The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 26

Vere. 15-26,-The Church', fir,t corpo,•att action, I. A GLIMPSE INTO PRIMITIVB CHURCH LIFE, showing: 1. Its purity and simplicity, No pomp, no complicated organi- zation, appeal to the body of the Church. 2. Its sepai·ation from the world, " The names" were recorded in some way, and numbered; probably a written record kept from this time in the upper room. They were all regarded as "brethren," 3. Its reverence for Scripture. The quotation of the Apostle Peter is not either exactly from the Hebrew nor from the Septuagint, but the manner of it denotes entire subjection to ~criptural guidance and study of the Messianic prophecies. 4. Obedience to the law ~f Christ. In the acknowledged leadership of Peter. In the desire to complete and maintain the apostleship. In the strict condition of apostolio testimony recugnized, the knowledge of the facts from the baptism of John to the Ascension. 6. Realization qf the presence and guidance of the Divine Spirit. In the appeal by lot ; preceded by prayer and thoughtful action in selection of two, and acquiesced in without a difference. II. THE SOLID FOtTh'DATIONS ON WHICH CHRISTIANITY RESTS. Care taken that the "·itnesses be diYinely appointed. The treachery and punishment of Judas thus conspicuously mentioned, that the solemnity of the apostolic office may be there impressively seen. The whole tone of the transaction is that of men feeling their responsibility, not of fanatics carried away with the dream of power, certainly not of impostors "cunningly devising" a statement to take the world captive. The reference to Scripture shows that the apostles and their brethren would follow the track of tho Old Testament in their testimony. The publicity of the gospel facts is proclaimed and appealed to. "Known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem." • ill. JUDOMENT DEGINlmTG AT THE BOUSE OF Go». (Ver. 16 or 25.)-R. Vers. 17-19.-.The history, character, a.nd end of Judas lsr,a,riot. I. An instance of SELF-DECEPTIO~, its power and fruits. 1. 'l'he possibility that only gradually Juda11 fell away-original basis of narrow-mindedness and self-indulgence leading to love of money and dishonesty. 2. The light turned into darkness. Near to Jesus, but the conscience, once perverted, becoming rapidly its own tempter, kicking against convictions, till con- victions themselves become impossible, and the Master, once revered, is hated. 3. 'Jhe higher the elevation of privilege, the deeper the fall. When remorse lays hold of such a mind it devours all hope, and casts down headlong. Warning against the beginning of c,il. .Appeal to those who have still opportunity of repentance to listen to the voice of remonstrance. Jesus gave Judas many times the clear note of pitiful admonition, which was rejected. II. A QBEAT LESSON ON THE DUTY OJI' Go»'e PEOPLE IN THEm RELATION TO CHURCH DISCIPLTh"E. The supreme principle must be, not that the Church punishes, but that it solemnly recoznizes the Divine jurisdiction. Judas was in God's hands, and God dealt with him. The place was left vacant, to be filled up in dependence on Divine guidance. \Ve can cut off a name and fill up an office, but we must not lay our hand on persons. '.!'he great error which has worked so fatally in Christendom has been the Church's usurping the Divine office of punishment, and calling in the secular arm to do its evil will. \Ve should deal with backsliders in the tenderest spirit. At the same time, this conspicuous instance serves to keep us in mind that the kingdom of Christ is a real reiun of sovereign power, and that the events of men's lives, their happiness or misery, and what the world calls their fa.te, all are appointed in harmony with the Divine purpose which is being fulfilled in the Church. T~e appeal ~ God by l?t was a recognition of the same truth. Though an old Jewish custom, it was sanctioned by God as helping his people to remember the universality of his rule. It was not a !Jlind appeal to chance, but was accompanied with believing prayer and an exercise of l,uwan wisdom so far as it went. As at the beginning, so still and always, the Church can be purged of its evil only by God, not by man. We must expect a mingled state, while we aim at purity and maintain a spiritual ~versight and w9:tch~ul d_isci.J?li~e in the Church itsell '!'here are two extremes to be avoided: (1) the latltud1I1ar1an rnd1fference which says, "Let the world and the Church_ intermingle without attempt at distinc- tion;" (2) the Pharisaical censoriousness which would be constantly pulling np tares, and wh<;at with them, and so tend;, to disintegrate the Church !Jy endlcs~ divisions and separations. Let God be the J udgt., for he has said, " Vengcance is mine." Let t4e prcv~iling spirit be tb.ll cwit& wlw:h 'hope~h ~U t,hiDf;e,"-J.l, on. 1. 1-26.] TIIE AOTB OF TIIE APOSTLES, 21