The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 322

sort of number there. So far as they were strictly disciples, their nmazemont marks no doubt, on the one he.ad, grateful and adoring impression; but, on the other, it is not altogether free from the impnta.tion of betraying that the glories of the Spirit's power in oonversion, and the force of the truth and call of Jesus, were at present only dawning upon their min<ls. We still speak of remarkable conversions, chiefly because they are so rare. We have had euough instances of them to satisfy us as to what the force of conversion is on every kind of sinner, in every kind of nature, and in every " nation." We are ever to magnify Christ and the Spirit, and gratefully to acknowledge their triumphs in conversion, but the expression of ama.cement may sometimes derogate from their honour. Perhaps the conversion of Saul was not only the most remarkable conversion that had yet ta.ken place, but was the only one that, all things together, had stood out uniqu,el,y enough to compel attention individually. i. They were in pa.rt unconvinced Jews, who, dead in formality, still frequented the synagogues in Damascus, The lingering and somewhat feeble faith and knowledge of the o.isciples finds something to counterbalance it, perhaps to some little degree, in the quickly aroused criticism and spirit of observation on the part of others less enlightened than they. The indirect influences of Christ and of his truth are many and effective. His enemies, and the force and the violence and the cruelty of their opposition, he often makes tributary to the advancement of his cause. Many who had hitherto willingly spread opposition, and opposition only, now become the means of spreading tidings of how the chief of the opposition had thrown up the contest and joined heart and hand to help. And they spread this ominous fact in the most contagious manner. It is by the manner of wondering, excited question, and question that wraps up in a sentence or two the salient and really telling aspects of the whole matter. The astonishment of the godly is often deep down in their own souls or sacred in the converse of one another; the astonish- ment of the ungodly is sure to be loud on their lip. But when this latter largely rein- forces the former, both advantages are secured, and the march of victory advances to the step of both friends a.nd foes. It wa.s so now, and throughout the whole people far and wide notoriety was as the consequence given to the conversion of Saul-a notoriety which had its share in bringing on the "Churches' rest" spoken of in ver. 31. ill. THE BESULTB OF TBB A.11.A.ZEHENT. 1. A very wide hearing was gained irre- sistioly, not for the truths of Christianity alone, but for its triumphs as well. One triumph is itself a sermon better than a thousand merely spoken sermons, And now this triumph-sermon, this sermon of sermons, is procla.imed and repeated by thousands of lips. 2. Even when first impressions had died away, substantial increase of faith and hope was left in the character of all "disciples." They had without doubt known already striking instances of changed opinion and feeling and life among those to whom Christ had been preached, and for whom .his mighty works had been done, But this was not what is generally meant by a remarkable conversion, The grand feature here was not the reform from an unholy life, but the reform from an uncompromising anta- gonist into a devoted and very powerful champion. This would be a comparatively new and a most refreshing testimony to disciplea cl. the nature and the force of the new treasure they had in the gospel of J esns Christ. 3. Slumbering enmity and indifference to Christ in those who were not disciples were brought into the shape in which they would be best dealt with-malignant enmity and active resistance. Now" the sinners" and "those who were at ease" wake themselves. Here is found a foeman worthy indeed of their "steel." if they had weapon of the make, But they had not. They therefore, conspire and "watch day and n.ight,n to learn how vain the attempt to take those whom Christ holds so safe in his hand and love. The fruit of confessed amaze- ment and undoubted amazement at the mighty deeds of Christ must ever be either hearty obedience to him, or an understanding more blinded and life aggravated to perverseness itself.-B. Ver. 25.-The beginning of peri1s for Paul. To this_ beginn~ng of "perils" Paul will often in l.e.ter days of life have looked back. He did not live to any prolonged period, but if he had, there is not a length of life so long nor charged with changes so violent as to be able to cut off from us the effects of the touching comparisons and the telliug contrasts of beginning and ending. Many a broken portion of life offers us such effeo~; but how mnch JD.ore moving those of life itself I Long waa the list of perils  OH, IX, 1-43,] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 319