The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 18

then C!l.relcssnees and looseness of action ; then occasional transgression; then habitual vice; and then the miserable end. Similarly the passage from godliness to absorbing worldliness is through weakening of a sense of obligation; decline of sacred joy; relaxa- tion of holy habits; growing ab!l.ndonment of devotional exercises; losing tho soul in temporal anxieties and passing pleasures. In all such cases as that of Judns there is: 1. A gradual withdrawal of the soul from sympathy and intercourse with its Lord. 2. Acts which pain and injure him. 3. A disastrous end-death; the reprobation of the good and true, the retribution of the ri"hteous Jud~. Il. 'l'HE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS. ('Vers. 21-26.) In thecourso of Peter, Matthias, and_ ~he other ten_ apostles, there were three things exceptional and peculiar to their position. 1. Bodily attendance on the Lord Jesus Christ (ver. 21). 2. Consequent witness-bearing to the facts of his life and his resurrection (ver. 22). 3. Appointment by direct Divine selection: in the case of the eleven by the Lord himself at the com- mencement of his work, and in the case of Matthias by appeal to supernatural guidance (vers. 23-26). But though these features were not meant to be perpetual, there are those of which they are suggestive which ought to characterize all true and earnest followers of Christ. (1) Intimate association with him; the intimacy which is not "after the flesh" (see John xx. 17), but that which is" after a spiritual and heavenly manner." (2) Bearing witness to Christ; not only to the facts of his life and of his victory over death, but to the graciousness of his character, the tenderness of his spirit, the el:cellency of his service, the joy of his friendship. (3) Continual resort to the throne of grace for Divine guidance. We do not now use" the lot," but none the less do we seek, and gain by patient, trustful inquiry, the ~uidance of our God and Saviour as we walk the path of life and as we labour in the field of holy usefulness.-C. Vers. 1-5.-The forty days a,fi,er the Passion. I. JESUS' PnEPABATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. In the work of God all is continuous. As in nature there is no pause, but in autumn we find the new petiole or leaf-stalk already formed when the old leaf is detached, so in the kingdom of God. There were ages of preparation for Christ's coming; and when he came, his life-work was a making ready to go. Full of blessing was the ministry of his visible presence; fuller still was to be that of the invisible Spirit. He must go that the Spirit may come (John xvi. 7). The progress is ever from the visible and finite form to the eternal and infinite spiritual content. 1. Preparation by special instruction. (John xiv.15; xv. 12-17.) These parting commands were charged with the holiest unction ; were breathed forth in spiritual power, with th(deep earnestness and tenderness of a Divine farewell. All his com- mands are summed up in the great word "love." They were issued to a select band, and ever remain in the select keeping of the true Church. 0 hedience to Christ is, in one word, the unfolding of love in all life-relations. Christian duties and graces are butt.he various forms which Divine love would stamp on conduct. 2. By manifestations of a risen life. His appearances were firmly accredited a.s real, says St. Luke, using a word not elsewhere found in the New Testament denoting valid proof (cf. Luke xxiv. 31 39, 43). This firm persuasion of the reality of the Lord's risen life is the inspiration of the early Church; it cannot be explained away without raising more difficult pro- blems. 'l'he appearances were accompanied by ap[Yropriate activity. He di~coursed on these occasions, and on the supreme theme, on religion, on the kingdom of God. Christianity is not sensation-wonder for wonder's sake; its principle is intelligence; its method is teaching. "Go and teacli" is the great word of the risen One. 3. By a particular direction. The apostles were to remain in Jerusalem (Luke xxiv. 49). Here were all the conditions of unity provided for: place and time and a common attitude of soul. Spiritual force must be collected in centres, that it may be diffused through the body of the world. II. 'l'HE CHURCH IN THE .ATTITUDE OF WAITING. 1. It was for something definite- the fulfilment of a Divine promise. Promise attends all obedience; and perhaps the highest blessings belong to the pat!ent attitud': of the soul, the _unhaste of :perfect confidence in God. It was the promise of a blessmg foreshadowed m past expenences. A baptism, thercforP a revival aud refreshing from above like John Daptist's ministry; yet unlike that in that it was to be more excellent. 2. 'l'hero was som~thiog indefinite, therefore, ii(the promise. A good not yet tasted, and so not yet conceivable. Cll, I, 1-20,] 'l'HE AOTS OF 'l'HE APOS'l'LES. 13