The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 73

ledfe and pity, severity and compassion, are united in Christ. 4. The call to repentance, Iths an 1;1rgent call. The more indifferent and light-hearted tho listeners, tho more ~rgeotly 1t must s_ound. It is an absolute call, admitting of no exceptione. No ignorance and no philosophy, no dignity or rank, can exempt men from the immediate command of God to repent. Amidst the depths of sin and the heights of virtue, in paganism and in Christendom, the new heart and the new life are indispensable, Y. THE nECEM'ION OF THE GOSPEL AT ATHENS. (Ver. 32.) 1. Some BC<Jffed, ,ome procrastinated. These are ever the two main classes of those who turn a deaf ear to the Did ne Word. Some make light of the truth, some put <'ff attention to It until the "more convenient season." "Faith in to-morrow, instead of Christ, la Satan's nurse for man's perdition." Paul departed from among them, and came not back; the" tender grnce" of the day of salvation vanished, not again to be found. 2. But some believed, Of whom Dionysius among men alone is mentioned; and of the women, Damaris, with some others. We need, however, to remind ourselves that great numbers are no sign of the true Church. There are many more of common stones than of jewels in its structure, according to the ordinary valuation; but God's measures are not ours. According to ancient testimonies, a bright light went forth from the Church at Athens. The splendid intellectual culture of Athens remains the heritage of the few; the gospel pours its common blessing on Jilankind. The relation of the Christian to the art and science of the world. (1) He is not to despise them. The master-works of ~enius are gifts of God; and in their way they bear testimony to the universal striving of the human spirit after the reconciliation of sense and spirit, the human with the Divine, 'l'he a bcrrations of great spirits are more instructive than the meaningless common places of ordinary minds. (2) At the same time, he is to apply to them the Christian scale ot judgment. Christianity cannot countenance immoral art or godless science. If the heart of the artist and scientific man be sanctified., their works and studies will tend to the glory of God.-J. Vers. 1-9.-Thessalonica. Interest of the occasion, in view of the two Epistles afterwards written. '.!.'he contrast between the Thessalonian and Philippian populations partly due to the presence of the Jewish synagogue. 'l'he Greek proselytes numerous. The Jews divided into two classes, the devout and the fanatical. 'l'he political element always ready to be called into use against the gospel, so that the multitude and the rulers were troubled. L Take the whole narration as affording a glimpse into THE STATE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE at that time. L The elements of hope in it-the Jewish religion and synagogue worship, the openness of Gentile mind to inquiry; the two forces of Roman order and Greek intellectual culture. 2. The elements of corruption. 'l'he rabble at the mercy of evil-minded men stirring them up. 'l'he decrees of Cresnr mere despotic acts of power. Ignorance and indifference to religious questions. Had they under- stood Christianity, they would never have supposed it to be against civil order. 3, The certainty foreshown. The spiritual power must prevail. Such a world must be overturned. IL THE CHRISTIANITY WRICH PAUL PBEACIIED. 1. Founded on the Old Tel3tament Scriptures, and therefore seeking a basis in the synagogne. 2. Setting forth the redeeming work of Jesus Christ as its substance. 3. Adapted to all, Jews and Greeks alike, and calling the influence of women to its service. 4. Though itself peace, yet, by its contrast with the world, turning it upsid!3. down. We_ mu~t be quie~ ~nd orderly in our methods, but we must expect that spmtual forces will stir up oppos1t1on, The end is with the truth.-R. Ver. 6.-The power of God in the world. "These that have turned," etc. Thessa- lonians excitable, especially on the subject of political change (see Epi_stles). T~~ mis- representations of spiritual work proceed from two cau~es: (1) fanat1ca~ oppos1t1on to the truth as it is in Jesus; (2) the ignorant fears of sordid and selfish mrnds, Yet the progress of tLe work must be maintained. L 'ln THOUGHTS OF JdEN OONTBA.8TED WITH TBE TBOUGBTB OF GoD. 1. Of the religious faoatics and superstitious. The fears for truth leading to false alliances. Comprom.isr of principle. 2. Of rulers. Government is apt to fear for itself, becawie OIJ, XVII. 1-34,] THE ACTS or TllE APOSTLES. 75