The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 420

them yielded an intelligent, Mving fll.itb to the truths presented. Bo much of centrifuaal force wM there in the enmity of the Jews that the gospel we.s carri.id far and wide, and" the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the region" (ver. 49). A happy thing it is for us that often "vaulting ambition o'erleaps itself and comes down on the other side," that the wrath of man does occasionally and incidentally work the righteousness and grace of God, that the industry of evil builds up the walls it is seeking to undermine. V, THATJrllNISTERIALSUCOESS IS CERTAIN TO BE DASIIED WITH SOME DISAPPOINTHENT, and that the Christian teacher must mingle reproach with invitation (vers. 60, 61). Vl, THAT FAITHFUL WORK MAY FILL THE MINISTER OF CHRIST WITH HOLY JOY, (Ver. 52.) There is a gladness, an exultation, which may find a home in the teacher's heart which is not holy, and when it cannot be said that be is" filled with joy and the holy Ghost;" that is, when he Is congratulating himself with a satisfaction that is selfish, earthly, unspiritual But when his joy is pure, disinterested, Christian; when he rejoices because Christ is being honoured and men are being raised and blessed, then is his heart happy with a joy with which the Holy Spirit is closely associated, and which "sanctifies and satisfies the soul"-C. Vera. 1-3.-0rdination of Barnaba,a and &ul. I. THE TBUE WEALTH OF A CHUBCB. There were prophets and teachers at Antioch. Nothing is said about its wealth in money, only about its wealth in men. A religious community may possess 11plendid buildings, wealthy members; may command amply all the external appliances of worship and work; but unless it has men, it has not strength. Intelligence and enthusiasm, piety and genius, constitute the true forces of the Church. Without these, it is feeble with all its worldly resources; with these, it is mighty in poverty. IL THE CONSECRATION OF TEE FIRST llllSSIONABIES. 1. It was preceded by prayer and fasting. The moderation of the body gives freedom and clearness to the judgment. There is nothing artificial in the true proceedings of spiritual man. The bodily and the spiritual life cannot be both affirmed at the same time. In denying the body we affirm the Spirit. In casting off the weights of sense we rise into the purer air. 2. It was ar,wmpanied by laying cm of hands. '' Order is Heaven's first law," and in the Church "let all things be dolUI decently and in order.n The act marks peculiar selection out of the mass of men, and for special and peculiar ends of work. From Antioch in its strength and spiritual prosperity went forth the first missionaries. This is a.n example. When we are full of thought we long to speak or otherwise give it to the world. When the fire burns within the soul the tongue cannot be mute. In like manner, a vigorous Church will be a missionary Church; the falling off of missionary interest is a symptom that we have less hold upon the truth or have lost the fulness of love from the heart.-J. Vera. 4-12.-The mlmcm in Oypru,,. I. THE FALSE PROPHET. Ba.r-jesus may stand as the type of one class of foes with whom Christianity has to contend. He is described as a "mage n and a "false prophet." It appears that he gave himself the title of Elymas (to which word the modem Turkish ulema corresponds)-" wise man" par ezcellence. The essence of the magic calling is the pretension to override the laws of nature and providence in obedience to the wishes and phantasies and ea.prices of the individual It would make imagination and feeling the test of truth and right, rather than the fixed truth and Word of God. The spirit of this false prophet is seen in his attaching himself to the proconsul, as the parasite attaches itself to the sound life and in the endeavour to divert him from Christianity. Here is a test of the false spirit in the teacher. If we really love the truth and possess it, we have no desire to divert the course of argument from other minds. The more light and discussion, the better for the truth. Suspect the man who tries to silence another by clamour or prejudice the ear of the audience against him. II. THE 'l'BUE APOSTLE. Paul had been "sent by the Holy Spirit,'' and now he ia filled by the " Holy Spirit." This gives him boldneaa and directness in dealing with the impostor. 1. There are times w~en d1:nunciatio~ ma_y b~ use~ by t~e servant of Christ; for there are times when ev1l, stripped of its d1sgu1ses, 1s manifest, and no ~ril!-B cr.n bi' hel4 with it. A.nd the qe1;1W1ciatioq of the a,postlo poipts to tbe scc;r!lt OH. xm.1-62,] THE AOTB OF THE APOSTLES. 417