The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 304

version fakes place and is observed, the minds of the spectaton are turned towards that higher source of power. They "turn to the Lord" in reverent recognition, ln devout. thankfulness, in earnest expect.ation, IT. THE RAISING OF DoROAS. 1. The sketch of a meful life. Dorcas Is full of goo1 works and alms. The "eye for pity, and the band open as day for melting charlt.y ," was hers. Pity, compassion, the feeling for those who are less happy than ourselvu.1. is the habit which above all the gospel teaches and cultivates in the soul. The lovln~ simple heart has a place not less important to fill in ministry to others than the clear intellect and the powerful will. The tears and gratitude of the widows were a noblo t.estimony to Dorcas and her character. She was a centre of the true "sweetness and light" in the community, a fountain of pure Christian love. "In the possession of one such example a Church has a great spiritual c.apital. When such a one dies, God will raise up followers, for love never dies." 2. The office of raising from the dead. Was not this entrusted to Peter, that it might be a parable to all times of this truth- that God gives to chosen men in the Church the power to raise others out of death into life, that is, instrumentally? The Resurrection is spiritually repeated whenever the word of power reaches the conscience. Peter puts all the mourners out of the room, kneels down and prays. This was after the example of the Master. Solitude, silence, and prayer preps.re for all exertion of spiritual activity. However great the power cntru.Rted to the minister of God, he must still use it in dependence upon him. However urgent the call from men, the Divine will must first be consulted before it is obeyed. From dependence on God comes all independence of other conditions. To use the imperative mood with others, we must have learned the submissive mood before him. The word, " Tabitha, arise I " and the stretching out of the hand to the prostrate one,-these acts had their antecedents in the spiritual sphere. We cannot comprehend a miracle; but we may be well assured that it follows a Divine though hidden law. God has reason in all his acts. In the giving of the lost but restored ono again to her friends we have a prophecy of future restoration of those whom we have loved and lost. There are moments when the power of God is put forth to realize our most loving wishes and to satisfy the unquenchable aspirations of the heart. Our friends "live in God" as Dorcas and Lazarus lived in him, and death is but a semblance for pious souls. Would that we had that profound knowledge of the power and love of God which should enable us to see the wondrous in the common I Faith will be produced and will be increased wherever our passage through the world, our visits and our words, are followed by a joy like that reflected on the Church at Joppa by the visit and ministry of Peter.-J. Vers. 1-9.-The sign from heaven. The state of the Church and the world calling for such a sign. The want of a greater spirit among the apostles, to undertake the new leadership as the gospel went forth to challenge the whole world. The awakening mind of the disciples-Samaria, Philip and the eunuch, Cresarea. (eh. viii. 40), all pointed to a new epoch. The hour we.s there; but where was the man, Peculiar qualifications necessary-intellect; culture; burning zeal; personal experience of the power of Christ. Notice- L THE CHALLENGE ]![ET. 1. Saul represented persecution. A successful raid at Damascus would be a decisive blow at the new sect. Preparation made. If prisoners could be brought bound to Jerusalem, an appeal could be made to crush the heresy. 2. The challenge was ma.de to the utmost. He was suffered to draw nigh to Damascus, and was 1urrounded by his fellow-persecutors. 3, The blow which struck him down was distinctly supernatural, a s:gn from heaven. Jesus did not fight with carnal weapons. He smote with " light out of heaven," and a voice addressing the heart and conscience. II. THE llA.N Ol'IOSEN A1'D CALLED, 1. His previous history showed the work of God's Spirit. His question," Who art thou, Lord?" His remembrance of S~ephen and his words. His immediate submission. 2. The IllJl.nuer of Saul's conversion a pre- paration of his soul for the part he was to take in the Church's work, It was greatly ir..dependent of human agency (t-1'. Augustine; Luther). It w~s a mira.ch, which to him became the moral basis of all other miracles, It enabled him to say,., l have seen the Lord Christ;" and gave hi:,.n at once an apostolic position. 3. 'l'he overwhelming OIL 1L 1-43.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 801