The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 332

Ver. 15.-God's chosen tJessel,s. Take the single sentence, "He is a chosen vessel unto me;" literally," a vessel of election." Illustrate by the apostle's own figure of tho "potter having power over the clay,'" and refer to prophetic illustrations taken from the potter's wheel and art. Here, however, the meaning of "vessel" may rather be "instrument," or" tool" In every age God has called forth special workers, fitted for the occasions; "with the hour always comes the man." In the ordering of God's provi- dence, the time had come for the extension of Christianity to the Gentiles, and now we :ire directed to Saul as God's chosen vessel, or instrument, for this work. From his case may be illustrated the following points concerning "God's chosen vessels:"- L THEY ABE PREPARED FOB THEIR WORK BY HIS PROVIDENCE. After showing how Saul was being fitted by his earlier experiences, :find further illustration in the earlier careers of Joseph, Moses, David, etc. And show how our Lord's secluded life at Nazareth may be regarded as his preparation-time. Careful observance of men and life and work now brings again and again to view the wonderful ways in which they have been prepared for the stem work of their full manhood. The fact is so fully recognized as to have passed into a. proverb, and we say, "The child is father to the man." Then it follows that the wise training of our children should include the careful culture of any special gift or endowment of which we may see indications. II. THEY ABE FOUID> IN GoD's OWN TIME. It is not enough that a man should find out what he can do; he must wait on God to teach him the time for the doing, and the sphere in which his work is to be done. Saul had yet to wait some time before his lie-sphere was pointed out to him. But we need have no fear. WilUng servants are never left idle, and when God's work is ready he will call to it the workmen he has prepared. A North-country proverb is, " 'l'he tools come to the hands of him who can use them ; " and God's people can tell strange stories of the gracious orderings of provi- dence that brought their great life-work to their hands. Jll. MIGHTY TO DO THE Lozo's woBK. Because the appointment to a particular ~ervice carries with it the assurance that sufficient grace for the work will be given. Fitness is not enough, if it stand alone ; it must be followed up by daily grace for dficient working. Compare Moses willing to go on to further journeyings only if the Loru would go with him ; and the Apostle Paul " able to do all things through him ;. he, strengthened him." We can always do what God calls ua to do, We are wrong, Oll, IX. 1-43.] TH:E ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 329