the man who tolc
the Saphedrln that the apostles were
standing and teaching. Most teachers
sat while giving instruction. The pop
uiar regard inwhich the apostles were
held is indicated by the fear Of tn,
temple guard 10 use violence. The high
priests words ". PSI show the sensi
tiveness Of the Jewish authorities t.
the apostles defiance of their com
mands. and TO the charge that they
were guilty OF Jesus death. which
Peter had several times made (2:23;
3:13-15; 40. Peters answer is an
other bold defiance. based on the faci
that God had con .nanded them ant
given them power 10 speak. proving by
Jesus resurrection and Nv the gift OF
the Holy Spirit that Christ was indeed
His Son. The boldness OF Peter an.
gered the rulers, but Gamaliei. who
though a party opponent of the Sad.
ducees. was greatly respected by all
saved the Sanhedrin for the time from
impulsive action. Gamaliers speech
was keen applicat ton of shrewd com
mon sense to the situation in hand
His motive was probab bly, not opposi
tion to the Sadducees or sympathy with
the Christians. but recognition Of thu
wisest course. The only Theudal
known did not live until about ter
years after Gamaliel made his speech
unless Josephus made a mistake in
dates. But there is no reason TO doub,
that the speech was made, and that II
had the effect described. The beating
which the apostles received must hav,
been very severe, but they regarded Il
as token Of honor that they had beer
active and prominent enough in God'i
service 10 receive IL.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION.
The world has not been ready TO wei
,ome the truth, but has met it with pris
ons. torture, scourgings, etc.
The disciples should never regart
the personal consequences Of. witness
ing for the truth.
"Blessed are We when men shall re
proach You. and prosecute You