The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 13

proceeding t.o a oonferenoe with the papista, "Bring me the little word BOl<J, i.e. tJlone, faith Oflly, back~r oome not back at all I" 2. They told good news on the way. They told of the oonversion of the heathen, and the news was reoeived with great joy, Here we.s e. great argument for Paul, gathered on the way, So does God solve our disputes_ in words by the irresistible logic of his f&ts. 3. At Jerusalem they tell the great thmgs God has done for them. The facts of the past are rrophetic of the future. Divine mercy as an historical fact is the basis of sure hope l\lld confidenoe. The temper of devout recollection and thanksgiving fits the mind for the view of present duties.-J. Vers. 6-21.-77ie council at Jerusalem. The claim of the Judaizers is sharply and ab~olutely put. Circumcision is a necessity ; the Law of Moses must be observed. The whole question is open, and the air is foll of debate. I. DISCOURSE OF PETER. 1. The question whether the Mosaic Law is binding upon the heathen or no is referred by him to experience. This is the great guide of all, In no case may it be neglected. In every case recurrence to it as a whole will be found helpful. Now, at Cmsa.rea it was clear that the Gentiles, no less than the Jewish Christians, had received the Holy Spirit. This fact the apostle considers to be significaut proof that God had already decided the question in debate. God, he had before learued, was no "resprcter of pcrsous." Here be expresses the same truth by saying that God has made no difference between them ; has placed the two upon one footing. He has testified to the Gentiles by imparting to them the Holy Spirit, his grace and good pleasure. 2. The refereuce to immediate experience leads to the larger reference to history-the history of the sacred past. The eutire revelation of God in both testaments rests on history and cousists in history. Christ "lived his doctrine and preached his life." And the liviug experience of prophets and apostles offers a rich fund of instruction. Paul's doctrine is his own life translated into consciousuess and kno,vledge. And the doctrine of Peter is bis own life wrought out in views of duty and principles of Christian thought. Christiau doctrine is the expression of the results of Cbristiau history. The discourse of Peter evidently produces a great impression. Silence follows, broken only by the voices of Barne.bas and Paul, who relate the significant occurrences which have befalleu amoug the heathen. lL DIScounsE OF JAMES. 1. He, like a true Jew, trained in ear and memory by the prophetic cracles, reverts to them, and finds confirmation there of the views wrought out in the mind~ of the others by the certain discipline of experieuce, The writings of the prophets were used by the apostles as a guide to the interpretation of the signs of the present, aud for directions as to present duty. Now, the oracle from Amos adduced by James refers in the first iustance to the house of David. His royal house is fallen into ruins. But God would raise it up out of the ruins, would restore and extend it among the Gentiles among whom his Name shall be known-that is, among those who shall decide to acknowledge and serve him. All this God would bring about in accordance with his eternal designs (ver. 18). 2. Here, then, is light on the question of debate. Observe that the theocracy, the kingdom of God, stands in the centre of the promise, and not the Law as such. Further, the "calling on the Name of God" is laid down as the condirion or incorporation with the kingdom of God. This condition has been already fulfilled by the converted heathen. Lastly, it is "the Lord who doetb these things." It is not OtJ,r short-sighted coun~el and prudence which have to make new history and new laws, but God has promised that he will do it. Already has he adopted a. people out of the heathen (ver. 14). If, then-this is the argument of James-we should lay a burden on the Gentile Christians, this would be going against the teach- ing of facts, striving against the current of history, thwarting the will o_f God ~he:ein revealed. 3. 'l'he decision of James. He would not have the Gentile Christians harassed, who are turniug in repentance and good works to God. He would recognize their evanuelical freedom ; would reject the demauds of the Pharisaic party; in fac~ he fully, tLough on different grounds, coincides with Paul. A~ the same time,. he insists on certain moral and cerewouia.l abstinences. The whole illustrates the mild, "eutle and lovincr0 character of this apostle. '!'here was in him, with the greatest ~trictu'ess toward£ himself, the most compas~iouate love to others. Unceasingly in the temple, on bis knees, he prayed for forgiveness for_his people (~uscbius, 'Eccl. H~st.,' ii. 23). He who loves his own household best will be the kmdest to them w1thout. OH, XV. 1-41.) THE .ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 15