The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 44

Ver. o.-The cry o/ a peri.~liing W01'ld after CJhriBt, "And a vision," etc. I. HUMANITY WITHOUT TIIE aoBPEL, The MB?edonia.n life representative. 1. The social failure of Rome. 'fhe corrupt state of society. The loss of liberty. The lack of real advancement, Help required in every department of men's lives. 2. 'l'he intellectual failure of Greece. <Jontrarlictione of philosophy. Neglect of the poor and jc,norant. Follies of heathenism. Worship of human nature itself. Awful vices by tlie side of wonderful development of mental faculties. 3. The spiritual destitution of the world. Idea of God. Degradation of the masses. Comparison between the state of the Greek world and the state of the Jewish. Nothing like synaao!:!Ues. 4. The Macedonian a type of the moral helplessness of men, both in heathen° n°ations and in the heathenish portion of Christendom. " Come over and help us." II. 'l'HE CHARGE OF THE SPIRIT TO THE CHURCH. 1. We must shut our ears to all other voicea hut that of the Holy Ghost; as, e.g. reasonings about the future destiny of the heathen; attempts unduly to exalt the uninspired books of heathen religions; exaggerations of difficulties and discoura~ements; pretended special regard to home claims. "Looi, to the marching orders." "Go over and help them." 2. As God speaks to his most eminent servants, let the voice of the Spirit command us through them. If they tell us an enterprise is charged upon them, we must support them with all our miaht. If Livingstone says Africa is open, then follow his lead, even though at great cost and let there be no looking back. 3. The missionary enterprise is a great lesson to the Church to find its blessedness in listening to the cries of needy souls. An extended sphere demands a deepened faith and zeal. If we cannot go over with a true gospel and with a self-denying spirit, let us stay at home; if we carry the power of God with us, then we shall find, in the fulness of the Gentiles brought in, not only the reward of a satisfied conscience, but the elevation of our own faith and the glory of our Jerusalem. A larger Christianity bas been taking the place of the old and narrow religion of former days, since the Spirit was poured out, and we sent the Word forth to the ends of the earth. We help ourselves when we help others. "\Vonderful signs of the times, showing that God is opening the minds of men to the universal claims of the gospel. All' things uniting to say," Go into all the world," etc.-R. Vers.11-15 (or ver. 14).-T/ie opened hearl. "'And a certain woman named Lydia," etc. Study of personal history specially helpful. A few broad strokes make up the picture. Fill in the outline from human nature and experience. Describe the circumstances. Philippi a local metropolis. In the midst of perishing heathenism a germ of spiritual life. Country market-place outside the gate. Devout women, Jewesses and proselytes. The Old Testament read there. Prayer offered. Without Christ they could not be made perfect. Influence of praying women. The contrast. The great heathen city, the small gathering of pious souls waiting for consolation. An imo.ge of the world with the true Church beside it waiting to take possession. "Stone cut out of the mountain." Apostles sent to lift up the little one into a thousand. Lydia the first convert from Europe. The message came as an answer to prayer. I. TilE GOSPEL WAITING TO FIND A PLACE IN THE HUMAN BEA.BT. 1. Devoutness, religiousness, not all that is required. Apostles preached Christ to religious people. Christianity a positive system of truth, which must be known and received. The moral side of it not separable from the spiritual. This specially seen in the mission of the Church to the world. If Lydia was herself to preach to her neighbours, she must be taught. 2. Attention to truth a work in the heart. Curiosity, habit, sentiment, all may fall short of bringing the mind to lay hold of truth. Personal applico.tion. The spring of affection opened. Love of Jesus shed abroad. Faith fixed on its objects. II. 'rHE GRACE OF Gon WORKING THROUGH HUMAN AGENCY. Paul preached; the Lord opened the heart. 1. The distinction must be recognized in all ministrations. 2. The record of the apostolic ministry an example. The greatest preachers may fail. If they succeed, to the Lord's Na.me be the praise. 3. We are cast by such a mystery on prayer. 4. 'fhe opened heart is the pre-requisite to the changed and consecrated lifo.-R. Vere. 16-18.-The kingdom of light f'evealing itself. On the borders of Europe :where_ many false spirits were at work. Divinatiou and si~othsaying, the resorl of meu m their blindness-a testimony at once to their moral helr 1lessness and their recognition  46 THE A.OTS OF THE A.POSTLES, [oe. xvr.1-4.0,