The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 82

all with one accord," i.e. together, "in one place." Juxtaposition and visible aeeooia- tion do not always iD:fei: the purest of harmony by any me1ms. Dut they did infer it now; and that the dtsmples were all with one accord in one place was the real frult oC their being all "of one accord." Since that blessed day, true it is-too true-that Christ's people have very often been "together" when they have not been II of one accord," "of one mind," 11 having the same love," "like-minded." But it was so now. And if it had not been, the grandeur of the day would either never have been at. all, or would ha'l"e "set in dar~ess" and shame. (4) Of undoubted design, to a congregate body, and one, comparatively speaking, numerous, No longer to a woman by herself, no longer to two disciples alone, no longer to the twelve, or the eleven, but at all events to some ten times that number (eh. i. 15). The Spirit often whispers silently, stealthily almost, in the e&r of the soul most solitary. Not so now. 'l'he sacred illumination, i;acred quickened faculty, and sacred joy shall possess II each" and "all together" of that new style of family, that infant Church-that little company of fellow-pilgrims, of fellow-voyagers, of a mere handful of an army. They need food, and strength, and com- fort, and the inspiration of experiences-never, never to be forgotten-shared together. Grand uses frequently come of the Spirit's force over one individual, and him the obscurest of the obscure; but now grand uses were to come for themselves, for one another, for a world, in that the disciples were associated so variously, yet so closely, in ecstatic privilege, in unbounded surprise, and in the consentaneous joy of the unwanted inspiration that came II wild-murmuring o'er their raptured souls." (5) To an occasion that either admitted of the testimony or invited the challenge of a large and various multitude. There were present the comparatively large number of those who experienced the power of the Holy Ghost, but there were also near at hand a very much larger number of those who soon became spectators of what was transpiring. They were not only II large number, but a very various number. They hailed from different regions; they spoke different languages ; their objects and their modes of life were, no doubt, very 'l"arious. It were inconceivable that any collusion should obtain here, so far as spectators were concerned. In their excitement, and in the open expression of it, so natural, some did challenge, though the pitiful challenge fell still- born to the ground. "New wine" never wrought such marvel, each nationality must have felt, when addressed touching "the wonderful works of God" in its own language. But till then the Parthian, for instance, might set down to II new wine" the discordant sounds, as they most seem to him, of a dozen other nationalities. Just so far there was reason in the "mocking;" and, at all events, there \\'as use in it. For the "new wine" theory found expression, got a hearing, and got a verdict too I Most profitable was this occa.sion, when "the multitude were confounded . . . were all amazed and marvelled . . . were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? . . . and others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." Such awakening, such spirit of inquiry and investigation, such clear proof of a readiness to challenge appearances rather than succumb too readily and run the chance of delusion, made for every man that was there a strong, convinced witness in time to come, and in the home and country of each. From being excited spectators, they became, roan for man, so many intelligent and determined witnesses of " the wonderful works of God." From being gaping hearers, they became instructed and impressive preache1'6. And the unsettledness of their mind gave place to deep, unmoved con- viction. The adaptation of occasion here gave two great advantages-the advantage of satisfactory and conclusive evidence, and that of an effective and willing missionary service over large portions of the earth. IL A GRAND !U!l"ll"EBTATION-DAY OF PBOPilEcY. (Vere. 16-21.) This was a very irala-day of prophecy. Often distrusted, often mocked, and often saluted with the taunting que6tion, "Where is the promise of his coming? "-ow the scene which stirred all Jerusalem was one" in demonstration of that Spirit and power" which dV1•elt in it. The day witnessed in matter prophetic the majestic force of the avalanche, overwhelming doubt and disbelief in deep destruction indeed, but carrying no other deEtructiveness with it. The piled predictions of ages past no longer tower aloft se proudly end forbiddingly, but they fall at the feet of an amazed, an a11tounded, but a revived and gladdened nation. Or, if the figure be permitted, the leases of property of immeasurable value fall in this day. And that this was a day of j1111test pride in OH, II, 1-47.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 77