Battle Creek Bible Class, May 2, 1868.
By E. G. B.
SEVERAL questions came up for consideration, which, after considerable discussion, pro. and con., were laid over till the next session of the class. The following was the only question upon which final decision was had: Is it right to rent a house, or part of a house, to a family that perform all kinds of work that they desire to do, on the Sabbath? Upon examination of this question, it was found necessary to divide it into two parts in order that the sense of the class might be obtained. Therefore the following resolutions were offered and passed, with only one dissenting voice to each. 1. Resolved, That it is a violation of the commandment for a Sabbath-keeper to rent a portion of the house in which he resides, to one who does not keep the Sabbath. 2. Resolved, That we do not deem it a violation of the fourth commandment for a Sabbath-keeper to rent a house which he does not himself occupy, or which is remote from his dwelling, to one who does not keep the commandments. Verse 35. Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples. Q. What day is here referred to? A. Probably the one spoken of in verse 29, or two days after the one on which the Jews had been with John, verse 19. Q. Whose disciples are here spoken of? Q. What is the meaning of the word disciples? Q. What were the names of these disciples? A. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother (verse 40), and probably John the apostle, as a certain writer has said of him that “in everything in which he might receive honor he studiously endeavors to conceal his own name.” Verse 36. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! Q. Was this speech directed wholly to his disciples? A. It may have been an outburst of feeling, as he beheld the Saviour of the world, yet it is probable that it was more calculated to direct the minds of his own disciples to Jesus as the Light of the world and great Teacher of heavenly things. Verse 37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Q. For what purpose did they follow him? A. For the purpose of learning more of him. Verse 38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou? Q. What do they intimate by calling him Rabbi? A. That they wished to become scholars or learners, thus acknowledging his superiority. Rabbi signifies master. The Jews called their learned men Rabbis. Verse 39. He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day; for it was about the tenth hour. Q. What time of the day is here spoken of? A. Probably four o'clock in the afternoon, Jewish time. Macknight, however, is of opinion that the evangelist is to be understood as speaking of the Roman hour, which would be ten o'clock in the morning, hence the remark, “they abode with him that day,” implying that a considerable portion of time was spent with our Lord. Verse 40. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Q. In what country did this conversation and these acts take place? Q. How, then, do you reconcile this verse with Matt. iv, 18, 19, which speaks of their being called while fishing upon the sea of Galilee? A. John speaks of their first acquaintance with the Saviour, and not of their calling proper as in Matthew. When Jesus formally called Peter and Andrew, John the Baptist was in prison. Verse 41. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. Q. Why does he call him the Messias? Q. What is the meaning of Messias? A. The Anointed. “Messias” is a Hebrew word; and the corresponding word in Greek, Christos, means, The Anointed. Q. Why is Christ called the Anointed? A. It says in the Acts of the Apostles and letter of John, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power. It was also the custom to anoint the kings of Israel. Verse 42. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. A. To distinguish him from his father, as if he had said, Simon, son of Jona. Similar instances may be referred to among men of our own times, as Macknight, son of Knight; Van Buren, son of Buren, Fitz Henry, son of Henry, &c. Q. What kind of a word is Cephas? Q. By what other name is he sometimes called? A. Peter. Matt. xvi, 18. It is noticeable that in this language in Matthew the Greek word Petros, referring to Peter, is very different from the succeeding word Petra (a rock), referring to Christ. The first word, Petros, signifies only a little piece of a rock, or a stone, that has been dug out of a rock, referring to Peter; whereas, the second word Petra, referring to Christ, signifies a large rock, which is, comparatively, superior to a mere stone, or particle from the rock. This completely destroys the assumption of the Roman Catholics that St. Peter is the Rock upon which the church should be built. Verse 43. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Q. Is this the call of Philip? A. It probably is, as he was found of Christ, and called. Verse 44. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. A. In Galilee, west of the sea by that name.