The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 92

10uls ofa few ~iaciples fil'!'t, only that he might extend his sway, spreading from heart to heart, entenng, subdumg, teaching, and sanctifying, ever working for that glorious day when the "people shall be all holy." We fix attention on this one point: The diBciples gained, and kep~ from that day, a deep sense of their entire 1Upendence on God, and on God as the indwelling, inworking Spirit. They could never recall that "day of Pen~t" without contrasting what they were before it came, and what they were aft.er it had passed. There was contrast in their measure of spiritual vision, and contl"ll8t in the mff'gy and joy of their work. And so they learned, in a most effective way, that their sufficiency was qf God. 'l'he secret of all moral strength is dependence on God-open•heartedness to receive,and simple readiness to obey and work out, all t~e inward impulses and leadings of his Holy Spirit. Decause the disciples learnt th1a 181!80n of Pentecost so well, therefore it can be thus reported concerning them, "Th~y went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following." Application of this lesson may be made to the Christian. 1. We have a Christian life to maintain, culture and growth to watch over, higher truth to reach, clusters of graces to ripen, and the power of a holy example to wield. Dut we •• are not sufficient of ourselves even to think anything as of ourselves." "Our sufficiency is of God." We too need the Quickener, Comforter, and Teacher. 2. We too have a conflict to wage, and rujferings to bear for our Master. And who " dares to do the warfare at his own charges"? We are only strong in God either to fight or to bear. 3. We too have a work to do for Christ, and a witness to render. And we must learn to say after the great apostle, "I can do all things through him who strengtheneth me." What we need is spiritual power, Spirit-power, tM Pentecostal power. When shall we fully grasp the inspiring truth-tM Boly Ghost is with us P-R. T. Vers. 5-18.-Men's·attitude, totoard things beyond e:i:planation. There are marked difl'erences in the dispositions of men. At first sight the differences mny seem to be so blany and so great, that it is hopeless to attempt any classification of them. And yet, in the relations in which dispositions stand to revealed truth and the mysterious, there is a simple division, and a repetition of characteristic attitudes in ea.bh age. Observe the peculiar phenomena here, which tested the dispositions of the crowding multitudes. Uneducated, c=ntrijied OalilCMns were speaking to the comprehension of men who came from various parts of the earth and used several distinct languages. We do not know whether the disciples themselves understood the new words which they were empowered to utter, but it is certain that what the hearers heard was no jargon or incoherent speech ; it was the story of Christ crucified and risen, given in the languages with which they were familiar. Manifestly here was a mystery, something surprising, needing explanation, something to exercise thought about; something which men of different du;positions would regard in different ways; something which would bring into expression the marked peculiarities of each class. Compare the way in which St. Paul's preaching at Athens tested the dispositions of his hearers (eh. xvii. 32J. "Some mocked, and others aid, We will hear thee again or this matter . . . certain men clave unto him, and believed." In our passage the attitudes taken towards the mystery were, at first two, and afterwards three. L Solll.E WERE IN DOUBT, AND WOULD INQUIRE Jl'U11THER, (Ver. 12.) They were struck with surprise, confused, perplexed. They did not know what to make of these remarkable incidents; but they were not disposed to put them away from considerat-ion, as necessarily delusions or imposture11, because beyond a ready explanation. Their attitude was a right and a hopeful one. Denial of the " supernatural" is a sign of mental weakneBS or prejudiced obstinacy. Doubt about the" supernatural" is rational, and leads to inquiry, consideration, and due weighing of argument and proof. 'l'here is "honest doubt," and merely "wilful doubt." 'l'he first disposition finds expression in sincere and earnest inquiry for the solution and satisfaction and removal of the doubt. The second disposition rejects inquiry, and keeps the doubting, priding itself upon its ability to doubt. No proofs can satisfy tMs class of doubters. Doth these are still found in our Christian society ; and the times tend to multiply that hopeless class that prides itself on doubting, Our Lord gave us the best remedy for the doubting disposition when he ea.id, "If any man will do l,is will, he 11hall know of th.e doctrine.'' OH, 11, 1-47.] THE ACTS OF THE APCSTLES,