The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 98

God doee not directly lend his people into the whole truth· he wi~hes us to learn hi, mind by the tee.chi'.1g of events, as the early Christians ca.:Oe ,:radually, and through the lessons of Providence, to 11nderstand that they were emanc,ipated from the injunc- tions 1md prohibitions of t.bat which was "positive" in the Mosaic Law. II. THAT OPPORTUNITIES OF USEFULNESS SHOULD BE EAGERLY EMBRACED. There was time for a ha.sty visit to Ephesue, and Paul did not fail to avail himself of it (ver. 19). Ill. 1'BAT EVERY MAN MUST BE ALLOWED TO JUDGE HIMSELF m MATTERS OF cONB0IEN0E, (Vers. 20, 21.) Those Ephesian Jews may have thought-and we may be disposed to agree with them-that it was of greater consequence that they should have the truth pree.ched to them than that Paul should go on to visit an i:nsympathizino- Church, But it was a matter of conscience to him that he should go, and be therefor; resisted their entreaties. We must form our judgments respecting the decision of others; we may offer our opinion and even urge our request; but we are bound to remember that it is every man's duty to decide for himself, in the last resort, what be should do and whither he should go. Our urgency should never be pushed so far as to disregard this individual obligation. IV. 'l'BAT THE CHRISTIAN COURTESIES SHOULD BE STUDIOUSLY OBSERVED. (Ver. 22.) It became Paul to salute the Church at Jerusalem. It was the mother Church, with which the other apostles were so intimately connected; it would have been ungraceful on his part not to have maintained friendly, or, at any rate, courteous, relations with it from time to time. It is very probable that there was no cordiality existing between its leaders and himself. Nevertheless, it was better to pay it an amicable visit, as he now did. Cordiality is vastly better than courtesy; but courtesy is decidedly better than disrespect or impropriety, and the irritation which proceeds therefrom. If !JOssible, let unaffected, warm-hearted love prevail e.nd a.bound; if that be hopeless, then let there be e. studious observance of that which is courteous and becoming. v. THAT THE BUSIEST LIFE SHOULD nmLUDE SOME SEASONS OF REFRESHING REST AND COMMUNION. Even the energetic e.nd anxious apostle, with all his cares and projects, found it well to " go down to Antioch and spend some time there " (vers. 22, 23). VI. THAT THE WISE TEA0HER WILL 0AIIE TO STRENGTHEN HIS DISCIPLES as well as to make converts (ver. 23). Paul was always solicitous to "strengthen his disciples." lie was the last man in the world to forget that God was the ultimate Source of all spiritual strength. But he knew that there was much that he, as a Christia.n teacher, had to do to rne.ke his disciples strong. He had (1) to impart a fuller k:uowled?;e of the truth; (2) to warn against those doctrines and those habits which would bring spiritual weakness; (3) to incite to holy earnestness by his own spirit of devotion; (4) to counsel his converts to maintain close intercourse with Jesus Christ; (5) to see that they were at their post in the Church and in the field of holy usefulness.-C. Vers, 24-28.- Variety in Christian service. We leam- I. THAT Goo ENDOWS HlB SERVANTS WITH VARIOUS GIFTS. We havebeenfollowing the course and rejoicing in the good work of Paul ; now we come to another Christian workman of different make,-Apollos. God furnished him with opportunities and facull:ies that fitted him for service other· than that which the great apostle of the Gentiles rendered. Apollos : 1. Had an acquaintance with Greek thought, gained at Alexandria, superior to that which Paul would obtain at Tarsus. 2. Had the great advantage of readiness and force of language; he was "an eloquent man" (ver. 24). He shared with his more illustrious co-worker (1) a large knowledge of Scripture, and (2)great fervour of spirit (ver. 25). It is certain that Paul could do what .Apollos would never have accomplished; it is equally certain that Apollos could effect some things which were not within the compass of the apostle. Like faithful Christian men, they rejoiced in one another, Instead of underestimating and disparaging one another because they differed in gifts and methods, they valued one another's special work and heartily co-operated in the mission field. Few things a.re more unworthy and discredit- able than petty jealousies and disputations between Christian workmen of different types of excellence ; few things are more admirable than the hearty appreciation by one man of the work rendered by another whioh is beyond his own powers of accomplishment. 100 THE ACTS OF 'l'HE APOSTLES. [oH, xvm.1-28.