The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 323

Veni.11-15.-The pasaagefrum Malta to RoTM. L BLESSINGS BY TBB WAY. Chris- tian fellowship is enjoyed. Unity and relationship in Jesus Christ make the unknown as known. The heart dissolves distance and strangeness. God has everywhere hidden children. The discovery of them is the discovery of a dear bond of brotherhood, and this fillB the heart with joy (comp. Rom. i. 12). The corning forth of the brethren from Rome to meet the party showed that his letter to them had not been without result. So he thanked God and took heart. This slight word seems to allude to a certain failing of heart and dejection, such as the greatest souls are liable to in critical moments. His life was passed in cloud and S11nshine, and the record of both has been faithfully left behind. In both there is deep encouragement for us. IL THE ABRIVAL AT RoME. It was an epoch: I. For him. His life-goal is at last reached. He comes, a homeless stranger, yet escorted by loving friends; as an evil- doer in bonda, yet with the grace of God in his heart ; as a victim doomed to sacrifice, yet u a victorioUB conqueror, to plant the banner of the cross in the citadel of heathen- dom. 2. For heathendom it was a critical moment. It is the signal for the wane of its glory and pride. For the next three centuries it was to lead a struggling existence, until all that WBB good in it should be absorbed into the kingdom of God, and the rest be cut away with the refuse of time. 3. For Judaism. Paul turns for the last time to his people. Exclusiveness is decaying; the priest and the doctor and their followers, who refuse to come to terms with Christ, must fold their garments about them and pass into solitude amidst the life of civilization. Rome is to replace Jerusalem. 4. For Ohrutwnity. Sanguinary struggles await her in Rome, but in the end a glorious victory.--J. Vers. 16-19.-Paul and the RO'fll,(lfA Jew,. L A FINAL PEB80:NAL TESTIKO:NY OJ' n."':NOOENOE, It is full of manly courage and simplicity. It was no subversive teaching or conduct that had brought him into his present position. No definite charge had ever been proved against him. Like the Master, it was as a fulfiller, not as a destroyer, that he had wrought. It was for the "hope of Israel "he had suflered. Gr~a~ teachers are always fulfillers. But because they see that truth is not stagnant, but living, they are accused of iu.novation. WIien we accUBe others of innovation, let us ask whether it be not that our own garb of thought has grown old. The whole New Testament story is one long protest against imposing fetters on the freedom of the living spirii and the course of truth. IL A FINAL oo:NFEss1ox. Of Jesus as the Messiah. And a final argument wlth h1a  OH, XXVIII. 1-31.] 'fHE ACTS OF THE A.POSTLES. 333