The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 449

Vers. S-18.-.77ie 'light shining in darknes1: Lystra. The heathenish state of the population. So much the brighter seemed the light. The effect of the miracle on the cripple. A warning against making a superstitious use of men's credulity -as the Romish Church has done. I. A REAL TRIAL OF THE A.POSTLE!!. 1. Of their faithfulness to the truth. Had they been willing, as the Church afterwards was, to mingle heathenism with Christianity, they might have accomplished more in captivating the minds of the people. 2: Of their humi1ity and self-sacrijici,ng zeal. They put aside men's worship that they might be free to serve God. What an example to their successors I 3. 0 f their inspired wisdom and d?'.scretson. They knew how to restrain an excited people whose homage might easily be turned into fury. They made the occasion an opportunity for preaching a gospel of love and purity. IL AN EXAMPLE OF THE WORLD'S WANT OF THE TRUTH AS IT m IN JESUS. 1. Ga.ping after wonders. Led by priests; worshipping men of like passions with themselves. Ignorant of the true character of God. Ungrateful in the midst of his abundant mercies. Unobservant of the witness which he bears to himself in nature and in the course of providence. 2. The glad tidings bro~ht into the midst of such a world. .At :first not understood; but the preachers must follow the example of the apostles, and, beginning at the testimony which surrounds men in their own life, lead them to the hlgher truth of revelation. Missionaries shonld study the field in which they labour.-R. Vers. 19-28.-Dangers and BUCCeSses. The unstable mnltitude open to rapid changes of feeling. "Hosanna!" to day; "Crucify him!" to-morrow. Paul's miraculous escape a great help to the faith of· disciples. Possibly his suffering a reason for speedy return to Antioch. L THE EXPERIENCE OF THE l"IBBT MIBSIONA..BY JOURNEY A PBEPABATION FOB THE YUTUBE. L The necessity of patience. 2. The importance of making the work thorough and confirming the we,a,k. 3. The relation of aggressive work to orderly Church life, Both in the new Churches elders appointed, and at Antioch all rehoarsed. IL The preciousne!IS of RISING FAITH BEQUIBES A JEALOUS WATCHFULNESS, even at the risk of personal suffering. It was dangerous for Paul and Barnabas to visit the same places ao-ain, but "the souls of the disciples n were more in their eyes than their own comfort ~r even safety. 1. True confirmation is a recognition of present grace. 2. The experience of the more advanced should help the new converts and the young. 'l'he Ohurch hall much neglected this duty. 3. Trouble must always attend faith. The blessings which we care not to fight for we shall soon lose. 4. 'l'he appointment of superintending elders is apostolic. They were doubtless from among the new Churches themselves, but chosen with discretion and in dependence on the blessing of God. All done with prayer and self-denial. The presence of the Lord the one true anction. IIL TJDI! BEREABBU. OF f!PIBITUAL succz•eEr, a great encouragement to God's people. 1. In the gathered Church, not merely in private; for the Church is the true centre from which 1,ll proceeds and to which all is brought. 2. The true missionary work OH, XIV, 1-28.] THE AOTB OF l'RE APOS'.fLEB. 447