The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 372

but those indirect conflicts which are entailed by: 1. The inconsistencies of Christian, in their indi \"idual lifo. 2. The "contentions" of Christians in their mutual 01 collective life. We have before us a threatening instance of this latter kind, and an agreeable example of the way in which it wa.s averted. Notice- I. A THRE.~·rn~n:m INSTANCE OF CONTENTION AMONG A DODY OF CrrRISTIANS. We read that "when l'eter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him." Though the more unfavourable turn of the word as now used by us need not be pressed, yet it certainly implies, as it stands, dissatisfaction with what he bad _done, and not the gentlest or suavest manner exhibited in calling him to account for 1t. 1. Contentions within Christian communities are in their simplest principle and beginning justifiable. It need not be said of them, as of offences," Woo to him by whom they come!" though it may, nay, almost must, be said of them, that '.hey" will come." It is for this reason, because the Church on earth is, as amongst its own members, its own guardian. It acknowledges the headship of Christ, It acknowledges the rule of the Spirit. It does not acknowledge any earthly lord, any ricar of Christ, any earthly sovereign authority. Hence it is answerable for its own doctrine and for its own discipline within its own pale. And investigation, debate, yea, all tbe formality of judicial trial (so that neither motives, methods, nor weapons are carnal), are within its province. 2. Contentions within Christian communities very generally arise on some plausible ground, to say the least. It was certainly so now. It is highly import.ant to discriminate as far as possible between what is really legitimate anci what is merely plausible. Of the first are-(1) zeal of scriptural doctrine and revealed fact; (2) zeal of a holy and consistent life. But of the second are- (1) mere love of precedent; (2) ascription of motives; (3) generally scant charity. ~-l. Contentions within Christian communities fix stern responsibility on those who stir them, oniy second to that of those who cause them, when this is really done. 4. Con- tentions within Christian communities demand as much, as solemnly as any position whatsoever in life, singleness of eye and a pure conscience. Feeling, personal feeling, :party feeling, priestly feeling, and even the perfection of ignorant prejudice, have, in probably the saddest preponderance of history, profanely trampled on the ground and made it mournfully all their own. Nor is there any more hollow hypocrisy, more miserable mockery, more insnlting blasphemy, than when these counterfeit zeal for the Lord of hosts and a pure and sensitive conscience. IL A GRATEFUL EXAMPLE OF THE METHOD DY WHICH IT WAS .AVERTED. It takes two persons to make a bargain, and two to make a quarrel; and, if a reconciliation is to be genuine and have in it the elements of lasting, both parties must do their share. It was so now. 1. Peter did what lay in him to remove cause of offence and to explab difficulty. (1) He seems to have been taxed in a somewhat point-blank style. Yet he does not rein himself up, though he does rein temper in. He does not stand on his dignity, and refuse any account of himself and doings till he is addressed in a somewhat milder and more deferential style. (2) He does not assert simply that what he had done he had done under an overpowering conviction" of duty "-a phrase among the worst abused of moral phrases. (3) He does not assert positively, even though he had good right to know it, that what he had done was right and all right, and no two opinions about it with any man of understanding and principle. (4) Discardina all irritating and aggravating beginnings, he even waives any expression of claim ;;;, the confidence of "the brethren," and instead, at once conciliatingly tells his tale. He tells it all from the beginning to the end succinctly. He narrates the revelations made to him (vers. 5-10). He states the facts, which could be easily disproved if incorrect (ver. 11). He instances h:is "six br_ethren" c~mpanions, w_ho were witnesses of all he had done, and were now m the pos1t1on of witnesses for him (ver. 12). He tempts out their memory by jus~ quoti?g his own (ver. 16). .And in closing even he cl.oes not pronounce a dogmatic verdict for self, but rather asks a verdict and whether his hearers think the case admits of any verdict different from what h~ bad in his conduct practically given. It is well worthy of notice how different the result miO'ht have been if Peter had at all, in a hectoring tone, begun with this IJ. uestion. Bi.rt he did f'iot begin with it; and when, with Christian gentleness, he now clot!e6 with it, all are ready in their answer to acquit him of blame. They 108 with his eye &nd are one with him. 2. On the other hand. those who had at first possibl,y DR, lU, 1-80,] THE AOTS OF THE APOSTLES. 3S(l