pictures of a worse sickness and a deeper death than those of the body, Ephes. ii. 1. The life given them was the picture of a higher life, Ephes. ii. 4-6, "quickened,..raised,.. sit together." This is spoken of the soul. This life in the soul is religion. 2. This life comes only from Jesus.— What did Peter say to Eneas? To Whom did he pray for Dorcas ? The life came from Jesus: we must get soul-life from Him. 3. Turning and believing are the way to the Lord, see ver. 35, 42.-The Word of God, by the promises, shows the way to turn. The Holy Spirit will give us power to turn, and turning, we must stay nowhere short of Jesus. 4. The life we get from Jesus will be Jesus-like.-Jesus "went about doing good." See the character of Dorcas, ver. 36. One may suppose that when Dorcas was a little girl, she spoke kindly to her little companions, did kind little things, was full of kind little ways. Then she grew a woman, and made garments for widows and orphans. Begin in a child's way to do good; larger modes of usefulness will follow by and by. 5. Jesus has a great reward for people like Dorcas.-It is very likely many Christians lay dying or dead when Dorcas was sleeping the cold sleep in the upper chamber: she only was raised. The widows and the garments had something to do with this. But Jesus has a greater reward still, Matt. XXV, 34. QUESTIONS.-What brought Peter down to Lydda? What miracle did he perform there? In what respects did this contrast with similar miracles wrought by Jesus? What brought Peter to Joppa? What kind of a person had Dorcas been? What prophets of the Old Testament raised the dead? Whom did Jesus raise from the dead? What difference was there in these cases? What was the effect of these miracles? Where did Peter take up his residence? APRIL 12. THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE TANNER.-Acts x. 1-23. INTRODUCTION.-The historical position of this narrative should be clearly shown, Acts i. 8. We have seen the Church in Jerusalem; followed Philip to Samaria; been with Peter at Lydda, Joppa, Sharon; caught sight of the scattered lights of truth at Tyre and Damascus. But how about "the uttermost parts of the earth ?" Who will cross seas and mountains to reach them ? Ah! there is something worse then these to cross before they can be reached: prejudice of long standing and high sanction, that of the Jew against the Gentile. This Lesson tells us how this barrier was taken down, and by whom. TWO PLACES. - What are they? Joppa; quiet, old-fashioned; thoroughly Jewish, (Josh. xix. 46; 2 Chron. ii. 16; Jonah i. 3.) Cæsarea, thirty miles to the north, very new, built by Herod the Great, and called after Augustus Cæsar; the very name had an ill savour to Jewish ears. It was a busy port, and its inhabitants chiefly Gentiles. Heathen temples were amongst its public buildings; heathen altars were located in its streets: not the place for Jews. If Providence should bring Cæsarea and Joppa together, especially if Joppa should be compelled to ini tiate alliance, there would be some intimation that the call of the Gentiles had commenced. Two MEN.-Who are they? Cornelius, ver. 1, 2, 22. By nationality he was an Italian. Perhaps he was a Roman, for the Cornelian family was one of patrician rank in that city. He had the command of a hundred men, a portion of a body composed entirely of native-born Italians, in contrast with legions composed of foreigners. His comrades would be idolatrous, and the atmosphere of his life heathenish. Note the description of his character, ver. 2, 22. He was devout,-of a pious habit; feared God, the true God, not the idols of his own people. His piety expressed itself in worship, and sustained itself in prayer. ruled his family, and even persons only officially connected with him felt its influence, ver. 7. A fair reputation and a generous treatment of the Jews, the people, for whom the Romans generally entertained feelings of hatred and disgust, completes the portraiture. Still he was a Gentile. The superiority of Judaism had attracted his mind; but he had not become a proselyte or It AFTERNOON LESSONS. "joined member" of the Jewish Church. The whole narrative goes upon the fact that he was a representative of those who were excluded from the Jewish covenant. Who is the other person spoken of? Of what nation was he? He was the chief of the Apostles; all the twelve were Jews; all the Jerusalem Christians were Jews or proselytes; amongst them the habits of Jewish exclusiveness were still observed, as also the distinction of clean and unclean in food, ver. 14. If these two men are so brought together as to call each other "brother," then indeed the "middle wall of partition" will be "broken down!" TWO VISIONS.-God's direct intervention was needed to effect this union. Space is nothing to Him; He works at both cities, Cæsarea and Joppa; and He uses the same mode of revelation. A memorial,-something to remember him by; and now the remembrance was to take effect in direct guidance towards salvation. For this, probably, Cornelius had specially prayed, for from ver. 37, 38, it appears that he had heard of Jesus and the Gospel. His messengers would leave at about four o'clock p.m., we may suppose, and as thirty miles could not be accomplished before nightfall, the greater portion of the journey would be left to the following day. Read ver. 9-16. Note here time; place; purpose: describe vision. The time, twelve at noon; place, house-top: flat roofs in the East, very quiet at that hour; more solitary than a bedroom in an English house; purpose, prayer, one of the sacred hours of devotion; Ps. lv. 17 state, a trance; not a dull, stupid sleep, but an ecstasy: bodily sensations suspended through exhaustion, but the mind in a state of extreme activity. Heaven opened,-nothing impure can come out of heaven: a great sheet, God's new dispensation for all the world; knit at the four corners,North, East, South, and West are tied together by God's love; all manner.. air, these creatures were symbols of men, all included in God's plan; kill, and eat,-Peter must recognise this new plan. I have never eaten,-prejudice about food only a part of the stronger prejudice against Gentile peoples. This was done thrice,-that by repetition the lesson might be more deeply impressed. 45 FIRST STEPS TOWARDS INTERPRETATION.-V. 17-23. Peter could not catch the meaning of the vision; he doubted. Paul had recently stopped a fortnight with him, and the call of the Gentiles would form a topic of conversation between them, Acts ix. 15; xxii. 21; xxvi. 17. But Peter probably had understood that the conversion of the Gentiles would be through Judaism, and the vision did not mean this. God had cleansed all. So Peter" doubted." God will not let His call be intercepted by any human voice. Peter does not hear the men calling for him. God by His Spirit told him they were there, and that he must go. In the answer of the messengers of Cornelius, he would catch the first signs of the Divine interpretation. He was "not disobedient." Who were his companions? These brethren were Jews, (ver. 45,) and were to be witnesses with Peter of the opening of the Gospel dispensation to the Gentiles also." REFLECTIONS.-1. The sheet out of heaven may yet be seen in many places,schools, chapels, streets. The distinctions of rank, class, wealth, religion, harden men against each other. Pride and exclusiveness begin in youth. Boys and maidens should remember Peter's vision. 2. God's love should move our love.Jesus has died for all mankind: whom He has loved, we ought to love. 3. With love to guide us, we shall find good where we little expect it.-Peter did not think there was such a good man as Cornelius amongst those Italian soldiers. Light exposes the diamonds in the sand. Light is there in coal, but it needs light to bring it out. Love will guide you to the good and hopeful in the character of companions and friends. 4. God brings you in contact with them for the exhibition of this love, the finding of this good. 5. Have settled hours of devotion.Cornelius had; Peter had. God met them at the hour of prayer. It is well when the stroke of the clock says, "pray." QUESTIONS.-What kind of a town was Cæsarea? What was the difference between it and Joppa? Who was Cornelius? What kind of a man? What was the special object of his prayers? How did God answer it? At what time was Peter praying? What did he see? What is meant by the sheet coming down from heaven? By being "knit at the four corners?" By the creatures of every kind? By the repetition of the vision? How would Peter be led to apply the vision to the call of the Gentiles! Who went with him to Joppa? APRIL 19.- —THE HOUSE OF THE CENTURION.-Acts x. 24-48. INTRODUCTION.-If there be a secret in our mind, none can know it except we tell it. There was a secret in God's mind, see Ephes. i. 9; ii. 14-16; iii. 3 -6. No one could reach that mystery; God must take the covering from it. This is the reason why there is so much of God in this chapter. God sent the angel to Cornelius, ver. 3; God sent the vision to Peter, ver. 11; God said to him, Go with the men. In this Lesson we are told how facts obeyed visions, and the great Apostle of the Jews saw God's mind as to the Gentiles, and obeyed it. THE JEW AND THE GENTILE.-V. 24 -33. It is the noontide hour again: four days before, Cornelius had been praying at that very time; now the answer comes, ver. 30. Two days ago, Peter had seen a vision at that very hour, ver. 9; now he is to learn what the vision means. The messengers of Cornelius run forward to announce the approach of Peter. He advances to the threshold of his house in readiness to bid the Apostle welcome. The little group of seven Jews approaches. Who were they? ch. xi. 12. The Roman falls down at the feet of the Jew, ver. 25. A touch of heathenism there: Cornelius had seen emperors and officers of State receive religious homage: was there not something Divine about Peter, God's messenger, bringing God's news? But the Jew lifts up the Roman; I myself also am a MAN. Peter is learning his lesson rapidly. They two pass within, into the main court of the house; many people there; who? ver. 24. Like-minded with Cornelius; probably had heard from him of the angel's visit and its consequences. Then host and guest seat themselves. Peter tells why he has come, ver. 28, 29. Cor nelius tells why he sent, ver. 30-33. Notice the last words; these people were the "good ground" of the parable, Matt. xiii. 23. PETER'S SERMON.-V. 34-43. It has a beginning, ver. 34, 35; a middle, ver. 36-42; an end, ver. 43. It are. begins with God's love to all the The THE SEAL OF THE SERMON.-V. 44, 45, 46, first part. The call of the Jews was marked by the descent of the Holy Spirit, Acts ii. 1-4: so is the call of the Gentiles. This outpouring was sudden, while Peter yet spake; joyous, they magnified God in praise; complete, they spake with tongues, in various languages; a prelude of the song of the redeemed before the throne, "out of every nation and language and people and tongue." "FELLOW-HEIRS,..OF THE SAME BODY." -V. 46, latter part; 47, 48, with Ephes. iii. 6. What God had done, was now to be openly and formally acknowledged by His Church. The six brethren were more astonished than gratified by the issue of the matter, ver. 45; but Peter surrendered himself to Divine guidance, and by the rite of baptism, without circumcision, AFTERNOON LESSONS. received the Gentiles on equal terms into "the body of Christ." REFLECTIONS.-1. Remember that God knows the heart. Dress, manners, position, influence affect the sight and judgment of men. God looks within. 2. We must be very real in religion,real in little prayers, in little hymns, in little ways of doing and being good. 3. Little beginnings, if real, will not be unnoticed of God.-God saw in Cornelius the beginnings of a Christian; God remembered him, and brought salvation to his heart and home. 4. Jesus is Lord of all,-loved all, died for all, claims all. Have each of you acknowledged His claims? 5. Join the Church.-The provi 47 QUESTIONS.-How long did the journey to Cæsarea occupy? What took place on the threshold of the house of Cornelius? Whom did Peter find on entering? What was there surprising in his being there? How does the scene illustrate the Parable of the Sower? What is meant by God being "no respecter of persons?" What formed the substance of Peter's sermon? How did he apply it? What arrested it? What signs accompanied the descent of the Spirit? What did Peter's companions think? How did the scene close? APRIL 26. THE DISCIPLES FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS.-Acts xi. INTRODUCTION. - The whole of the chapter may be read, but there will be no need to say much in the Lesson on Peter's rehearsal of his doings. A few questions will suffice. The rapid spread of the Gospel under the free action of the Holy Spirit, is the main point to be kept in view. The events already transacted at Damascus, Samaria, and on the way to Gaza, should be recalled. As to the time of the work at Antioch, it appears to have been contemporaneous with Peter's visit to Joppa and Cæsarea, and to have commenced in a manner quite independent of it. PETER CALLED TO ACCOUNT.-V. 118. We are once more brought back to Jerusalem; perhaps the "upper room consecrated by Pentecost. A large body of Christians assembled; conversation very eager : what is it about? Who are there to reply? Note in the complaint, that the smallest point is made the most important, eating. Peter's defence is most fitting, a simple statement of facts, and concludes with a question that could only be answered by an approval of his conduct. Prejudice was given up, they held their peace, but the assent given to Peter's conduct was not apathetic: it uttered itself in reverential joy. Well was it that the Jerusalem Church should have been thrown into excitement, that the very first of the Apostles should have been frankly questioned, for the call of the Gentiles is confessed by parties most unfriendly to be of God. 66 "Now" AND" BUT."-V. 19-21. The now goes back to ch. viii. 4, and implies that the events about to be mentioned occurred whilst the episode at Cæsarea was being transacted, and was independent of it. Consider the PLACES mentioned: Phenice,-a strip of land, northward of Tyre, about one hundred and sixty miles in extent; Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean within easy sail of Phenice, and connected with that country by commerce; Antioch,-the capital of the Roman province of Syria, which lay to the north of Phenice, the third city of the Roman Empire; Cyrene,→ a portion of the north coast of Africa, corresponding to the modern Tripoli. Jews in large numbers were settled in all these places; but the mass of the population was Greek, and Greek was the spoken language. Having looked at the places, look at the preachers. "But" divides them into two sections. The first were Jews of Jerusalem, men bound narrowly down to the Jewish covenant by birth, education, and patriotism: so they preached the Gospel to none but the Jews only. The second section were men of Cyprus and Cyrene,-foreign, Greek-speaking Jews and proselytes: Jerusalem had been to them the Holy City; its people, the holiest. Now these associations were broken. Jerusalem was stained by the blood of Jesus, and the blood of the martyr; its people were malignant enemies of the beloved Name. The past was buried; the present ruled. These men were connected by tongue and trade, some by race, with the west, the western peoples and the future. Modern impulses fill up the channels from which old associations have been expelled: they speak the word to the "Grecians,' heathen Greeks. God's saving power seals their venture with approval, ver. 21. "TRUE YOKEFELLOWS."-V. 22—26. The spirit in which Barnabas was sent is apparent from the tone of the narrative: he was to inquire into the facts, and, if necessary, deter from any further prosecution of the movement. He was himself a foreign Jew, (ch. iv. 36;) and qualified to act tenderly: this was doubtless one reason why he was chosen but he had spiritual qualifications also; he was good,-of a candid, kindly temper; full of the Holy Ghost,— prepared to watch, recognise and obey the Spirit's work full of faith,loving_godliness beyond everything else. How could such a man see such a work without doing what he did? ver. 23. A sight and a song were not enough for such a man; he must work. He seeks a helper. Who? where? He knew of Saul's specific call to the Gentiles, ch. ix. 15, 27. Spirituallyminded Barnabas puts together providence and grace; the work, and the man to do it. From the work of the "true yokefellows sprang the name of Christian. Who invented it? The members of the Church? No! They called each other "believers" and "disciples." The Jews? No: they called the believers "Nazarenes" and "Galileans." Yes; The heathen? for the believers spoke about Christ, prayed to Christ, sang hymns to Christ; so they called them Christians. BROTHERLY KINDNESS.-V. 27-30. The famine here spoken of occurred A.D. 44, and fell most severely on Palestine and the other Asiatic provinces of the Roman Empire. The Church at Jerusalem, impoverished in its resources by persecution, would suffer most. These Gentile converts, regardless of their own exposure, for the famine might reach them also, give practical proof of "the communion of saints," and afford a beautiful illustration of 1 Cor. ix. 11. REFLECTIONS. 1. Beware of evilspeaking, take things on their best side, not their worst. The one-sided report from Cæsarea might have made mischief in Jerusalem. 2. Uprightness is a sure defence.— Peter told a straightforward story: it was enough. 3. Let us beware of "buts" in the way of the Lord.-Peter was afraid of a "but," lest he should hinder God's work. Not till the "but" was out of the way, did a 66 great number" believe. Teachers! beware of saying of the young "they are but children." Children! Do not say, I am but a child; why should I be a Christian? 4. Mark the highest style of a Christian, ver. 24.-Every such Christian will be a Barnabas, a "Son of Consolation." 5. How great is the power of love!— See how it conquered antipathies of race, and recognised the claims of necessity, ver. 29, 30. Since then, it has covered the world with the institutions of charity. It makes a child happy, a man happy, a home happy. QUESTIONS.-Who brought Peter to his defence? How did he defend himself? What was the verdict? Who first preached the Gospel in Antioch and neighbourhood? To whom? Who went further? how? with what results? Who came down from Jerusalem? why? What sort of a man was he? What did he think of the work? Whom did he call to his help? Who invented the name "Christian?" How did the Gentile converts exhibit Christian charity? J. ROCHE, PRINTER, 25, HOXTON-square, LONDON. |