NOTE.—This lesson section includes the whole chapter to verse 31, with a review of chapter 3. A single event and its outcome are the theme of these two chapters. The time of this lesson, as of the one preceding, was soon after Pentecost, and the places brought to view are Jerusalem, the Sanhedrin, the porch of Solomon’s temple, and the prison into which the apostles were cast. It will be profitable as well as interesting to study in connection with these lessons the rise of the early church, the manifestations of the Spirit of God working through it, the persecutions through which it passed, and the causes which led to the “falling away” and the revealing of the “man of sin.”
1 “And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they 3 laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5 “And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high 7 priest. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what 10 means this man is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 He is the stone which was set at naught of you the builders, 12 which was made the head of the corner. And in none other is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved. 13 “Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that 14 they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”
Golden Text.—“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) How were the apostles engaged at this time? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) Who came upon them? Ib. Note 2. (3) What three things grieved the leaders of the Jews? Verse 2. Note 3. (4) What action was taken by the Jewish officers? Verse 3. (5) Why were they not tried at once? Ib. Note 4. (6) With what result was this discourse attended? Verse 4. (7) To what size had the church now attained? Ib. Note 5. (8) Who were assembled at the trial of Peter and John? Verses 5, 6. Note 6. (9) What position did the apostles occupy? Verse 7. Note 7. (10) What question was put to them? Ib. Note 8. (11) How was Peter prepared to answer them? Verse 8, first part. (12) In what respectful manner did Peter address his accusers? Verse 8, last part. (13) To what act of Peter’s is reference made in verse 9? (14) Through whose name did Peter claim the miracle was wrought? Verse 10. (15) Compare the stand taken at his own trial with that taken at the trial of Christ. (16) In connection with Peter’s declaration of what did he accuse the leaders of the Jews? Ib. (17) How did he show that their course was contrary to the will of God? Ib. (18) In what way did he show the exalted position of Christ? Verse 11. (19) To what great truth did Peter here give utterance? Verse 12. Ans.—Life only in Christ. (20) What cause for wonder had the Jews? Verse 13, first clause. (21) What did they recognize? Verse 13, last clause. Note 9. (22) How was the Sanhedrin affected by the living evidence of Peter’s work? Verse 14.
NOTES.
1. Spake unto the people.—The teachings of Peter, and his declaration of Christ’s power to save, were enforced by the living object lesson of that power manifested through Peter in behalf of the impotent man. The working of that power in their midst was an indisputable evidence of the resurrection of the crucified Christ; and in consequence of this multitudes flocked to Solomon’s porch.
2. Came upon them.—The preaching of Peter was interfering with the services of the temple, and the priests and leaders of the Jews naturally resented such interference. Many were listening to Peter who would otherwise have been attending worship or receiving instruction in other parts of the temple. With Peter and John condemned, the people would seek the usual places of worship—a principle well illustrated by the action of the church convention at Carthage in the year 401, which petitioned the emperor “that the public shows might be transferred from the Christian Sunday, and from feast days, to some other day of the week” because “the people congregate more to the circus than to the church”13(“Neander,” vol. 2, p. 300); also by any and all religious laws designed to coerce belief or acts designed as the outward symbols of belief.
3. Being grieved.—The Jewish leaders were grieved that Peter and John, being ignorant men, should presume to teach, an occupation which the learned scribes and Pharisees alone might claim; they were grieved that the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified, was being so prominently and forcibly brought before the people; and especially were they grieved that resurrection from the dead, a thing in which many of them did not believe at all, was being taught the people, and that through Him whom they had condemned as a malefactor.
4. Unto the next day.—The Sanhedrin could not lawfully be assembled except by daylight.
5. Was about five thousand.—A better translation would be, “became about five thousand;” that is, the number of believers up to and including the time of this incident amounted to about five thousand. This rendering is borne out by the original.
6. Their rulers, refers to the chief priests, heads of the twenty-four courses. Elders, those heads of families who had seats in the Sanhedrin. Annas, the deposed by the Romans, was still regarded by the Jews as the high priest. Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas and was high priest by appointment of the Roman Government. The offices of John and Alexander are not known, but they were men of unquestioned influence in the Sanhedrin.
7. Set them in the midst.—“The Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle, with the president in the center.”—Stokes.
8. The leaders of the Jews could not deny the fact of the miracle performed, for the living witness was before them. Their hope was to convict the apostles of sorcery, and put them to death, applying the directions laid down in Deuteronomy 13. But the answer of Peter, dictated by the Holy Spirit, left the learned Sanhedrin with nothing to say.
9. They had been with Jesus.—The words of Jesus were familiar to many of the Jews. His fearless teachings were known to them, and with his miraculous healing power they were well acquainted. The course which the apostles were pursuing, and the words they were speaking, were so closely patterned after their risen Teacher that even the Jews could see him reflected in them. Jesus was speaking through them; he was healing through their touch.
37 “But some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?” 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh; for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. 41 And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multitude which standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me. 43 And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 “Many therefore of the Jews, which came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.
47 “The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. 49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 Now this he said not of himself; but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.”
QUESTIONS.
1. In what question did some of the Jews reveal their unbelief?
2. How did this affect Jesus?
3. What description is given of the grave?
4. What did Jesus direct to be done?
5. What protest did Martha then offer?
6. What reply did Jesus make to her?
7. What was then done?
8. For what did Jesus express his thanks to the Father?
9. How did he indicate his uniform confidence in God?
10. Why did he offer a public prayer?
11. At the conclusion of his prayer, what did Jesus say?
12. What was the result of this command?
13. What was the condition of Lazarus?
14. What command did Jesus give?
15. What was the effect of this miracle upon many of the Jews?
16. What did some of them do?
17. What action was immediately taken? What inquiry was made in the council? What was the cause of this inquiry?
18. What seemed to them to be the inevitable result of further inaction?
19. Who was Caiaphas? and with what statement did he begin his counsel?
20. What prophetic statement did he then make?
21. Did Caiaphas really say more than he was aware of?
22. How broad an application did his words have?
23. What was the result of his advice?
NOTES.
1. “ALL God’s works are wont to have a small beginning. Behold, he who was about to raise the dead commanded the stone to be taken away, as if he could not remove it by the same power of his word, or make the dead look out alive through the stone! Why, then, does he perform the greater thing, the awakening from death, whilst he leaves undone the smaller thing, as also afterwards the loosing of the grave-clothes? Now, this is the order in which he still works his wonders. Daily he nourishes us through his almighty word, but he incloses the sustaining power in the bread which we eat. By the word of the Lord the plants and fruit grow, yet he commands to plow and to sow, to plant and to water.” “His kindness does not permit us to be idle spectators of his works, but earnest helpers of them. Even in the work of raising sinners from spiritual death, he makes use of human hands which ‘take away the stone,’ and afterwards ‘loose’ the grave-clothes; the act of quickening to life,—this he reserves for himself, his voice must do that.”
2. Jesus had already announced that this sickness was “for the glory of God.” The glory of God is his character, what he really is, and this is always “revealed from faith to faith.” Moses desired to see the glory of God (Ex. 33:18), and it was shown to him in the revelation of the character of God (Ex. 34:5–7). That this glory might be seen by all, Christ, who is the brightness (or outshining) of his Father’s glory (Heb. 1:3), veiled his divinity with humanity, and came to be the “glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32). In his first miracle he “manifested forth his glory” (John 2:11), and throughout his ministry he has continued to do so. This miracle is the climax. “This demonstration of the power of Christ was the crowning manifestation offered by God to man as a proof that he had sent his Son into the world for the salvation of the human race.”—Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 366.
3. EVERY individual will at some time “see the glory of God.” Those who by “looking unto Jesus” with the eye of faith, see this glory “in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6), and thus “are changed into the same image” (2 Cor. 3:18), will “be conformed to the body of his glory” (Phil. 3:21, R. V.), and together with “the King of glory” (Ps. 24:7) will enter “that great city, . . . having the glory of God, . . . for the glory of God did lighten it.” Those who refuse to be hidden in the Rock Christ Jesus (Ex. 33:22) will in that day see the glory of God as a “devouring fire” (Ex. 24:17), for such he is to sinners out of Christ (Heb. 12:29).
4. “LAZARUS stands before them, not as one emaciated from disease, and with feeble, tottering limbs, but as a man in the prime of life, and in the vigor of a noble manhood, his eyes beaming with intelligence and love for his Saviour. He bows at the feet of Jesus and glorifies him. A dumb surprise at first seizes all present; but now succeeds an inexpressible scene of rejoicing and thanksgiving. The sisters receive their brother back to life as the gift of God, and with joyful tears, brokenly express their thanks and praise to the Saviour. But while brother, sisters, and friends are rejoicing in this reunion, Jesus retires from the exciting scene, and when they look for the Life-giver, he is nowhere to be found.”—Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, pp. 365, 366.
5. “DEATH gives way before Christ’s word of power sooner than unbelief does.” “The Pharisees, who had rejected all lesser evidence, were only enraged at this new miracle of raising the dead in the full light of day and before a crowd of witnesses.”—Id., p. 367.
6. “It is deserving of remark that when, forty years after, Jerusalem, stained with the murder of Jesus, fell under the avenging sword which God gave into the hand of the Romans, those only escaped destruction who believed in Christ.” They did not let this man alone, and the Romans did come and take away their place and their nation. Man proposes, but God disposes.
7. “The gift of prophecy, which the predecessors of Caiaphas had formerly exercised through ‘the Light and Right’—the Urim and Thummim (Ex. 28:30)—had been long extinguished, but it was once more to light up in the high priest of this year, in order that from Moses’ seat, the one true Offering for sin might be set forth before the eyes of the people. Caiaphas and Pilate condemned Jesus, but both were constrained to testify of him in words whose meaning went far beyond what they themselves were aware of.”
8. “JESUS had now given three years of public labor to the world. His example of self-denial and disinterested benevolence was before them. . . . Yet this short period of three years was as long as the world could endure the presence of its Redeemer.” “They had long sought to kill him, but from that day their determination was thenceforward fixed.”
Suggestions for Further Study.
1. In this connection call up some of the short prayers recorded in the Bible. How will the length of Christ’s secret prayer compare with the length of his public prayers?
2. How did the chief priests and the Pharisees bear witness to the convincing character of Christ’s work?
3. Which constitutes a better basis for faith, to see such a miracle as this, or to have the record of it in the Scriptures?
5. Through what agency were the miracles of Christ wrought?
6. What other wicked man was used to utter prophecies of good concerning God’s people? What lesson is taught by these facts?
7. How is life only in Christ taught in this lesson?
News and Notes
FOREIGN.
—Late advices from Asia state that thousands are still dying of starvation in the famine-stricken regions of India.
—Bolivia and Peru are both arming in anticipation of a conflict which both governments claim is near at hand and unavoidable.
—Fifteen persons lost their lives in the wreck of the steamship Belgique off the coast of France on the morning of January 5.
—The Bubonic plague, which raged one year ago in China, is rapidly extending among the natives of India, and large numbers of fatalities are reported.
—Sweden is now preparing with all possible activity for the fourth great Scandinavian exhibition, which will take place in Stockholm from May 15 to Oct. 1, 1897.
—The convent of the Ursuline nuns, at Roberval, Quebec, was completely destroyed by fire on the morning of January 6, and seven of the nuns perished in the flames.
—The Imparcial, Heraldo, and Correspondencia, three Spanish newspapers, have been forced, by government prosecution, to withdraw their correspondents from Havana.
—The property of the late shah of Persia is valued at $200,000,000, of which two-fifths is in cash and bullion. It is rumored that his successor will devote $20,000,000 of this amount in promoting the civilization of Persia.
—Eight gigantic steamships, each capable of carrying more passengers and cargo than the famous "Great Eastern," are now under construction at German shipyards, for service between Europe and the United States.
—The deputation recently sent from Porto Rico to Madrid to ask for the prompt carrying out of promised reforms, has failed to secure from the Spanish Government a satisfactory response. They claim that the West Indian autonomists want much more than the ten royal decrees guarantee, and that they can not accept the government's measures. In this the Spanish Government has another trouble brewing.
—The Angoni Zulus, who invaded Nyasaland and burned the British stations, besides massacring the inhabitants of several villages, have been dispersed by the British forces. The leader of the uprising was captured and hanged.
—The steamer Dauntless has successfully landed another cargo of munitions of war on the island of Cuba. The cargo consisted of 14,184 rifles, 500,000 cartridges, 600 machetes, 1,000 pounds of dynamite, with medicines and other supplies.
—Late advices from Cape Town, South Africa, state that the uprising of the Tamigs reserve in Bechuanaland, is assuming serious proportions. A parley has been refused, fighting has occurred, and the British have been obliged to wait for reinforcements.
—Recent advices from Honduras are to the effect that another serious revolution may be expected in that state within the next two weeks. The feeling against President Bonilla is very strong, and is being encouraged by Vasquez, his opponent for the presidency.
—A rotary steam engine, which will revolutionize the science of steam power, has been patented by a telegraph operator of Minnesota. An English company has purchased the patent rights for the sum of $7,100,000, the largest price paid for any patent in recent years.
—Secretary Olney has received a cablegram from the Venezuelan Government confirming its acceptance of the arbitration agreement reached between Great Britain and the United States, thus removing the last obstacle to an amicable settlement of the dispute.
—On January 4 thirteen conspirators were shot at Manila, Philippines. On the same day a battle was fought on the Pasig River, resulting in the death of ten Spaniards and thirty-two insurgents. In another engagement the Spaniards claim to have completely defeated the insurgents, slaying 1,100 of their number.
—The proposed gigantic railway system connecting the United States with the Central and South American states, has been favorably reported upon by the engineers appointed to survey the route, and several of the governments interested have begun work on the construction of the line through their respective territories.
—The drafts of the Pacific Cable Commission were signed on January 6 by representatives of the British, Canadian, and Australian Governments. The cable between Victoria, B. C., and the Australian and New Zealand colonies is to be completed within two years, at an estimated cost of $10,000,000, and will touch none but British soil, leaving Hawaii to be tapped by a branch line.
—The federation of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Salvador under one general government has become an accomplished fact. The union is based on a plan similar to that of the United States, and its affairs will be administered by a diet composed of one representative from each state. There will, however, be no individual head corresponding to the President of the United States. Guatemala and Costa Rica have also been invited to join the federation.
—Reports from Cuba state that on New Year's day a desperate battle was fought between 1,200 Spanish soldiers and 1,500 Cubans, in which the latter were completely victorious. It is claimed that the Spanish loss was 11 officers and 140 privates killed and 200 wounded. The Cuban loss was 60 killed and 90 wounded. In an attempt to carry the Cuban stronghold in the hills of Pinar del Río, Colonel Segura, with 2,000 Spanish soldiers, was drawn into ambush and routed with heavy loss.
DOMESTIC.
—United States Minister Willis is reported dying at Honolulu.
—A fire truck, propelled by compressed air instead of horses, is the latest invention of an ingenious Brooklyn man.
—Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Newell, paymaster of the Army of the Potomac, died on January 5 at his home in New Brunswick, N. J.
—During the heavy gale off the Atlantic Coast on December 23, the schooner Calvin B. Orcutt was wrecked and her entire crew lost.
—Willard B. Perkins, of Lawrence, Mass., who died recently at Colorado Springs, left $96,000 to charitable and educational institutions.
—The Japanese Government has placed orders with two American ship-building firms for two swift, armored cruisers. The two vessels will cost $3,000,000.
—On the morning of December 26 the Chicago police raided a State Street resort, and captured thirty-seven professional crooks, among whom were six women.
—A number of wealthy men, of New York City, who have been influenced by the recent Moody meetings, have provided ample funds for a great series of revival services.
—The pope of Rome has presented to the library of Stanford University an exact reproduction of an ancient book discovered among the Aztec Indians shortly after the conquest of Mexico by the Spanish. It is claimed to be one of the most wonderful relics of ancient American literature extant.
—The Historical Society of Massachusetts is now agitating the question of preserving the frigate Constitution, the memory of whose victories is held sacred by every American patriot.
—James Kirk, who in 1844 strung the first telegraph line, between Baltimore and Washington, has been stricken with paralysis, and is in a critical condition at his home in Piqua, Ohio.
—During the year 1896 there was coined in the United States $30,093,000 in gold and $5,674,989 in silver, making a total of $35,767,989, the largest amount coined during any one year since 1878.
—Miss Caroline J. Bartlett, pastor of the People's Church of Kalamazoo, Mich., officiated at her own marriage on January 1, to Augustus W. Crane. This is probably the first instance of the kind on record.
—The Salvation Army has a gospel ship among the Indians of Alaska. A government tug which was wrecked and abandoned was secured by the Indians, who, being members of the Army, dedicated it to the mission work.
—The filibustering steamer Commodore, carrying supplies for the Cuban army, went down in twenty fathoms of water off the coast of Florida on the morning of January 2, and eight of her crew of twenty-eight are reported lost.
—There will be tested at Providence, R. I., this month an electrical ship, provided with fourteen propellers, for which the inventor claims a speed of 45 miles an hour. If the experiment is a success, a voyage across the Atlantic will be reduced to about three days.
—On January 3 the Mississippi Valley states suffered the heaviest storm of recent years. In Missouri and Arkansas the fall of rain has raised the rivers from eighteen to twenty-two feet. The storm in Nebraska turned to a blizzard, blocking railroads and disorganizing street-car service.
—W. A. Hammond, vice-president of the National Bank of Illinois, which closed recently, committed suicide January 2 by jumping in the lake near Evanston. On the same day Henry Husted, cashier of the Union County National Bank of Indiana, was found hanging to a rafter in a stable.
—Over 230 prisoners of the Yuma, Arizona, prison would now be roaming at large over the country, but for the accidental discovery of their well-laid plans. A tunnel was dug through thirty feet of cement formation and eight feet of solid rock before the prison authorities detected the scheme.
—The final decree of foreclosure and sale of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway was filed by the clerk of the United States Circuit Court, December 26, the moneys collected to be turned over to the State Trust Company of New York, in payment of first mortgages. The company has 30 days in which to redeem its property.
—On January 13 a train of 160 cars loaded with salt will leave Silver Springs, New York, for Boston, Mass. As this salt was purchased contingent upon the election of William McKinley, he will start the train himself by means of electrical connections between his residence and the locomotives of this mammoth salt train.
—The revival services recently begun in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, under the direction of Mr. Moody, are to be extended to Chicago and Cincinnati. Advocates of a revival in the latter places desire to proceed at once, “while religious enthusiasm is sweeping the country.” It is expected that the interest thus aroused will affect the entire cities and result in mass meetings.
—The Polish Catholic Church of Bay City, Mich., engaged in another riot on January 5. A thousand warring Poles stormed the church, battering down doors and smashing windows, while the priest and his body-guard assailed the mob with missiles from the second-story windows. The entire police force was unable to quell the disturbance, and a number of the participants were seriously injured. How can the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus be reconciled with such sacrilegious acts as these in the house professedly erected for his worship?
—H. R. Bill No. 4566, known as the Loud Bill, has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 144 to 105. The provisions of the bill relate to the postal rates on matter now being sent through the mails at the second-class rate, that is, at the rate of one cent per pound; and will exclude from the second-class rate all sample copies of any publications whatever, together with serials, supplements, premiums, or publications which are “merely books or reprints of books, whether issued complete or in parts, whether they be bound or unbound, or whether they be sold by subscription or otherwise.” The bill also makes necessary the payment of third-class rates on all magazines and periodicals sent out on sale and subsequently returned to the publishers. It is estimated that the passage of this measure will reduce the manufacture and consumption of white paper about 100,000 tons annually, and will proportionally reduce the amount of printing and binding, throwing thousands of men and women out of employment. Publications heretofore sent out as libraries will be compelled to discontinue or to patronize express companies, whose rates may also be raised on account of the withdrawal of competition in the postal service. Strenuous efforts will be made by publishers to defeat the bill when it reaches the Senate.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR 1897.
By Editor
The SIGNS OF THE TIMES presents as an appeal to the public Great and Important Truths told in simple English, and backed by the Living Word of God.
What It Has Been
its readers well know. In 1896 every phase of the Gospel of Christ was set forth more or less fully. The great and important doctrines which are agitating the world to-day have been discussed with lucidity and simplicity.
Many of the subjects presented were illustrated; and our five symposium numbers, if published in pamphlet form, would have brought at low rates one-half the price of the paper. It is safe to say that no religious weekly in the land presented before its readers more Gospel Truth than did the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during 1896.
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We expect, by the blessing of God and the cooperation of our subscribers and friends, to do even better in the year 1897. It shall be our aim to “abound more and more.”
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