Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/798

 destroy it,  lest,  perhaps,  you  be  found  to  oppose  God.”  They agreed with  Gamaliel,  and  calling  in  the  apostles,  they  scourged them and charged  them  to  speak  no  more  in  the  Name of Jesus.

But the  apostles  went  forth  from  the  presence  of  the  Council rejoicing that  they  were  accounted  worthy  to  suffer  reproach for the  Name  of  Jesus. They went  daily  to  the  Temple,  and from house  to  house, teaching  and  preaching  to  the  people, proclaiming everywhere  the  glory  and  power  of  the  Crucified Saviour of  the  world.

Jesus is  King  and  Lord  of  all  the  redeemed,  and  the  Supreme  Head of the  Church,  Militant,  Suffering,  and  Triumphant. Jesus being  our Lord and  King,  it  follows  that  we  ought  to  serve  Him,  do  His  will  in all  things,  and  follow  His  example.

The Primacy  and  Supremacy  of  Peter.  God  gave  special  miraculous powers to  Peter,  so  as  to  distinguish  him  as  the  supreme  head  on  earth of His  Church. If the  sick  were  brought  near  him  — even  within reach of  his  shadow  — they  were  cured. There is  nothing  less  substantial or  less  real  than  a shadow,  and  yet  our  Lord  worked  miracles by even  the  shadow  of  His  vicar. The primacy  of  Peter  was  also signified by  his  being  always  the  one  to  speak  in  the  name  of  the  other apostles.

The Indestructibility  of  the  Church  is  a proof  of  her  divine  origin, or, in  other  words,  that  she  is  founded  by  God. The wise  Gamaliel's words  were  very  true! “If this  work  be  of  men,  it  will  come  to  nought: but if  it  be  of  God,  you  cannot  overthrow  it.”  All  human  works, doctrines and  contrivances  pass  away  in  time,  and  only  those  which have their  foundation  in  the  Eternal  God  endure. The Church  of Christ  has  survived  all  persecutions,  all  heresies,  and  all  the  divisions of kingdoms  and  races,  and  is  spreading  herself  continuously,  in  spite