Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-19
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lessor Comments For
April TO-
Subject: Peter and Cornelius, Acts Il. S4'4S
Golden Text: Acts ". A-Memory
Verses, 42.44-commentary on
the Days Lesson.

Golden Text: Acts u. A-Memory
Verses. 42.44-Commentary on
the Days Lesson.
a. Opened ms mouth" Tins suggests
a regular discourse, as distinguished from
a simple conversation. See Matt. 5: 2.
Il perceive" What had always been true.
though through Jewish prejudice he had
never before realized it. That God"
Who knoweth the hearts OF men, and con-
corning whose decision there can be no dis
cussion. No respecter of persons" That
ia, He shows no favor to one above an
other on account of his outward condition
of rank, wealth, poverty, nationality, race,
color, education. His only test is what a
person really Is in moral character. All
must be saved in the same way, on the
same conditions, subject to the same PEN
alties If they refuse, and open to the same
blessings if they repent and believe. Pre-
vious to his vision Tvs. 9-l6), Peter had be-
lieved no one could be saved but they OF
the circumcision-Jews and proselytes.
Contrary to his former opinion he now adj
mits there is no favoritism with God. He
does not esteem Jew because he is a
jew, nor detest Gentle because he is a
Gentle. God has respect only for charac.
ter and state. National and ecclesiastical
distinctions are of no account.
81. I'm every nation" jew or Gentle.
THAT feareth Him." Not a slayish, or
selfish, but filial fear. job. %: %; Prov.
9: 10; Pisa. .: II: Feel. II: -; Nal. 4: 2.
evil and does good. These two particulars
include mans duty to God, and to his fell
bowman. He keeps all the law. Cornelius
was accepted because he measured up to
the light given him. He watched, tasted
prayed and gave aims. He evidenced his
sincerity by accepting Christ as soon as
He was preached. rs accepted He was
but because he had an honest heart, and
that led him to perform good deeds.
SO. The word" The message of the
gospel. The record OF the work OF Jesus
of Nazareth. Unto Israel" The de-
scendants of Jacob. the chosen people of
God. To them it was first preached. and
through them salvation came to the race.
John 4: -; Rom. l: l6. Preaching
peace" Preaching the good tidings of sal.
truth. l. Peace with God. 2. Peace
with men. 3. Peace of conscience. 4.
Peace filling the soul. Rom. IA: II. "By
Jesus Christ" He is the author, giver and
medium OF peace. Luke .: IA; John IA:
%; Eph. .: IA; Col. /: 20. Lord of all"
Peter here announces Christ's universal
lordship" over every man in every nation.
81. THAT word-ye know" They were
not rnacquainted with this message of
peace. 1t had been proclaimed through
out all Judea and Gaiilee. from the time
John began to preach. luke 4: IA, 81,
"A; Q: 6; %: 5. They in Caesarea had
heard OF its being preached to Israel by
the preaching of Philip the evangelist
Acts s: 40.
IS. Amounted Jesus Of Nazareth" This
inaugurated Him into His office as the
Apostle and High Priest OF the Christian
profession. Heb. !: 9; 3: l. According to
the prophets the Messiah was to work
miracles as proof OF His Messiahship.
"Holy Ghost and with power" This pro-
claimed Him to be the Christ Luke 4: ls-
2D. and invested Him with the insignia of
His Messianic Office. When the Holy
Ghost is mentioned word is generally
added to emphasize his adaptation to the
special circumstances.
80. I'VE are witnesses Because Peter
and the other apostles had been with
Jesus from the beginning OF His ministe-
rial l;fe. Luke -: IS. They were not OBJ
jects OF superstitious reverence, but SIM
ply witnesses to the great historical facts
on which the gospel is founded. Land
OF the Jews" The countries OF Judea,
Galilce and Perea.
peated predictions of the prophets and of
Christ Himself The resurrection of
Christ was the seal of His Messiahship
Showed Him." See X. V. The evidences
of the resurrection of Christ are indisputa-
bic. By many proofs it was made clear to
those who saw Him that it was the same
body, even though now gloritied. which
had been wounded on the cross.
II. Witnesses chosen Those selected
for the purpose. ! Cor. Is: AS. Had He
shown Himself to all the people He might
have had second rejection. We have
no evidence that Jesus showed Himself
after His resurrection to any but His per
sonal followers. Did eat etc. See
Luke -: a.. 43.
%. Commanded lie shows Corne
l;us his commission from Christ. Matt
only to cxpound the truth concerning
these fundamental facts. but also to bear
witness to what they had seen. heard and
experienced. ! John /: Is; 2 Peter !: l6.
IS. Gods true ministers both teach and
testify. Judge OF quick and dead" OF
the living and dead. BY this we are TO un-
derstand that Christ would judge all who
had lived, or were then living, or who
would live.
A. "To Him. etc. Not any particular
prophet, but all directly or indirectly bore
testimony to Christ as the Saviour OF all
men. Isa. o: 6; So: 5. g; Jer. 81: "a: Dan.
8: IA; Micah Z: Is; Zech. IS: ]. "Remis-
sion of sins" The taking away not only
the guilt, but also the power, nature and
consequences OF sin. This is mans great
est need.
A. "The Holy Ghost FELL" They were
endowed with miraculous powers. and en-.
able to speak i'll languages which they had
never learned. Compare chap. II: 10 with
2: l-l3. At this time their hearts were pu-
rifed by faith; see chap. 10: where Peter
hsnself says distinctly that such was the
case. The church needs the same baptism
to-day.
IS. They OF the circumcision" The
six Jews who had accompanied Peter from
Joppa. Were astonished" Were
amazed that Gentiles should be admitted
to the same favor as themselves.
46. Magnify God" Praise and glorify
God.
II. "Forbid water etc. Though the
gift OF the Spirit had been made so appar-
ent. yet St. Peter did not omit the out
ward sign.
as. Commanded It seems that Peter
did not perform the baptism himself, but
gave directions that the Christians who
had come with him from Joppa should at
tend to it. 1t was not the practice of the
apostles themselves to baptize very ex-
tensive. sprayed them him." They en-.
treated Peter. '"ro larry" No doubt he
remained to more fully indoctrinate them
in the new faith, and to show them that he
was ready to act according to the teachings
given him in the vision I've. 0: l6l, and eat
with Gentiles.