Washington telegraph., 1927-04-15

graf criticism and object of much |
antagonism, especially The accepted
religious leaders Of The Jewish peo-
pie at that time.
Opinions had been formed about
him by those who reached the in
fluence of his presence. His select !
band of disciples from their close |
association with him should be bet
ter able to understand his purpose
and mission than anybody else, yet, |
at The same time, from their easy
mixing with the various audiences
they would be able to know what
men thought him to be. So, in this
little period of heart -to-heart fell
lowship, Jesus asks his intimate fol-
lowers what men thought Of him.
The answers were complimen-
tary. Some Jews regarded him MS
John the Baptist, returned to active
ministry following his death by He
rod Anipas, which in itself placed
him definitely as a supernatural be-
ing. Others thought he was Elijah,
the great prophet, who had never
tasted death rs other men. who in
ages had fought the great battle
against pagan faith and won the
victory, which, too, was giving him
high rank. Still, there were those
who considered him to be jeremiah,
rturned to lead his people TO greater
| glory, or some other prophet rome
to bless his people. All Of which
was praiseworthy and complimentary
but not enough.
Then, Jesus put TO his closest
disciples a very personal and gearcn-
ing question, "who say We that i
am?" Without hesitation, the i'm
petuous Peter replied, recognizing
his divine nature, and calling upon
himself a blessing more personal
than those usually given by Jesus,
who recognized that this great re-
velation Of faith had come to Peter
as a result of divine inspiration.
The same vital interrogatory still
comes to men. Differences of opin-
ion still exist among the children
of men as to who Jesus was-noGe
fail to rank him as a great teacher,
wonderful example, but there nro
thousands today who would reply
in the same words used by Peter
then.
upon this rock" Christ promised
to build his church, and .heologiang
of different beliefs have differed on
the interpolation. There are some
who affirm that Jesus referred 20
Peter himself. To us this belief is
difficult of acceptance. In few
moments Christ was 20 rebuke Pet
er decisively, addressing him as Sa-
tan, characterizing him rs n stunlb-
ling-block, and charging him with
being unmindful of the things Of
God. Weeks afterwards Peter was
to deny his leader, as well. On the
other hand. the confession Of faith
has always remained The corner
stone of Christian faith and BELIEF.
Nor are the other words spoken
! TO Peter logically TO be inferred as
, granting unto him peculiar and ex-
j elusive power to regulate the
church. Peter never exercised any
personal dictation to the early
church, He was criticised by nthep
apostles in regard TO bis treatment
Of Cornelius; he played only . SUB.
ordinate part ut the Council Of le.
rusalem, Of which James was recog
nized the head; St. Paul was to Op-
! pose Peter to his face in another
matter affecting the Gentle ron-
| verts; and, finally, in the letter Of
Peter, accepted as genuine witaou.
hesitation, he refers to himself as
one "who am a fellow elder"
But, the rock Of The Christian
church is the faith Of mankind that
Jesus was The son of God. His
teachings were not only supreme
philosophy but a reflection of di-
, vine desire for men. His life was
perfect because he was divine and
only could give to humanity the
pure model for all others to live by.
A man can admire his teachings
without believing him to be divine,
but only those who accept him rs
their savior can call upon him for
help in their times of spiritual trial
and receive thereby renewed
strength for the combat.