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the notion th a t the world is etern al; (4) F atalism , the superstition th a t no intelligence presides over the universe; (5) Polytheism , th e fancy th a t th ere are and can be many gods; (6) R itu al ism, th e imagination th a t God can be honored by purely external perform ances; (7) Evolutionism , the hypothe sis th a t man is a product of force and m a tte r; (8) Indifferentism , th e creed th a t man should seek nothing and no one higher th a n himself; (9) Optimism, the delusion th a t th is is th e best pos sible world and man has no sin of which to rep en t; (10) Unitarianism , the’ tenet th a t Christ was an ordinary member of th e race; (11) Anm'hilationism, th e be lief th a t after death is nothing; f l 2 ) Universalism , th e sentim ent th a t all will eventually be saved.— Sel. Note God’s th ree gre&t books about Himself: (1) The book of th e world, in two parts, (a) N ature (vv. 24, 25), (b) H istory (v. 26>; (2) Book of the heart, in two p arts, (a) Reason (v. 27), (b) Conscience (v. 2 8 ); The Book of Scripture, in two parts, (a) Law (v. 30), (b) Gospel (v. 31).— Gerok. v. 25. Not worshipped w ith men’s hands. God is worshipped in th e Spirit and not by th e hand.—--Cook. v. 26. Made of one blood. Some base a teaching of universal brotherhood of man on th is verse. It describes God’s relation to man only as Creator. Son- ship is founded on new b irth (Jn. 1:11, 12; 3 :5 ; 1 Jn. 1 :1 -3 ). As C reator God is “F ath e r of our sp irits” (Heb. 12 :9 ). The doctrine of Universal F atherhood and common brotherhood was born in a Universalist church. I t was accepted by certain Congregational preachers who divided th e church of New Eng land, form ing the Universalist Church. — Eliot. v. 29. Offspring of God. Refers to the creative work (Gen. 1:26, 27), thus rebuking the thought th a t the Godhead is like unto gold; etc. The word “F a th e r” is no t used, nor does the passage affirm anything concerning Fatherhood or sonship, which are relations based upon faith and new b irth .— Scofield. v. 30. Times of th is ignorance. God had not imputed to men the errors which they comm itted in ignorance but now the case is changed (Rom. 3 :2 5 ). Men cannot plead ignorance who have heard of Christ (Lk. 12:48),-J-Lumby. W inked at. Overlooked or bore w ith w ithout interposing to punish it, other wise th an suffering the debasing tend-
v. 21. Some new thing. I t is the same today w ith the upper and lower classes in our cities. One thing is ever supplanting ano ther.— Stier. v. 22. Ye men of A thens. P aul gets into th is celebrated gathering of phil osophers and university professors. He has no new Gospel for th is distinguished throng, bu t w ith divinely given tact he introduces it in a new way (24-28). He begins w ith what appears like words of approval, not w ith criticism. He brings in new and higher thoughts about God and step by step leads them face to face w ith God Himself.— Torrey. Ye are too superstitious. “Religious,” meaning they adm itted everything th a t came w ith a new dress of religion. Is not th a t the case w ith many today?— Sel. v. 23. H im declare I unto you. A sta rtlin g declaration th a t he whom they had denounced as a babbler was pre pared to acquaint them w ith the tru e personality and character of th a t Divin ity they were ignorantly worshipping. By no means a modest pretension, yet splendidly fulfilled.J&Whitelaw. v. 24. God th a t made th e world. The Supreme Being was exhibited in five aspects: (1) As C reator— a tru th de nied by both sects of the philosophers. (See Acts 14:15; Rom. 11:36; 2 Cor. 5 :18 ; Eph. 3 :9 ; Heb. 3 :4 .) (2) As Lord of heaven and earth (Matt. 11:25; cf. Gen. 1 4 :22 ), th e absolute owner ship of th e universe flowing of neces sity from God’s relationship to it as C reator (Rom. 1 0 :12 ). (3) As filling immensity w ith His presence and th ere fore as being incapable of being con fined as idols in temples made w ith hands (7 :4 9 ). (4 ) As self-sufficient and independent of His creatures. In capable of being profited by any service th a t m ight be rendered by m an’s hands, God was equally removed from the necessity of requiring such service. In both respects He transcended the divini ties they worshipped who not only in habited and were confined to th eir shrines b u t were supposed to be in need of and benefited by th e sacrifices laid upon th e ir altars. (5) As the source of life and blessing to His dependent creatu res (cf. 14:17; Ps. 104:14, 15, 27, 28; 145:15, 16; Matt. 5 :45 ; 1 Tim. 6 :1 7 ).— Horn. Com. Note the errors th a t th is sermon cor rected: 111 Atheism,, th e dogma th a t th ere is no God; (2) Pantheism , the theory th a t all is God; (3 ) Materialism,
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