The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 178

ncnrt nnd prep11red him to en.counter the temptations from weaker brethren. At Tyre tho great crisis of his faith came much nearor. Disciples said," Set n,) foot in ,Jcrn- snlem." The conflict was betwcon the voice of the Spirit in tho purpose of his heart, nod the prophetic warnings of coming danger which he could not doubt. It was not tlrnt one command contradicted another command; but that, like Abraham, he had to oboy, although to obey must be to suffer. Faith conquered. II. 'l'ho trials that are borne in the spirit of humble confidence work out nr,Essrxr. IN TfIE CHRISTIAN LII'E, Sympathy and affection. Prayer. Simplicity and reality. Mutual encouragement-Paul strengthened by the interview; the Christians of Tyre helped to aim at n. higher life by contact with such an example of spiritual heroism. Influence on the homes and families. Christianity was already accomplishing a f';l'eat work in social life. 'l'yre was commercially decaying, but here was a new principle of prosperity, better than the worldly one. The position of such a port made its Christi- anity a blessing to the whole world. The visit of Paul would be remembered and spread abroad.-R. Vers. 7-14,-T:l/re to Oresarea: the will of God vn the heart of his servant. As the days went on, the pressure upon the heart of Paul increased. The house of Philip the evangelist the scene of the last great test of his preparation for the future. The four virgin daughters, and Agabus from Jerusalem, repeated the prophetic warnings; but no one said by the voice of the Spirit, "Go not." Human voices must sometimes be resisted. \Veeping may break a heart, but it ought not to break a resolution formed in the sight of God and by his Spirit. 1. An example of lofty spiritual discernment. Distinguishing between human voices and Divine; between a prospect of suffering a.nu a prospect of defeat; between being bound in body and being bound in spirit-Paul wa.H rejoicing in the liberty of his soul, it was of little consequence to him what they might do with his limbs-between the plots and enmity of men and the victorious grace of God. 2. An encouragement to steadfastness in doing the Divine will. We must not listen to persuasions when God calls us on. We must be ready for all; but, the course being once clearly opened to us, then a humble fixedness of heart is the best prepara- tion for the path of duty. 3. An instance of the controlling influence of character in the Christian Church. The weaker yield to the stronger if the stronger remain firm. Those that think much of external difficulties and dangers have to be lifted out of their weakness by the words and example of the loftier and more heroic souls.-R. Vers. 15-26.-Arrival and reception at Jerusalem. Notice- !. 'l'HE DEOIDED ADVANOE IN THE MINDS OF THE LEADING DISCIPLES AMO:SG THE JEWS. 1. They gladly welcomed Paul, and heard his narrative of missionary work, which included labour among the Gentiles. They glorified God for it. 2. They made no demand upon Paul as to renouncin~ his advanced pcsition, but acquiesced in it. 3. They must have resisted the extreme Judaistic party in order to do so. I!. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TIMID POLICY OF THE JAl'rlES PARTY A....'ID P.1.uL IUMSELF. They feared for him. He feared nothing for himself. Their advice was dictated by prudence, but it wrought more evil than good in result. III. THE NOBLE EXAMPLE OF SELF-ABNEGATION AND CONCILIATION. Paul yielded to their advice, to show that the reports about him were false, and tl::at his free position allowed him both to observe the Law and not to observe it, as expediency might dictate, because he regarded it a.~ no longer necessary to salvation. He became a Jew to tho Jews, to save the Jews. The true :firmness is not obstinacy, prejudice, self-assertion, bigotry, but distinguishes between the essential and non-essential. Perhaps it was the wiser way to let the weak.ier brethren be convinced by the facts how hopeless it wa3 to save Judaism. IV. GREAT PURPOSES OF GoD ARE FULFILLED THROUGH THE ERRORS AND INFIRMITIES OF ms PEOPLE. Paul would meet Jewish accusations all the more firmly though his apnearance in the temple put the torch to the pile.-R. Vere. 27-36.-The prophecy fulfilled. "Bonds and imprisonment." I. _THE TUMULT EXCITED BY ASIATIC JEWS, probably seeking for Paul, with preu.;-. termmntion to destroy him. It was his faithful missionary h,bours, therefore, whi.:::i 184 THE AOTS OF THE .APOSTLF!S. (oit Ul. 1-40,