The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 30

promises by faith. It was when Abraham believed a promise, and was strengthened In faith, that he gave glory to God. And this way of glorifying our God is open to all of us. Let us not stagger at his promises, but believe his love and rely on his faith- fulness. Be cannot deny himself. Glory be to the Father, who promises to be a. Father to us, and to take us for his sons and daughters I Glory be to the Son, in whom all things are ours by free grace, and God himself is not ashamed lo be called our God I Glory be to the Holy Ghost, for the anointing, the sealing, and the earnest in our hearts (vers. 21, 22) ! The promises of God being established in Christ, we too who believe are established in Christ by the Holy Spirit, and so the promises are ours. What will you do who have no hold of the promises, no hearty faith in the Divine Promiser? For you there is no bright future; for the inheritance is by promise of free grace in Christ Jesus. Yet we do not ask you to believe a promise. Strictly speaking, there is no promise to men who are not in Christ. But Christ himself is set before you and offered to you. Believe on the Name of the only begotten Son of God, according to the tenor of the gospel. Then all things will be yours. The promises of grace and glory are for you; for they are all yea and amen in Jesus Christ our Lord.-F. Ver. 24.-The apostolic ministry. I. APOSTOLIO TESTIMONY. Our religion is based on facts seen and known, abundsntly verified and honestly related. Of these facts apostles were the chosen witnesses. When they spoke to their countryme11, the Jews, they showed how those facts concerning Jesus Qf Nazareth fulfilled Old Testa- ment types and prophecies of the Christ. But the real foundation which they laid everywhere was one of fact. Jesus had died and God bad raised him from the dead. Of these things they were absolutely sure, and on their testimony the Church was built. On this it is well to lay emphasis. From one side there comes an insidious suggestion to cease from asserting the miraculous nativity and the actual bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ as historical facts, and to content ourselves with the elevation of ideas and sweetness of culture which are associated with his Name. To this we cannot listen, because we cannot live in a house without foundations, and we do not believe that tho ideas and influences of Christianity can long remain with us if wo part with the historical Christ to whom the apostles bore witness. From the opposite side we encounter another danger. The facts which were testified by apostles and prophets ere overlaid with masses of theological sta.lement and niceties of controversial distinction. Not the Redeemer is preached, but the scheme of redemption ; not the death of Christ, but the doctrine of atonement; not his resurrection, but the tenets of the schools regarding the results secured by his "finished work." Now, we do not for a moment disparage theology, systematic or polemical, or forget that St. Paul put much theology into his letters to the Churches; bnt it is a thing taught and argued, not witnessed. We must adhere to our point, that the gospel is a proclamation of facts, and the Church rests on a foundation of facts, certified by the apostles as competent and chosen wit- nesses-facts, however, not dry and barren, but significant, suggestive, full of profound meaning and intense spiritual power. St. Paul was careful to assume no higher place in regard to the gospel than that of a faithful witness. He delivered it just as he bad received it, "by the revelation of Jesus Christ." He told the Galatians that, if be him- self should be found at any future time proclaiming any other gospel, or if an angel from heaven should do so, he was not to be listened to--he was to be accursed. Any perversion of that gospel which had been delivered from the beginning would be sufficient to discredit an apostle ns a false apostle, an an~el as a fallen angel. II. ArosTOLIO AUTHORITY. The apostles had authority to" bind and loose," to direct and administer in the early Church. On fit occasions they exerted such authority, and none of them more firmly or wisely than Paul. But they forbore as much as possible to press mere authority even in matters of order and discipline, and thoy dislaimed any right of dominion over the faith of their fellow-Christians. The Apostle Paul in par· ticular is never found demanding attention or obedience to his teaching on the ground of his official dignity. Many signs and special miracles attended his ministry and confirmed his word; but he never posed as a worker of wonders in order to a.we the minds and compel the submission of his hearers. llis aim wli8 to manifest the truth to the consciences of men. In founding the Corinthian Church he bad "reasoned,' 11 persuaded," "testiffod " and" taught the Word of God" (see Acts xviii.). Hie owu 1  30 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [OB. 1, 1-24,