The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 16

111. THE JIEAilT IB or,EANBED BY FAITH. The contrast between tho ol,1 covenant and the now. The truth accepted becomes the power of God unto salvation. Spiritual cleansing differs from: 1. Mere ritual purification. 2. Mere nominal separ;ition from the world by an external life. 3. Mere slavish obedience to the letter of the Law. A purity which rests upon faith is a. purity emJ:>racing thoughts and desires, lifting th() heart with joy, securing it 8.!'aine_t the temptat10n to self-righteousness and superficial morality. Believe; give your mmd to the message; welcome the personal Saviour; follow tho leading Spirit. Rejoice in the liberty of God's children. Christ's yoke is easy, hie burden light.-R. Ver. 26.-Spiritual heroism. "Men that have hazarded their Jives," etc. I. THE POWER oF CHRIST'B NAME. 1. Those who were ready to die for him must have accepted him a.a the fulfilment of a.II their hopes. The previous position of Paul and Barnabas instructive a.s showing wha.t the Name of Christ was to them. 2. No mere chancre of creed so exprossed. A personal affection at the root of their heroism. 'l'he self-s:crifice not only proved sincerity, but exemplified the transforming and ennobling power of the gospel. II. THE INFLUENOE OF HEROIO EXAMPLES. 1. In strengthening faith. 2. In stimulating feeling. 'l'he Christianity of the present time a.pt to languish for lack of such influence. Times of great danger to the Church times of grtat testimony. 'l'he effect of missionary zeal in promoting the growth of character. 3. The true leaders of the Church should be foremost in devotion. Apostolic zeal very different from ecclesiastical fanaticism. The world bows before spiritual might.-R. Vere. 36-41.-0ontention amongst brethren. Importance of the record as showing: 1. The sincerity and simplicity of the Christian writers. An impostor would never have inserted such a. fact. 2. The overruling grace of God. The treasure in earthen vessels. Infirmities in the agents magnifies him who, notwithstanding, accomplishes his purposes. Notice-- I. THE TRUE PRlliOIPLE OF CHRISTIAN WORK. Constant watchfulness and inspection. "See how they fa.re;" for encouragement a.nd confirmation; for maintenance of order for advancement in teaching. "Visit the brethren.'' Not only in each Church, but in the outlying districts; maintain brotherly sympathy. The true concef)tion of the Church is that of a society resUng on a. spiritual basis of mutual confidence and love. II. StTBORDINATION OF PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS to the highest interests of Christ's kingdom. Barna.bas thought more of his nephew than the work. He was most in the wrong. 'rhe Church, by their commendation of Paul in prayer, plainly expressed their sympathy with his side of the controversy. At the same time, as Mark proved himself faithful, events showed that Paul might have yielded for the sake of peace without injury to the cause of truth. His strong will tempted him. III. TBE ERRORS OF ooon MEN are n0t suffered to hinder the work of God. More good done by the division of labour. Introduction of Silas. Mark probably best under the sole guidance of Barnabas. The divisions in the Christian Church viewed in the light of this primitive contention. Not wholly injurious. Partly due to the natural differences of intellect and temper. Overruled to develop the variety of Christian character. Will be at last, like discords resolved into harmony, the source of glory to God. Yet, as a.t first, so always, remembrance of the infirmity e.nd fallibility of great and good men should keep us near the throne of grace.-R. Vera. 1-35.-.A great dissension on the threshold of tht, Genti1ti Church, and the apostolic management of it. One subject knits together very firmly the contents of this paragraph. And the subject is one of the greatest importance. Its interest is all of the practical kind; a.nd well had it been for the unconverted world had the Church through all these centuries abided by the suggested lessons tha.t we have here. The ?De subject is the beginning of ecclesiastical dissension within the Church catholic itself; not on matter purely doctrinal, not on matter puroly disciplinary, but on matter that m~y be for the time supposed to lie on the border-land between these two. For som_e will insist on ma.king it mostly a. question of veritable doctrine; others would stick lo for it as a question at least of" decency and order" in discipline. Let us notice- 4CTB-u. O  18 TBE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. rcu, xv. 1-41,