The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 370

inherit the promise of the crown of lifo. Here, too, we Seti the qualities of the true teacher-to be good and upright in life-conversation, to be full of the holy oonfidence which faith inspires, and of that coutagious iuspiration which God's indwelling imparts. IV. THE RESULT OF BLESSING. A "considerable multitude added to the Lord." Aud this, it see_ms, in cousequence of the visit of Barnabas. How mighty the power of one energetic will, one faithful heart, of a man who can say with all his heart, "I believe," and whose life backs up his word I So successful is the work, so full the net of the gospel fisher, that Barnabas has to seek the a.id of Saul. Another proof o'. the pure and humble temper of Barnabas. Evidently he did not desire to make himself the great man at Antioch. The greatness of the work and of his Master engrossed his thoughts. Nor does Saul thrust himself forward, but comes when sought. It is a picture of friendship and comradeship in the service of Christ. Plato rhapsodized of the joint stri.ing of two souls after knowledge and truth; but nobler and sweeter is the joint striving of two souls to serve the Saviour of men and promote his kingdom of peace and love in souls. Memorable year in the annals of Christianity! Here were the disciples first called Christians-followers of the Christ, of the Anointed One; themselves anointed by the same Spirit and to the same life-work. Let us go back to the origin of our name, that we ::nay understand its meaning. The notes of the true Chl·istian are and ever were, the anointing of the Holy Ghost and with power, and the liJe seen t.o be busy, like that of the Master, in "doing good."-J. Vers. l-18.-77ie Church of God set on the new foundation of liberty. I. The only stable foundation of sPmITUAL FELLOWSHIP. Mutual confidence. Common dependence on the Spirit of God. Free speech. Entire understanding of the rule of life. Peter himself cannot be allowed to violate accepted principles without being called to account. He frankly explains and justifies his conduct. 'l'he old leaven of Judaism was at work ; but the antidote was there--obedience to the Spirit. IL The true conditions of sPmITUAL ADVANCEMENT. The individual not deBpotically silenced, k.t called to his true place as one of the community, a member of the body, supplying his portion of new light. The standard of reference, not Pater's private opinion, or the Church's decision after discussion, but the manifestation of the Spirit in facts and undoubted testimony. There were seven trustworthy witnesses. " Who was I, that I could withstand God 1" Difference between such a revelation and those private, isolated assertions of inspiration such as Swedenborg's and others. llL THE BREA.KD-G DOWN OF THE "MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION" between Jew and Gentile; glory to God. The old circumcision superseded by the new baptism, Hepcnt&nce granted to all. The free gift of the Spirit.-R. Vcrs. 19-26.-A MW centre of evangelistic work. Antioch. Another hold upon the Gentile world. More important than Cresarea. Next to .Alexandria, Intellectual culture; commercial. A sphere prepared for Saul. L TBE MTh'IBTBY EMPLOYED. Lay agency. Persecution compelling the Church to enlarge its borders. The circumstances opening the door to tho Gentiles. Probably little success among Jews. The mult.itudes of Greeks at Antioch. '!'he Greek mind prepared for inquiry. The i.tate of the heathen world well represented there. IL Tm: DrvINE TESTIMONY GIVEN, The hand of the Lord with them. The Spirit outpoured. Possibly not so much in miraculous signs, but in con versions. IIL THE MESSAGE PREACHED. "The Lord Jesus." Not speculations to catch philosophers, bnt facts to lay hold of hearts. Not preached in a tone of ecclesiastical authority, but by laymen full of the Holy Ghost. IV. THE TWO CENTBEB m."ITED-JmrnsALEK .A.lfD ANTIOCH. Apostolic ministry and lay agency. Barnabas, an intermediate representati~~ man, T~e kind of ~an re9.uir~d; not lax in his viewi. of truth, but "a good man, full of kmdly spmt, an mspired man, a firm believer. 'l'hUB the expansion of the Church was no rendmg of the boay uf Christ, but simple growth, spiritual life seeking its ~evelopment, . V. THE SCHOOL OF THE CmracH OPENED. Antwch a great catechet1cal centre, Barnabas aimed at instruction and edification, that they should cleave unto the Lord. He called in Sa.ul, as more eminently adapted than himself for work in such a 11phero- orr. 11. 1-30.] THE AOTS OF THE APOSTLES. 367