The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 308

of Peter's euprem11cy; but it is necessary to m11ints.in the apostolic guidance Rnd leader- ehip of the early Church, otherwise the New Testament itself loses its 11,uthority.-R, Vers. 86-43.-The raising of Doroo,s. The contrast between the nncient 11.nd modern world, ch11nging somewh11.t the relation of almsdeeds to_ the rost of Christian life; bnt the poor 11\ways with us. The special province of womll,ll in the Church. 'l'he individuality of the charity, not a society, but Dorcas the woman. I. FAITH WORKING BY LOVE. 1. Show that Doi·cas was not a mere philanthropic worker, but a true believer, 2. 'l'he disciples at once sent for Peter, believing that he represented a Divine power at work, hoping that something might be accomplished, at all events believing that the Spirit of the Lord would cast out the gloom of their sorrow. 3. It was an atmosphere of true faith in which such a miracle could be wrought. 4. The character and work of Dorcas typical of the influence of Christianity in the world; ~ist~nguishing it from all other religions;_ caring for the weak, lifting up women, san~ tifymg sorrow. II. TBE TID!ESHOLD OF THE GE..'fftLE WORLD. Peter· many days~at Joppa. A place where a vast and mingled population. The raising of the dead a great sign both to the world and to Peter himself. The loving character of the new doctrine set forth ; a special appeal to the heathen. The rapid spread of the gospel an immense encourage- ment and elevation of the apostle's mind. All preparing him for the revelation about to be made. Peter and Dorcas hand-in-hand at the gate of the Gentiles, full of signi- ficance. We shall lay hold of the outlying masses of the population by Dorcas-like activity. Women will wonderfully help in the spread of Christianity. The true power Jf Christ is that which ministers.-R. Vers. 1-5.-The one question of conversion. With this paragraph the landmark of the history changes. The conspicuous figure of Paul is seen, and is not again lost to sight till a certain Lord's day morning dawns on the Isle l-'atmos. The differences that exist in the life and lot of various men often awaken thought in those who think enough, oftener envy or murmur in those who fai1 to think enough. It rJ 11, inotable token of the character of such envy that, when excited, it is almost invariably in those instances which show diiferences of worldly lot or providential circumstance. But amid all the differences that might legitimately surprise, none can for a moment compare in intrinsic significance with that which gave, still gives, ever will give, undying renown to Saul-that be is, and is set forth as the type of conversion. He stands before us as remarkable in many ways-as an apostle; as a writer of many Epistles, ever studied, never wearied of; as a first missionary to the Gentiles, and most bold preacher of the gospel; as the planter and settler of so many primitive Churches far and wide; and as a man of such endurance and of so many hairbreadth escapes, that men would say for the one he had an iron constitution, for the other he wore a charmed life. But he is most known, he is apparently: most intended to be known, by just what belongs to his con- version. The tale of Saril without his conversion (which be repeats within our knowledge twice for himself, how many times more we cannot say) would be an instance, and in the intensest form too, of the play of• Hamlet' without Hamlet. Would that there were those, and many of them, who, coveting "the best gifts," coveted this unworldly distinction-the thoroughness, the conspicuousness, the ever-enduring practical results of such a conversion I But how unusual is this ambition I 'fhe prominence given to the conversion of Saul cannot mean less than this, that it is a sample. Yet is it not put where it is to stand there in solitary unique grandeur, inapproachable, but that it may be approached, studied, reproduced. Let us look into it at the moment of its crisis, the moment when such unwonted words started to the lipt1 of Saul, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? n L lN THIS QUESTION IS FOUND TBE OUTSPOKEN OONFESBION 01!' PA.BT DABKNEBB, mNOBANOE, .MIBTA.KE. Conversion reveals to a man, not only many other very important things, as time goes on, of which he had never dreamt, but it surprisingly persuades him of this to beuin with-that he does not know something which he thought he did know, perhaps th~ught he knew particularly well. What an astonishing thing to hear Saul asking, of all other queations, such a one as this, " Who art thou, Lord ? n This is a great point to gain. Saul had ihought he did know this, and knew that Jesue was OJI, IX, 1-43,] THE ACTS OF THE .APOSTLES. 306