The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 263

(ver.12). (3) The impostor himself made profession of faith (ver. 13). 4. Confirma- tion of it, both human and Divine, (1) Human: the apostles sent down Peter and John, who witnessed and owned the work as genuine (vers. 11, 15). (2) Divine: the Holy Ghost descended upon them, in (doubtless) miraculous bestowmcnts (ver. 17). II. A BERIOUB DIBOOURAGEJIIENT. 'rhere is no more disheartenin" blow which can foll on the heart of an earnest Ohristian worker than to find that bis ~onverts have not really changed their mind, but only their creed. Very bitter must have been the cup to the Christian communHy in Samaria when Simon ma.de the miserable exhibition of himself recorded in the text (vers, 18, 19). Either he had been utterly insincere throughout, or, as is more likely, he was convinced that Philip and the apostles were masters of some great powers he had not been able to gain; but completely mistook the character of their mission, thinking they were out on an errand of self-aggrandizement. Whether Simon's was a guilty simulation or a blasphemous error, it was rebuked with an almost terrible severity (vers. 20-23), which evidently affected and even afrrighted tho- sorcerer (ver. 24). In tones ofunwonted sternness, such as the occasion required, Peter rejected the infamous proposal to receive money for the impartation of Di vine power, and assured Simon that he was still in the very depth of folly and of sin, from which nothing but repentance could deliver him. 1. We also may have a large measure of success in our work. We have all the materials of success, if we will use them : the needed saving truth; the boneficent agencies which spring from Christian sources, and which commend the Christian cause; the presence in the Church of the Holy Spirit of God. 2. We shall al ways be liable to disappointment. Some whom we believe to be possessed of the truth and to be brought beneath its vital power will prove to be only just touched by it, or to be mere pretendnrs and deceivers. 3. Spite of painful drawbacks, we may thank God for good work done. It was with joyous and grateful hearts, we may be sure, that the apostles" returned to Jerusalem" (ver. 25). They had not forgotten Simon's defection; they would never forget that disappointing moment when he made his humiliating offer. But, after all, he was in the dark and far background; in front of him and in full view of their gladdened souls was the testimony they had borne for their Master, the Church they had gathered, the good work they had wrought in Sa.maria.-C. Vers. 26-40.-The (Jhri,tian teacher and disciple. We have an interesting and instructive instance of one man submitting himself to the teaching of another, and deriving from him a sudden transforming influence which most heneficially affected his whole after-life. Such teaching might well come ultimately frL1ra God, as in truth it did ; for we learn- I. THAT THE CBBIBTIAN TEAOllEB IB TO PLAOE lllMSELI' CONTINUALLY UID>EB DIVINE DIRECTION. Philip had some advantages which we do not now enjoy. "The angel of the Lord spake unto him" audibly (ver. 26), and gave him definite instructions whither he should go : "Arise, and go toward the south," etc. " The Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself," etc. (ver. 29). When his work was finished here," the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip" (ver. 39). But though we have not now these outward, unmistakable manifestations, we have "the mind of Christ ;" we may consult and know his will, if (1) we intelligently and devoutly study his Word, (2) unselfishly regard the lea.dings ofhls providence, (3) earnestly ask for the promptings of his Divine Spirit. We are earnestly to desire to go only where we are sent of God, to aJ.dress our- selves to those whom he would have us influence, and to stay no longer than he has work for us to do there, I!. THAT CBBIST BAS BIJ'BJEOTS TO BEOURE FOB lllB KiliGDOM OTHER THAN THOSE Wl!I BBOULD BA.VE EXPECTED, Which of the apostles would have imagined that the next convert to Christianity at this time would be" a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority," etc. (ver. 26)? Yet such was the mind of Christ. We are ~oo apt to think we can tell whence the disciples will be drawn, by whom the table will be fur- nished with guests. But our Master has surprises for us here as elsewhere. We must not, in thought, limit the range of his redeeming l?ve. or converting po~er. It may not be the poor in need of some enrichment, but the rich m n~ of some high~r ~ealt~ ; not the lowly wanting some honour, but the honourable cra.vmg some truer d1g~ty; 1t may not be the children of privilege familiar with the truth, but t~e sons of 1gnora_nce or 11uperstition, or even the children of infidelity far from the w1sdo1u of God ;-1t may 280 THE AOTS OF THE APOSTLES. [on. vm. 1-40,