The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 445

through much tribulation we enter the kingdom (ver. 22), Christian truth is large and deep. It bas its portion for the idolater, another for the novitiate, another for the matured. The true Christian leader is he who varies his instruction in accordance with the spiritu11l condition of his disciples. 3. 1'o exert a powerful personal influence. The apostles "confirmed the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith" (ver. 22); ,.e. they brought to bear on their minds and hearts all the moral influence which they could exert by the weight of their love and their urgent solicitation; they appealed to them by every consideration which would touch their souls to remain steadfast in the faith, loyal to the Lord their Saviour. 4. To mllke permanent provision for Christian culture (ver, 23). 6. To make them the object of earnest prayer (ver. 23). II. THE PART OF THE DISCIPLE. This is: 1. To recognize the earnestness of his spiritual guide, and to give him his best attention. We have no truer friend, none to whom we owe more, not one who has a greater claim on our reverent regard, than the teacher who has led us to God. 2. 'l'o expect a fair share of struggle and endurance. There is no kingdom, and certainly not the kingdom of God, to be entered without trying and even painful experiences. The Christian disciple must lay his account with this fact: he is to understand that whoever will follow Christ must take up his cross to do so (Matt. xvi. 24); that there will be ridicule to be endured, opposition to be overcome, disappointments to be surmounted, inward evils to be subdued, many things that will demand a holy and elevated fortitude. 3. To submit to those who are appointed to exercise authority-the " elders in every Church ; " and to avail himself of those means of grace and growth which they may institute. 4. To keep in view the consummation of Christian hope, the blessed kingdom of God. When trials thicken and duties multiply, when the new and better life is shadowed with dark clouds, when the way is long and toilsome, then the disciple is to look on and up, beyond the plains and hills of earth to the heavenly Zion, beyond the sufferings of the present to the glory which is to be revealed.--C. Ve?'II. 24-28.-The work of God. This first famous missionary tour had some features quite peculiar to itself and is, in some respects, inimitable by us. But in other aspects it may be regarded as a typical work of God. . L IT wAS BEGUN IN GoD. It was (1) prompted by his Spirit (eh. xiii. 2, 4); (2) entered upon after seeking Divine guidance (ver. 26). Paul and Barnabas went forth, the conscious workmen of God himself. They felt that what would be done through their instrumentality would be done " by God with them." All was, as all should ever be," begun in him." IL bi: ms STRENGTH IT wAS CAllBIED o:s AND OOMPLETED, In his strength. The eniire account, from beginning to end, conveys the idea that the apostles sought and found their stren~h in a Di vine source; indeed, nothing less would have sustained them under the difficulties and sufferings of their mission. It was carried on and completed. It was a work "which they fulfilled" (1) spite of Mark's discouraging defection (eh. xiii 13); (2) notwithstanding the physical difficulties of travelling and the active animosity of the Jews; (3) though every personal consideration would have led them to conclude it earlier (ver. 21). Undeterred by any checks, untempted by any induce- ments, they went quite through their work-God's work-and did not cease to toil and to endure until everything was done they could do, not only to introduce but to e,'ltablish the Christian faith in the heart of the heathen land they visited. Well is it for the Christian workman when it can be said of him that he "fulfilled" or finished bis work. Sometimes (1) weariness, or (2) timidity, or (3) dissatisfaction, or (4) disseusion overtakes the labourer even in the field of holy love, and he lays down his weapon and forsakes his work. Not his is the crownandthe "Welldonel"atthehandandthelipsofthe Lord. III. IT Wil OBOWNED BY A RECITAL TO THOSE WHOH THEY REPRESENTED. Paul and BarnabBI! were undoubtedly sent of God; but they also went as members of the Church at Antioch. That Church regarded them as its representatives, followed them with its sympathies, sustained them by its prayers, and received them back with its warmest welcome. And to that Church. gathered together for the purpose, they recoun\ed" all that God had done with them "-a most suitable crown to a noble work., an. uv.1-28.] THE AOTB OF THE APOSTLES.