The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 193

reference is intended to the "multitude or those who were not yet converted, but whose attc>ntion_ wns at the same time arrested by the spiritual power or Christianity;" or to the "Phamees, who resorted to the portico, but had not the courage to attach themselves to those with whom they really sympathized." It is evident that there were many lookers-on, who, from one cause or another, were hindered from belief. Dr. Dykes says, "To the friendly attitude of the common people there stood contrnste<I, exactly ns during Jesus' ministry, the displensure of the ofilcial and educated clnsses. . . . Somcwhnt later a number of the rank-and-file even of the priesthood went over to tbe new faith. At this period, however, all the sacred and ruling orders appear to ha Ye been kept aloof from the Church by a public opinion of their own, so stroll"0 that no indh•idual member of these orders had as yet the courage to oppose it." The term, "0[ the rest," may include- !. TJIE SANHEDRTM PARTY. This partly consisted of Saddueees and partly or Pharisees. Both were hindered from belief in Christ by preju~ice. Doctrine blinded the Sadducees; pride of ritual holiness blinded the Pharisees. Sadducees were offended by our Lord's miracles and spiritual demands, and hopelessly enraged by the report of bis resurrection, which they regarded as a mischievous absurdity and an impossibility. Their doctrines prevented their being persuaded. Pharisees were prejudiced to a ritual system in the observance of which alone could salvation come. 'l'o their notions salvation by faith in a person, and such a person as the Nazarene impostor, was, on the face of it, unworthy of intelligent beings. '.l.'hese classes are but examples. Still the prejudice of doctrinal notions, and the delusion that somehow salvation must be by works, keep men from Christ. IL 'l'HE ADHERE!\"rS OF TlIE SANHEDRIM PARTY. All great parties in a state have adherents, hangers-on, people who watch and take their cue from them, and hope to ~et their own benefit through the party. These men are always ready to avoid what their party avoids, and to shout \\'hat their party shouts. Such men there were in ,Jerusalem at the time of the apostles, and, whatever might be the force of conviction and persuasion brought to bear upon them, they were hindered by pei·sonal interest. Joining tl.te Christians would not answer their ends, and they could not sec their way to offending the party that was in power. Time-servers never can believe until they put away their time-serving. Self-interest and faith cannot dwell together. IIL THE OF'FICllLS OF '.!'HE TEMPLE. Priests, Levites, door-keepers, singers, etc. These were hindered by the spirit of o_ffecialism, one of the most narrowing and conservative forces acting on men. The new is always suspected by the official mind. The routine and order must not be touched. There was much, both in our Lord's teaching and in that of his apostles, that could not fail to grieve and alarm the temple officials. And still, stiffened creeds and rigid ecclesiastical forms are often fatal Lindrances to those who teach the creeds and minister the forms. IV. Tm: mcH MEN OF THE COMMUNITY. These were hindered by observing what. a poor lot the first Christians were, and class pride kept them from Christ. It \\lalf the constant sneer of the enemies of the early Church, and is fully expressed by Celsus, that the Christians were drawn from the very dregs of society, from the publicans and the slaves. Yet we glory in this, that "God hath made the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom."-R. T. Vers. 15, 16.-Bodily healing, mag prepare for spiritual ones. Comparing apostolic miracles with those wrought by our Lord, it should be noticed that he showed power over nature by stilliog storms, walking on waters, multiplying food, and witberino- trees; but the apostles' power was limited to various forms of bodily danger aud dise~se. In each case the miracles illustrated the higher work of those who wrou,,ht them. Christ's miracles illustrated his Divine claims and mission as the revel;tion to men of the Father. Apostolic miracles illustrated their mission to preach Christ to men as the Healer of the soul's disease, Redeemer from sin's penalties, and Sa,·iour from sin. The 1uestion is often discussed whether the power of miraculous healina bas been lost to the Church. Claim to such power has been made in every age, ;ith more ur less confidence, and such claims are made now. Singular ancl interesting instances of bodily healing in response to faith and p~ayer are narra~d by 110ber witnesses; and it may be admitted that there are certain classes of diseases llll, V, 1-42.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 189