The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 14

The true patriot le the true philanthropist; the loyal adherent of his Church the beet friend of uni versa.I. Christianity and progre&11.-J. Vers, 22-29.-Decislon of the CO'!M!Cil at Jerusalem. Tb•ioi, the first council of the Church, is generally considered an example for all times. I . .AN EXAMPLB OJI' CHRISTIAN PRUDENCE, 1. In the selection of emissaries. It bad reference partly to the Churches, partly to Paul and Barnabas. The Churches were assured that the emissaries were not delivering their own private opinion, but the deliberate judgment of the Church. And the apostles bad the legitimacy and purity of their office sea.led by the highest Church authority. II. AN EXAMPLE OF BROTHERLY LOVE AND WISDOM. Without the ta.kine, of some such step, the Judaizers in Antioch and elsewhere would remain unchecked: and left to pursue their disturbing and factious intrigues. And by this step a new bond of sympathy and affection was established between Jew and Gentile, between Jerusalem and the world. III. AN EXAMPLE OF INSPIRED ACTION. "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us." The words may be abused or used with genuine devout feeling. The Holy Spirit is the Source o~ light and wisdo~ in the mind-th~ J udg~ and D~cider in spiritual things. The coaclus1on of a matter, discussed by the fa1thful m the light of the Holy Spirit, may justly be looked upon as the decision of the Holy Spirit., The whole stamp of the message is spiritual, impressive, full of Christian piety and love. Its closing word, promising blessing on the conditions laid_d~wn, is far better than_a. threat of pains_on disobedience would have been. The Chnst1an " Farewell! " contams not only the w 1sh for a brother's happiness, but that he may abide in Christ, and walk as he walked in the world.-J. Vere. 30-34.-Effects of the mission from the Chwrch. The few words of the decision gave rise to a large joy and consolation at Antioch. Let us generalize this. I. THE GOSPEL BRINGS PEA0E TO TROUBLED HEARTS. Freedom from the yoke of the Law only truly to be enjoyed by those who have previously smarted and groaned beneath that yoke. II. IT UNrrES THE SOULS OF BELIEVERS IN PEAOE. Judas and Silas, by the exercise of their prophetic gifts, exhorted and strengthened the brethren. The faithful tea.oiler's heart is in his element in briuging souls to the Saviour. III. IT LEADS IN PEA0E TOWARDS THE BEA VENLY JERUSALEM, TO THE MOTHER CHURCH ABOVE. They were sent with peace from the brethren to those who sent them forth. All interchange of love on earth, all messages of reconciliation, are prophetic of and prepare for the home of peace above.--J. Vers. 36-4:1.-Beginning of the second missionary }ourney. The dissension of Paul and Barna.bas, painful in itself, may yield useful matter of reflection. HUlliN INFrn11nTY IN MATURE CHRISTIANS. 1. The fact of it. Paul judged severely of Mark on moral grounds. His desertion of him and Barnabas (ch.xii.i.13) on a former occasion was to his mind a strong proof of inconstancy. But Mark had fallen away from them, not from Christ. And Barnabas would lean to the side of leniency and clemency towards the young disciple. The contention became sharp. Both thought themselves to be contending for Christ; both were unconsciously contending for self. Both were in the right, each from his own point of view aiming at the good of the young man and the furtherance of the kingdom. 2. The consolation of it. (1) With reference to the person concerned. Chrysostom says that the strife was of great service to Mark ; for the sternness of Paul brought a change in bis mind, while the kinduess of Barnabas suffered him not to feel abandoned. (2) With reference to us. We may be encouraged by the thought that these holy men were of like passions with ourselves, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. Divine love triumphs over and is made perfect in human weakness. Apart from that, man's very virtues become faults; the mildness of Barnabas degenerates into softness, the severity of Paul into harshne~s. Divine love con.verts faults iuto blessings. Mark is humiliated, aud thereby rai~ed in Christian manhood. 'l'he separation of the apostles divides the stre,1ro of saving grace int0 two strcama, and so tbo more widely spreads it in the world.-J.  16 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [011. xv.1-41.