The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 369

John as tbo positive surpasses the negative; the entrance into blessin(J', the denial ,,f nod depnrture from evil. 'l'be conclufiion, then, of the whole ia that the facts arc irrosisUblo. In these lie the clear intimations of providential will. Neither apostle nor nn"el can contend against facts, whether they refer to the outer work! and are constricd by scientific law, or to the inner world and are known by the devout soul as revelations and inspirations. The Gentile is placed on an equality with the Jew in roforenco to the bleBsings of the gospel; one does not stand in the vestibule the other in the interior of the new temple, but both are gathered to the heart o/ Guel who reconciles us to himself by Jesus Christ. A common faith in him entitles us ~ll to the appellation" sons of God," and therefore brethren amongst one another: "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Thus, when the hour strikes, does God silence contro,ersy, causes his voice alone to be heard, and presently draws forth a burst of praise from human hearts. Yes; at bottom the heart loves truth, and craves the revelation of love, "God then hath given tbe nations repentance unto life!" The si;!ns of the times point to a similar revolution of the large and generous spirit of the gospel. May we be ready to meet it, and not be found amongst those who contend against the light and fight against God, but amongst those who herald with joy and thankfulness the approach of the new dilwn; for the Sun of Righteousness shall arise to those tba, fear his Name with healing in his wings.--J. Vers. 19-26.-Founding of the Church at .Antioch. I. THE SECO:t."DABY CAUSES OF THE FOUNDATION, Christians had been dispersed by the persecution. Alld thus there went a stream of believers through Phcenicia, Cyprus, and the district of Antioch, charged with the Divine message, living seminaries of the word of love. Persecution, in breaking up communities, diffuses their spiritual contents, as when the box of precious unguent is broken a sweet perfume is diffused abroad. As a rule, these emissaries addressed themselves only to the Jews. But some there were who had seized the larger truth of the gospel and the time, and proclaimed the gospel to the Greeks also. On the day of Pentecost men from Cyrene are named as present, witnesses of the power of the Holy Spirit. Better fitted are they to carry back the gospel to their countrymen than those born Jews. God knows where to find the proper labourers for any harvest which he has ripening. II. 'l'HE SUCCESS OF THE MISSION. The hand of tl:ie Lord, the Divine power, was with them, and in large numbers converts and believers were forthcoming. Is not the hand of the Lord ever stretched forth when his blessing is sought, his commands obeyed? All through these profoundly interesting details, do we not clearly see that Goel requires human co-operation? We bind the hands of God-to use a bold figure- when we do not faithfully deliver his truth, the truth which the time is bidding us to utter. It was the generous and world-wide application of the gospel which was followed by the Divine sanction and blessing. As it was then, so may we expect it to be now and ever. III. THE VISIT OF BARNABAS. 1. The Church at Jerusalem, bearing of the progress of the truth at Antioch, despatch Barnabas thither. They are quite otherwise dis- posed than upon a former occasion (ver. 1, sqq.). Peter had then to meet a storm of objections to his holding intercourse with the heathen. But now the same Church sends without hesitation Barnabas to further the good work. Thus gradually does God unfold his ways, and opposition gives way before his manifested counsels, as the frost-bound snows before the sun of the spring-time. 2. And when Barnabas saw the grace of God, he was glad. The spiritual eye discerns spiritual things. As Gud is no respecter of persons, neither is he who lives in the fellowship of God's mind. It is no question of the human instrument, but of the Divine results; not of the channels of the grace, but of that pure grace itself. 3. Barne,bas proves himself true to his name and che,racter, and proves his fitness for the mission. Good and holy himself, his exhortations tend to goodness and holiness. Let them cleave to God with the full purpose of the heart. ~ver a salutary counsel-to walk by the same rule, to mind the same thing, to stand in the old ways and inquire for the well-trodden paths. Religion is an attitude of the soul, a habit of the will. The constant Divine Object requires constancy iu us; let us be true to him as th~ ma~net to the \Joie. It_ is good to become a Christian, better to be a Christian, best ol all to endure as 11, Chn,uan and  366 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [cu. x1. 1--30.