The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 177

,cc the way to promote the kingdom of God in eo doing; but e.t the same time, we mnst Lio nothing to fe.vour the opinion that such things are necessary to salvation, In tho whole epis0Jc we me.y see the victory of love that "seekcth not her own" over bigotry and narrow-mindedness; thus a forecast of the union of Israel and tho heathen world in Christ, and a triumph of the Divine counsel in the extension of his kingdom and the diffusion of his thoughts of salvation. With reference to Paul, it illustrates his sayin", "To the Jews I bec11.mc as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to those under the La,~, as under the Le.w, that I might gain those under tho Law."-J, vers. 27-40.-Danger and deli'IJerance at Jerusalem. I. THE ACOUSATION AGAINST PAUL. l. He is represented as an enemy of the Law, like Stephen before him. He he.s to confront the blind and murderous storm of human passion, more dreadful than the waves of the sea, presently to be encountered. Now is the warning concerning the things to be expeoted in Jerusalem about to bo fulfilled. The sincerest friends of religion have oft.en to incur the charge of being its enemies, the truest worshippers of God are denounced as atheists. 2. As a violator of the temple, he was said to have "made the holy place common." There is a close parallel between this mode of attack a.nd that on Jesus. Great must have been his consolation to find himself treading in the footsteps of his Lord, as his great desire was to be conformable to him. The greatest honour lies in bearing the cross of Jesus, becoming partaker of his sufferings, being "as he was in the world." Il. FURTHER PARALLELS BETWEEN THE TREATMENT OF HIM AND THAT OF THE SAVIOUR. '!'he whole city was in an uproar. He was rejected by his own countrymen -cast out of the temple. They desired to slay him, and yet not stain the sacred place; straining at gnats and swallowing camels. They thought they would do God service in slaying him. At Ephesus, pagan superstition and the love of gain were against him; here, Jewish b1gotry and fanaticism. Both scenes are warnings against the mis- direction of religions feeling. We need reflection and knowledge to purify the religious instinct, which is like fire, pernicious if not watched and kept under control. The murder of Jesus, and all judicial murders of teachers and leaders, are, considered from the human side, both crimes and blunders. ill. '.I.HE IMPRIBO:NJdID.'T OF PAUL. The light and shade mingle in the deed. On the one hand we see hnman passion, blind folly, wicked hatred, on the part of the Jews; on the other, a bright picture of Christian heroic courage, self-possession, and sweet patience on the part of the apostle. And over and above all the light of Divine lea.ding shines, like a pillar of fire by night. There is the power which protects the servants of God, the wisdom which employs even its adversaries to carry out its designs, the love which makes a centre of light and warmth within the man's "own clear breast." Man proposes, and God disposes. He guides the well-meant counsels of his friends to other ends than they supposed, and the designs of foes to other issues than they had calculated. IV. 'l'm: DELIVERANCE. Rejected by liis own people, a friend is raised up for Paul in the person of a heathen. The Homan tribune stills the uproar, saves the apostle's life, gives him the opportunity of clearing himself from the charge against him, afford.a him liberty of speech. How impressive is the scene with which this chapter closes I '£here st.ands the preacher in cha.ms. His pulpit the stairs of the Roman fortress; instead of deacons SWTounding and supporting him, rough Roman soldiers. Murderous cries instead of psalms precede his discourse. Instead of a calm audience before him, an enraged mob. But let us draw the veil and look within his heart. There is the spirit of faith and of love, of wisdom and of strength. There is that courage which the con- sciousness of right and truth inspires, a "good conscience toward God." Thero was that whole devotion which ever makes its impression on the rudest hearts, an<l alone gives freedom and joy. Above all, the knowledge of a Saviour and e. God, to whom in life or death he belongs, from whom neither life nor death can separate.-J. Vcrs. ]-1.l.-Miletu, to Tyre: the steadfustness of a holy mind. I. THE TBIAL OP PAUL'i; FAl'£JL In the separation from dear brethren and the prospects of suffering. The long days of quiet thought, sailing through the Greek Archipelago to Cos, Ilhodc~, Patara, a.nd round the south-west of Cyprus to Tyre, deepened the resolution of his on. nr. 1-40.] THE ACTS OF 'l'HE APOSTLES. 181