Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-04-24
NO.. A..
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
April II.
Subject: Gentiles Received Into the Church,
Acts xi., l.lS-GoIden Text: Acts x.. 43-
Memory Verses, 79-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.


had received the gospel and had been bap-
tized spread throughout the whole coun-
try. "Had also received" The manner
in which the fact is 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.
2. "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 in order to fur
nish that information. The circumcl-
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 "Contended." 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-
Piles would have rejofced, and would have
welcomed the further spread of the word
as they did the conversion of the Samarl-
tans (chap. s: l4), but it was cause of Of.
fense 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 it was prepared.
4. "From the beginning" The apostle
facts in their order.
5. praying" 1t was about noon.
Peter was on the housetop. The fiat roofs
formed convenient place for retirement:
"In trance" Or ecstacy. A 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 mental state IN
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 figure of the wide
world, and the four corners as the dlrec-
tions into which the gospel was now to
be borne forth into all the world, has Of
ten been dwet upon. Game even to me-"
In chap. 10: II Luke says it was "let
down to the Garth" In the vision it was
below Peter, so that he could look from
tne nOuSeLop uoWn upon i.S uPPci 9'iiaSS.
6. "And saw etc. The vision repre-
sented the whole animal creation. There
were in it living creatures typical of each
kind, not multitude of the same sort of
birds and beasts All kinds of animals
were there, domestic and wild, clean and
unclean, together with creeping things and
fowls of the air.
7. "Slay and eat" That is, any one of
the animals exhibited to him, without re-
gard to the distinction of clean and un.:
clean. This particular vision was suggested
by Peters hunger. Chap. TO- 10.
8. Common or uncean." By common,
whatsoever was in general use among the
Gentiles, is to be understood; by unclean,
everything that was forbidden by the Mo-
sale law. However, one word may be con-
sidered as explanatory of the other. The
rabbins and many of the early fathers be-
lieved that by the unclean animals the
Gentiles were meant. "At any time en-
tered" The devout Jew exercised great
care in observing the ceremonial dlstlnc'
tions between clean and unclcan. Eek.
4: IA; Dan. /: 8l2.
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" Or. W The old dispensa.
tion is now to give place to the new ana
Peter is taught that men are not to make
such distinctions and separations longer.
For meat destroy not the work OF God.
Rom. IA 20.
10. "Three times" For the greater Ger.
tainty and in order that a deep and lasting
impression might be made on the apostle $
mind. Compare Pharaohs dream (Gen.
al: 32) and Joseph's Interpretation there.
of. Drawn up again. The reception OF
the whole into heaven again was designed
to point out that it was lesson which
God had as directly sent as OF old He sent
II. behold" Behold how rcmarka-
bly, the incidents coincide This shows
that God is directing in the matter. I'M
med ately.' st. Luke tells us (chap. 10:
~ that when Peter had aroused from his
trance he was ''much perplexed in himself
Or. W, not knowing at first how to ap-
ply what he had seen and heard.
H. "The Spirit" Before this God had
spoken to him with a voice, but here
Spirit spoke to spirit" silently yet clear
ly. 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 taug hit HIM prc,,
cisely what the VISION ana the spiritual
application meant.
49, AN angel" Cornelius referred to
this heavenly messenger as imam in
bright clothing"
d. 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
present salvation, and yet, now that
Christ is presented, acceptance is neces-
sary to a final salvation. Peter is sent not
to be the instrument of the conversion OF
Cornenus, but simply to ''show him the
way of God more perfectly"
l5 "As | began" While he was speak
ing but before he had proceeded far II his
discourse. "On them On the Gentiles
Gas on us" The Jews. "At the begin
ming" On Pentecost Acts 2: lib.
Is. "The Lord" Peter remembered
Christ's words as recorded in acts l. 5.
IT, "What was II" What right or pow:
er had | to oppose the manifest will OF
God that the Gentiles should be received
into the Christian church. withstand
God" Oppose or resist God. lie 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 indorsed his