The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-23
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL 27.

Subject: Gentiles Received Iate ths
Church, Acts H., l-ls-Golden Texts
Acts T.. 4a-Memory Verses, 7-9-com.
mentary on tho Days Lesson.
!. Heard" The news that the Gentiles
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 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. Twas 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 be may
have hastened his return in order to fur.
nish that information; The circumci.
sion" The Jews who had become Chris
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.
pies would have rejoiced, and would have
welcomed the further spread Of the word
as they did the conversion OF the Samnri.
tans (chap. 8: A). but it was cause Of Of.
fense that Peter had consented to become
the guest Of Gentle. He had eaten with
to the character of the food, nor to the
~, ,vhich pponnrad
4. From the beginning" The apostle
furnished detailed account Of all the
'At.' s. y Praying" pr L. was abou. noon.
Peter was on the housetop. The fiat roofs
formed a convenient place for retirement.
I'm a 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 q mental state in
which he could discern objects beyond the
apprehension Of mans natural powers. "A
an extended sheet, the four corners OF
down from the four extremities of the
open sky. The significance OF the out.
stretched sheet, as a figure Of the wide
world, and the four corners as the direc-
tions into which the gospel was now to
be borne forth into all the world, has OF:
ten been dwelt upon. Game even to me"
| In chap. 10: II Luke says it was ''let
down to the earth" In the vision it was
below Peter, so that he could look from
the housetop down upon its upper surface.
6. "And saw" etc. The vision repre-
sented the whole animal creation. There
were in it living creatures typical OF each
kind, not q 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.
| :lean. This particular vision was suggested
by Peters hunger. Chap. 10: 10.
8. Common or unclean." BY common,
whatsoever was in general use among the
Genties, is to be understood; by unc!ean,
everything that was forbidden by the Mo-
saic law. However, one word may be con-
sidered as explanatory of the other. The
rabbins and many OF the early fathers pe'
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 distinc-
lions DetWeen ciedu ouo uhSASoo' ~~A'
{: l4S Dan. !: 8-l2.
@. "Hath c,eansed." 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. W The old dispensa:.
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. II: 20.
10. Three times" For the greater Ger
tainty and in order that o deep and lasting
impression might be made on the apostle
mind. Compare Pharaoh's dream Gen.
81: 32l and Jcseph's Interpretation there:
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
H. "Eeho.d." Behold how remarka.
bly the incidents coincide! This shows
| that God 10 directing in the matter. I'm
med:ately.' St. Luke tells rs (chap. 10:
IN that when Peter had aroused from his
trance he was much perplexed in himself
(R, W, not knowing at first how to ap'
DIV what he had seen and heard.
l2. The Spirit" Before this God had
spoken to him with o voice, but here
spirit spoke to spirit" silently yet clear
Iy. "Nothils doubting.' Making no dis'
tinction." Il. v. Between Jew and Zen.
tile. But, according to the Cambridge
R;bIe This form OF the verb is not used
until after the events had taught him pre-,
cisely what the vision and the spiritual
IS. IAN angel" Cornelius referred to
this heavenly messenger as man IN
bright clothing
IL "Tell thee words" The gospel mes.
sage concerning Christ. "All thy house.
The assurance embraces them because they
were prepared, as well as Cornelius 70
welcome the apostles message. shall De
saved" They were indeed now saved, with
a present salvation, and yet, now that
Christ is presented, acceptance IS neces.
sary to a final salvation: Peter Is sent no! .!
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 bc:ore he had proceeded far in his
discourse. On them" On the Geptiles'
"As on u.s." The Jews. AT the begin
ming" On Pentecost. Acts 2: l-l3.
is. The Lord Peter remembered
Christ's words as recorded in Acts !: 5.
II. What was L." What right or pow:
er had l to oppose the nantes, will Of
God that TIC Gentiles should be recei7ed
into the Christian church; Withstand
God" Oppose or rcsis. God. He had
indicated His will and Peters prejudices
must give way.
Is. Held their peace They opposed
Peter no longer because they saw thai
| God had directed MIN in all he had done
and tat the Holy Spirit bad indorsed hi
action.
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