The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 157

pleaded. But on this particular oocasion the apostles had not even attacked the rabbinical system. IV. '£HE TEACHINGS OF TREBB PRISONERS ACTUALLY TENDED TO PRESERVE BOOIAL ORDER A.1''1> MAKE BETTER CITIZENS. Such is everywhere the natural results of the preaching of Christ and the teaching of Christianity. Loyalty to Christ helps to secure loyalty to the earthly ruler, and the virtues Christianity cultivates find their expre88ion in the social and national spheres. Then why were these men arrested? Because the men in power were jealous of the influence they were gaining, and feared they would lose their own authority and influence on the people. Self-seeking is at the root of all religious persecution. And because the men who opposed them could not meet and answer them ..:n argument, they had to fall back upon the unworthy weapons of threatening and force (see vers. 16, 17). Impress that no physical bonds have ever yet been forged that could bind in tlie truth.-R. T, Ver. 11.-The despised Stone a sure Foundation. For the Scripture figure here used tho following passages may be compared :-ls.'l.. xxviii.16; Eph. ii. 20-22; 1 Pet. ii. 7. The construction of our modern buildings does not permit of special importance being given to a foundation-stone. We now put in memorial stonllll. Very probably the ::,cripture figure is taken from the immense work of masonry, found necessary at one corner of the temple area, in order to complete the sacred precincts. This corner foundation, raised right up out of the valley, made a deep impression on the Jewish mind, and was regarded as the foundation of the temple. Some prefer to think thaL reference may be to the virgin rock which was probably covered by the holy of holies, A foundation, in the sense of a basis-truth or principle, is necessary for a religious system or a personal faith. Here St. Peter's words are addressed to certain persons, e.nd we consider- L TRE Bun.DEBs. Such the Sanbedrim regarded themselves as being, because they were at the head of the ecclesiastical government of the people ; they settled the order of ceremonies, duties, and obligations, and required men virtually to take their religion from them. They would advise and direct, and the people should have no will of their own in religious matters. Explain that a new rabbinical system had grown up round the Mosaic, and crushed out its life. For this rabbinical system, as bringing the people entirely under their sway, the members of the Sanhedrim were so jealous. ]fix attention on the exceeding peril and amazing folly of men in trying to formulate and impose a religious system, when one had been fully revealed and its principles adequately detailed. No wonder they went astray, binding burdens on men's shoulders grievous to bear. No wonder they were wholly wrong, both in their foundation and in their supe1'structure. II. '£HEIR FOID.'DATION-BTO!.'E. What can man's foundation, for any religious system he may construct, ever be but works-man's worl.-s 1 There is nothing else tliey can select. II they want e.nytbing better, they must give up trying to find it or to lay it, and let God both find and lay. Disguise it how we may, call it by what skilful names we please, men's foundations for religious systems or personal hopes are always self; something we can do ourselves. Illustrate from other systems than Christianity, showing that self and self-service e.nd works are the foundations of Brahmauism, Mohammedanism, heathenism, and Catholicism. Those trying to feel confidence in the foundation-stone of self are sure to pass by, and fail to find interest or attraction in, the stone God offers to lay in Jesus Christ, the sure Foundation. This point may be urged in its application to personal religious seeking and experience. Many a man has had to see the utter ruin of his buildings rai:;ed on aelf, before Le could find interest in, or care to build upon, the liock of Agllll. Ill. THE CORRECTION OF THEm lldISTAKE, The great Master-Builder interfered, choosing bis own good and wise time. Sanhedrims and rabbis could only be under- builders. Because of their wilful errors be puts them aside, and sets forth the apostles in their stead-just as, in older days, he made prophets take the place of incapable JJriests-and bade those apostles lay firmly down the despised ::itone, even Jesus, the .Kazarene. It is to be the very Head of the corner, and the whole erection of the Christian Church is to lean safely up against it and upon it. Impress that still there t.re mistaken buildere, who palil:I by Christ, and assun1e authority to lay other /oundu- cm, 1v, 1-37,] THE ACTS OF TRK A.POSTLES. 153