[Lately had they all fled from their Master through fear of participating his troubles ; but now they face the whole Sanhedrim, undaunted, undismayed. They knew that God was on their side ; and therefore they " feared not what man could do unto them." This was, and ever will be, the effect of true religion : " the righteous are as bold as a lion :" and they who truly fear God, will cast off every other fear ]
2. How forcible their appeal ! — [Their words were few, but unanswerable : for who can doubt whether man should rule, or God ? Who can hesitate to determine the question in general, or how to act upon it in his own case ? If man can do more for us than God, or prove a more formidable enemy than God, then may we prefer his favour before God's, and have a greater dread of his dis- pleasure : but if man be so weak as to be crushed before the moth, then may we set at nought all his threatenings, and persist without fear in the service of our God. Indeed, if " we have seen, and heard" aright the blessed truths of the Gospel, we shall so feel their constraining influence, as to defy every effort of men or devils to counteract them.]
From this history then we may learn,
1. What is that doctrine we are concerned to hear
[That is the true doctrine which proclaims salvation in
"the name of Jesus." This it was which the Apostles preached ; and which every minister must preach. There is indeed " salvation in no other name ;" and therefore all who desire salvation should embrace it with their whole hearts ]
2. What is the treatment we must expect to meet with —
[If we either preach or profess the foregoing doctrine, we must expect the same scenes to be again realized as were exhibited in the Apostles' days. The enmity of the human heart against God is still the same as ever ; and " they who are born after the flesh will still, as much as ever, persecute those who are born after the Spirit." " Let none then think it strange, if a fiery trial be sent to try them" ]
3. What is that conduct we are bound to observe
[Amidst all the injuries they sustained, the Apostles
yielded not either to invective or complaint. But they were immoveable as rocks. Thus must we possess our souls in patience, and maintain our profession steadfast unto the end ]