mh_parser/vol_split/44 - Acts/Chapter 14.xml

<div2 id="Acts.xv" n="xv" next="Acts.xvi" prev="Acts.xiv" progress="15.17%" title="Chapter XIV">
<h2 id="Acts.xv-p0.1">A C T S.</h2>
<h3 id="Acts.xv-p0.2">CHAP. XIV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Acts.xv-p1">We have, in this chapter, a further account of the
progress of the gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among
the Gentiles; it goes on conquering and to conquer, yet meeting
with opposition, as before, among the unbelieving Jews. Here is, I.
Their successful preaching of the gospel for some time at Iconium,
and their being driven thence by the violence of their persecutors,
both Jews and Gentiles, and forced into the neighbouring countries,
<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.1-Acts.14.7" parsed="|Acts|14|1|14|7" passage="Ac 14:1-7">ver. 1-7</scripRef>. II. Their
healing a lame man at Lystra, and the profound veneration which the
people conceived of them thereupon, which they had much ado to keep
from running into an extreme, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.8-Acts.14.18" parsed="|Acts|14|8|14|18" passage="Ac 14:8-18">ver.
8-18</scripRef>. III. The outrage of the people against Paul, at
the instigation of the Jews, the effect of which was that they
stoned him, as they thought, to death; but he was wonderfully
restored to life, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.19-Acts.14.20" parsed="|Acts|14|19|14|20" passage="Ac 14:19,20">ver. 19,
20</scripRef>. IV. The visit which Paul and Barnabas made to the
churches which they had planted, to confirm them, and put them into
order, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.21-Acts.14.23" parsed="|Acts|14|21|14|23" passage="Ac 14:21-23">ver. 21-23</scripRef>. V.
They return to Antioch, whence they were sent forth; the good they
did by the way, and the report they made to the church of Antioch
of their expedition, and, if I may so say, of the campaign they had
made, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.24-Acts.14.28" parsed="|Acts|14|24|14|28" passage="Ac 14:24-28">ver. 24-28</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Acts.xv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14" parsed="|Acts|14|0|0|0" passage="Ac 14" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Acts.xv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.1-Acts.14.7" parsed="|Acts|14|1|14|7" passage="Ac 14:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.14.1-Acts.14.7">
<h4 id="Acts.xv-p1.8">Paul at Iconium.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xv-p2">1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went
both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a
great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
  2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made
their minds evil affected against the brethren.   3 Long time
therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave
testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders
to be done by their hands.   4 But the multitude of the city
was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the
apostles.   5 And when there was an assault made both of the
Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use
<i>them</i> despitefully, and to stone them,   6 They were
ware of <i>it,</i> and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of
Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:   7 And
there they preached the gospel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p3">In these verses we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p4">I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium,
whither the apostles were forced to retire from Antioch. As the
blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church, so the
banishment of the confessors has helped to scatter that seed.
Observe, 1. How they made the first offer of the gospel <i>to the
Jews in their synagogues;</i> thither they went, not only as to a
place of meeting, but as to a place of meeting with them, to whom,
wherever they came, they were to apply themselves in the first
place. Though the Jews at Antioch had used them barbarously, yet
they did not therefore decline preaching the gospel to the Jews at
Iconium, who perhaps might be better disposed. Let not those of any
denomination be condemned in the gross, nor some suffer for others'
faults; but let us do good to those who have done evil to us.
Though <i>the blood-thirsty hate the upright, yet the just seek
their soul</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.10" parsed="|Prov|29|10|0|0" passage="Pr 29:10">Prov. xxix.
10</scripRef>), seek the salvation of it. 2. How the apostles
concurred herein. Notice is taken of this, that <i>they went both
together into the synagogue,</i> to testify their unanimity and
mutual affection, that people might say, <i>See how they love one
another,</i> and might think the better of Christianity, and that
they might strengthen one another's hands and confirm one another's
testimony, and <i>out of the mouth of two witnesses every word
might be established.</i> They did not go one one day and another
another, nor one go at the beginning and the other some time after;
but they went in both together.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p5">II. The success of their preaching there:
<i>They so spoke that a great multitude,</i> some hundreds perhaps,
if not thousands, <i>both of the Jews and also of the Greeks,</i>
that is the Gentiles, <i>believed.</i> Observe here, 1. That the
gospel was now preached to Jews and Gentiles together, and those of
each denomination that believed came together into the church. In
the close of the foregoing chapter it was preached first to the
Jews, and some of them believed, and then to the Gentiles, and some
of them believed; but here they are put together, being put upon
the same level. The Jews have not so lost their preference as to be
thrown behind, only the Gentiles are brought to stand upon even
terms with them; <i>both are reconciled to God in one body</i>
(<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.2.16" parsed="|Eph|2|16|0|0" passage="Eph 2:16">Ephes. ii. 16</scripRef>), and both
together admitted into the church without distinction. 2. There
seems to have been something remarkable in the manner of the
apostles' preaching here, which contributed to their success:
<i>They so spoke that a great multitude believed</i>—so plainly,
so convincingly, with such an evidence and <i>demonstration of the
Spirit,</i> and <i>with such power;</i> they so spoke, so warmly,
so affectionately, and with such a manifest concern for the souls
of men, that one might perceive they were not only convinced, but
filled, with the things they spoke of, and that what they spoke
came from the heart and therefore was likely to reach to the heart;
they so spoke, so earnestly and so seriously, so boldly and
courageously, that those who heard them could not but say that
<i>God was with them of a truth.</i> Yet the success was not to be
attributed to the manner of their preaching, but to the Spirit of
God, who made use of that means.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p6">III. The opposition that their preaching
met with there, and the trouble that was created them; lest they
should be puffed up with the multitude of their converts, there was
given them this thorn in the flesh. 1. Unbelieving Jews were the
first spring of their trouble here, as elsewhere (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.2" parsed="|Acts|14|2|0|0" passage="Ac 14:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): they <i>stirred up the
Gentiles.</i> The influence which the gospel had upon many of the
Gentiles, and their embracing it, as it provoked some of the Jews
to a holy jealousy and stirred them up to receive the gospel too
(<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.14" parsed="|Rom|11|14|0|0" passage="Ro 11:14">Rom. xi. 14</scripRef>), so it
provoked others of them to a wicked jealousy, and exasperated them
against the gospel. Thus as good instructions, so good examples,
which to some are a savour of life unto life, to others are a
savour of death unto death. See <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.2.15-2Cor.2.16" parsed="|2Cor|2|15|2|16" passage="2Co 2:15,16">2
Cor. ii. 15, 16</scripRef>. 2. Disaffected Gentiles, irritated by
the unbelieving Jews, were likely to be the instruments of their
trouble. The Jews, by false suggestions, which they were
continually buzzing in the ears of the Gentiles, made <i>their
minds evil affected against the brethren,</i> whom of themselves
they were inclined to think favourably of. They not only took
occasion in all companies, as it came in their way, but made it
their business to go purposely to such as they had any acquaintance
with, and said all that their wit or malice could invent to beget
in them not only a mean but an ill opinion of Christianity, telling
them how destructive it would certainly be to their pagan theology
and worship; and, for their parts, they would rather be Gentiles
than Christians. Thus they soured and embittered their spirits
against both the converters and the converted. <i>The old
serpent</i> did, by their poisonous tongues, infuse his venom
against <i>the seed of the woman</i> into the minds of these
Gentiles, and this was a <i>root of bitterness in them, bearing
gall and wormwood.</i> It is no wonder if those who are ill
affected towards good people wish ill to them, speak ill of them,
and contrive ill against them; it is all owing to ill will.
<b><i>Ekakosan,</i></b> <i>they molested</i> and vexed the minds of
the Gentiles (so some of the critics take it); they were
continually teasing them with their impertinent solicitations. The
tools of persecutors have a dog's life, set on continually.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p7">IV. Their continuance in their work there,
notwithstanding this opposition, and God's owning them in it,
<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.3" parsed="|Acts|14|3|0|0" passage="Ac 14:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. We have here,
1. The apostles working for Christ, faithfully and diligently,
according to the trust committed to them. Because the minds of
<i>the Gentiles were evil affected against them,</i> one would
think that therefore they should have withdrawn, and hastened out
of the way, or, if they had preached, should have preached
cautiously, for fear of giving further provocation to those who
were already enough enraged. No; on the contrary, therefore <i>they
abode there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord.</i> The more
they perceived the spite and rancour of the town against the new
converts, the more they were animated to go on in their work, and
the more needful they saw it to continue among them, <i>to confirm
them in the faith, and to comfort them. They spoke boldly,</i> and
were not afraid of giving offence to the unbelieving Jews. What God
said to the prophet, with reference to the unbelieving Jews in his
day, was now made good to the apostles: <i>I have made thy face
strong against their faces,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.3.7-Ezek.3.9" parsed="|Ezek|3|7|3|9" passage="Eze 3:7-9">Ezek.
iii. 7-9</scripRef>. But observe what it was that animated them:
<i>They spoke boldly in the Lord,</i> in his strength, and trusting
in him to bear them out; not depending upon any thing in
themselves. <i>They were strong in the Lord, and in the power of
his might.</i> 2. Christ working with the apostles, according to
his promise, <i>Lo, I am with you always.</i> When they went on in
his name and strength, he failed not to give testimony to the word
of his grace. Note, (1.) The gospel is a word of grace, the
assurance of God's good will to us and the means of his good work
in us. It is the word of Christ's grace, for it is in him alone
that we find favour with God. (2.) Christ himself has attested this
word of grace, who is <i>the Amen, the faithful witness;</i> he has
assured us that it is the word of God, and that we may venture our
souls upon it. As it was said in general concerning the first
preachers of the gospel that they had <i>the Lord working with
them, and confirming the word by signs following</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.20" parsed="|Mark|16|20|0|0" passage="Mk 16:20">Mark xvi. 20</scripRef>), so it is said
particularly concerning the apostles here <i>that the Lord
confirmed their testimony, in granting signs and wonders to be done
by their hands</i>—in the miracles they wrought in the kingdom of
nature—as well as the wonders done by their word, in the greater
miracles wrought on men's minds by the power of divine grace. The
Lord was with them, while they were with him, and abundance of good
was done.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p8">V. The division which this occasioned in
the city (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.4" parsed="|Acts|14|4|0|0" passage="Ac 14:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>):
<i>The multitude of the city was divided</i> into two parties, and
both active and vigorous. Among the rulers and persons of rank, and
among the common people, there were some that held with the
unbelieving Jews, and others that held with the apostles. Barnabas
is here reckoned an apostle, though not one of the twelve, nor
called in the extra-ordinary manner that Paul was, because set
apart by special designation of <i>the Holy Ghost to the service of
the Gentiles.</i> It seems, this business of the preaching of the
gospel was so universally taken notice of with concern that every
person, even of <i>the multitude of the city,</i> was either for it
or against it; none stood neuter. "Either for us or for our
adversaries, for God or Baal, for Christ or Beelzebub." 1. We may
here see the meaning of Christ's prediction that he <i>came not to
send peace upon earth, but rather division,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.12.51-Luke.12.53" parsed="|Luke|12|51|12|53" passage="Lu 12:51-53">Luke xii. 51-53</scripRef>. If all would have given
in unanimously into his measures, there would have been universal
concord; and, could men have agreed in this, there would have been
no dangerous discord nor disagreement in other things; but,
disagreeing here, the breach was wide as the sea. Yet the apostles
must not be blamed for coming to Iconium, although before they came
the city was united, and now it was divided; for it is better that
part of the city go to heaven than all to hell. 2. We may here take
the measures of our expectations; let us not think it strange if
the preaching of the gospel occasion division, nor be offended at
it; it is better to be reproached and persecuted as dividers for
swimming against the stream than yield ourselves to be carried down
the stream that leads to destruction. Let us hold with the
apostles, and not fear those that hold with the Jews.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p9">VI. The attempt made upon the apostles by
their enemies. Their evil affection against them broke out at
length into violent outrages, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.5" parsed="|Acts|14|5|0|0" passage="Ac 14:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. Observe, 1. Who the plotters were: <i>Both the
Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers.</i> The Gentiles and Jews
were at enmity with one another, and yet united against Christians,
like Herod and Pilate, Sadducees and Pharisees, against Christ; and
like <i>Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, of old,</i> against Israel. If
the church's enemies can thus unite for its destruction, shall not
its friends, laying aside all personal feuds, unite for its
preservation? 2. What the plot was. Having now got <i>the
rulers</i> on their side, they doubted not but to carry their
point, and their design was <i>to use the apostles
despitefully,</i> to expose them to disgrace, and then <i>to stone
them,</i> to put them to death; and thus they hoped to sink their
cause. They aimed to take away both their reputation and their
life, and this was all they had to lose which men could take from
them, for they had neither lands nor goods.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p10">VII. The deliverance of the apostles out of
the hands of those <i>wicked and unreasonable men,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.6-Acts.14.7" parsed="|Acts|14|6|14|7" passage="Ac 14:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>. They got away, upon
notice given them of the design against them, or the beginning of
the attempt upon them, of which they were soon aware, and they made
an honourable retreat (for it was not an inglorious flight) to
<i>Lystra and Derbe;</i> and there, 1. They found safety. Their
persecutors in Iconium were for the present satisfied that they
were thrust out of their borders, and pursued them no further. God
has shelters for his people in a storm; nay, he is, and will be,
himself their hiding place. 2. They found work, and this was what
they went for. When the door of opportunity was shut against them
at Iconium, it was opened at <i>Lystra</i> and <i>Derbe.</i> To
these cities they went, and there, and <i>in the region that lieth
round about, they preached the gospel.</i> In times of persecution
ministers may see cause to quit the spot, when yet they do not quit
the work.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Acts.xv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.8-Acts.14.18" parsed="|Acts|14|8|14|18" passage="Ac 14:8-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.14.8-Acts.14.18">
<h4 id="Acts.xv-p10.3">The Lame Man Healed at Lystra; Paul and
Barnabas at Lystra.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xv-p11">8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra,
impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who
never had walked:   9 The same heard Paul speak: who
stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be
healed,   10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy
feet. And he leaped and walked.   11 And when the people saw
what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the
speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of
men.   12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul,
Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.   13 Then the
priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and
garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the
people.   14 <i>Which</i> when the apostles, Barnabas and
Paul, heard <i>of,</i> they rent their clothes, and ran in among
the people, crying out,   15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these
things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto
you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God,
which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are
therein:   16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk
in their own ways.   17 Nevertheless he left not himself
without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven,
and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
  18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people,
that they had not done sacrifice unto them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p12">In these verses we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p13">I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at
Lystra upon a cripple that had been lame from his birth, such a one
as was miraculously cured by Peter and John, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.3.2" parsed="|Acts|3|2|0|0" passage="Ac 3:2"><i>ch.</i> iii. 2</scripRef>. That introduced the gospel
among the Jews, this among the Gentiles; both that and this were
designed to represent the impotency of all the children of men in
spiritual things: they are lame from their birth, till the grace of
God puts strength into them; for it was when we were yet <i>without
strength</i> that <i>Christ died for the ungodly,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.5.6" parsed="|Rom|5|6|0|0" passage="Ro 5:6">Rom. v. 6</scripRef>. Observe here, 1. The
deplorable case of the poor cripple (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.8" parsed="|Acts|14|8|0|0" passage="Ac 14:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): He was <i>impotent in his feet,
disabled</i> (so the word is) to such a degree that it was
impossible he should set his foot to the ground, to lay any stress
upon it. It was well known that he had been so <i>from his mother's
womb,</i> and that he <i>never had walked,</i> nor could <i>stand
up.</i> We should take occasion hence to thank God for the use of
our limbs; and those who are deprived of it may observe that their
case is not singular. 2. The expectation that was raised in him of
a cure (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.9" parsed="|Acts|14|9|0|0" passage="Ac 14:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): He
heard Paul preach, and, it is likely, was much affected with what
he heard, believed that the messengers, having their commission
thence, had a divine power going along with them, and were
therefore able to cure him of his lameness. This Paul was aware of,
by the spirit of discerning that he had, and perhaps the aspect of
his countenance did in part witness for him: <i>Paul perceived that
he had faith to be healed;</i> desired it, hoped for it, had such a
thing in his thoughts, which it does not appear that the lame man
Peter healed had, for he expected no more than an <i>alms.</i>
There <i>was not found such great faith in Israel</i> as was among
the Gentiles, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.8.10" parsed="|Matt|8|10|0|0" passage="Mt 8:10">Matt. viii.
10</scripRef>. 3. The cure wrought: <i>Paul, perceiving that he had
faith to be healed,</i> brought <i>the word and healed him,</i>
<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.107.20" parsed="|Ps|107|20|0|0" passage="Ps 107:20">Ps. cvii. 20</scripRef>. Note, God
will not disappoint the desires that are of his own kindling, nor
the hopes of his own raising. Paul spoke to him <i>with a loud
voice,</i> either because he was at some distance, or to show that
the true miracles, wrought by the power of Christ, were far unlike
the lying wonders wrought by deceivers, <i>that peeped, and
muttered, and whispered,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.8.19" parsed="|Isa|8|19|0|0" passage="Isa 8:19">Isa.
viii. 19</scripRef>. God saith, <i>I have not spoken in secret, in
a dark place of the earth,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.45.19" parsed="|Isa|45|19|0|0" passage="Isa 45:19">Isa.
xlv. 19</scripRef>. Paul spoke to him with a loud voice, that the
people about might take notice, and have their expectations raised
of the effect. It does not appear that this cripple was a beggar;
it is said (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.8" parsed="|Acts|14|8|0|0" passage="Ac 14:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>)
<i>that he sat,</i> not that he sat begging. But we may imagine how
melancholy it was to him to see other people walking about him, and
himself disabled; and therefore how welcome Paul's word was to him,
"<i>Stand upright on thy feet;</i> help thyself, and God shall help
thee; try whether thou hast strength, and thou shalt find that thou
hast." Some copies read it, <i>I say unto thee, in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ, Stand upright on thy feet.</i> It is certain
that this is implied, and very probably was expressed, by Paul, and
<i>power went along with this word;</i> for presently <i>he leaped
and walked,</i> leaped up from the place where he sat, and not only
<i>stood upright,</i> but to show that he was perfectly cured, and
that immediately, he walked to and fro before them all. Herein the
scripture was fulfilled, that when <i>the wilderness of the Gentile
world is made to blossom as the rose then shall the lame man leap
as a hart,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.1 Bible:Isa.35.6" parsed="|Isa|35|1|0|0;|Isa|35|6|0|0" passage="Isa 35:1,6">Isa. xxxv. 1,
6</scripRef>. Those that by the grace of God are cured of their
spiritual lameness must show it by leaping with a holy exultation
and walking in a holy conversation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p14">II. The impression which this cure made
upon the people: they were amazed at it, had never seen nor heard
the like, and fell into an ecstacy of wonder. Paul and Barnabas
were strangers, exiles, refugees, in their country; every thing
concurred to make them mean and despicable: yet the working of this
one miracle was enough to make them in the eyes of this people
truly great and honourable, though the multitude of Christ's
miracles could not screen him from the utmost contempt among the
Jews. We find here, 1. The people take them for gods (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.11" parsed="|Acts|14|11|0|0" passage="Ac 14:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>They lifted up
their voices</i> with an air of triumph, saying in their own
language (for it was the common people that said it), <i>in the
speech of Lycaonia,</i> which was a dialect of the Greek, <i>The
gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.</i> They imagined
that Paul and Barnabas had dropped down to them out of the clouds,
and that they were some divine powers, no less than gods, though in
the likeness of men. This notion of the thing agreed well enough
with the pagan theology, and the fabulous account they had of the
visits which their gods made to this lower world; and proud enough
they were to think that they should have a visit made to them. They
carried this notion so far here that they pretended to tell which
of their gods they were, according to the ideas their poets had
given them of the gods (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.12" parsed="|Acts|14|12|0|0" passage="Ac 14:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>): <i>They called Barnabas Jupiter;</i> for, if they
will have him to be a god, it is as easy to make him the prince of
their gods as not. It is probable that he was the senior, and the
more portly comely man, that had something of majesty in his
countenance. And <i>Paul they called Mercury,</i> who was the
messenger of the gods, that was sent on their errands; for Paul,
though he had not the appearance that Barnabas had, was <i>the
chief speaker,</i> and had a greater command of language, and
perhaps appeared to have something mercurial in his temper and
genius. <i>Jupiter</i> used to take <i>Mercury</i> along with him,
they said, and, if he make a visit to their city, they will suppose
he does so now. 2. The priest thereupon prepares <i>to do sacrifice
to them,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.13" parsed="|Acts|14|13|0|0" passage="Ac 14:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.
The temple of Jupiter was, it seems, before the gate of their city,
as its protector and guardian; and the priest of that idol and
temple, hearing the people cry out thus, took the hint presently,
and thought it was time for him to bestir himself to do his duty:
many a costly sacrifice he had offered to the image of Jupiter, but
if Jupiter be among them <i>himself—in propria persona,</i> it
concerns him to do him the utmost honours imaginable; and the
people are ready to join with him in it. See how easily vain minds
are carried away with a popular outcry. If the crowd give a shout,
Here is Jupiter, the priest of Jupiter takes the first hint, and
offers his service immediately. When Christ, the Son of God, came
down, and appeared in the likeness of men, and did many, very many
miracles, yet they were so far from doing sacrifice to him that
they made him a sacrifice to their pride and malice: <i>He was in
the world, and the world knew him not; he came to his own, and his
own received him not;</i> but Paul and Barnabas, upon the working
of one miracle, are immediately deified. The same power of the god
of this world which prejudices the carnal mind against truth makes
errors and mistakes to find easy admission; and both ways his turn
is served. They <i>brought oxen,</i> to be sacrificed <i>to them,
and garlands,</i> with which to crown the sacrifices. These
garlands were made up of flowers and ribbons; and they gilded the
horns of the oxen they sacrificed.</p>
<verse id="Acts.xv-p14.4">
<l class="t1" id="Acts.xv-p14.5">Victimæ ad supplicium saginantur,</l>
<l class="t1" id="Acts.xv-p14.6">hostiæ ad pœnam corenantur.</l>
<l class="t1" id="Acts.xv-p14.7">So beasts for sacrifice do feed,</l>
<l class="t1" id="Acts.xv-p14.8">First to be crown'd, and then to bleed.        
         </l>
</verse>
<attr id="Acts.xv-p14.9">So Octavius in Minutius Felix.</attr>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p15">III. Paul and Barnabas protest against this
undue respect paid them, and with much ado prevent it. Many of the
heathen emperors called themselves <i>gods,</i> and took a pride in
having divine honours paid them: but Christ's ministers, though
real benefactors to mankind, while these tyrants only pretended to
be so, refused those honours when they were so tendered. Whose
successor therefore he is who <i>sits in the temple of God,</i> and
shows <i>that he is god</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.2.4" parsed="|2Thess|2|4|0|0" passage="2Th 2:4">2 Thess.
ii. 4</scripRef>), and who is adored as <i>our lord god,</i> the
pope, it is easy to say. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p16">1. The holy indignation which Paul and
Barnabas conceived at this: <i>When they heard this, they rent
their clothes.</i> We do not find that they rent their clothes when
the people vilified them, and spoke of stoning them; they could
bear this without disturbance: but when they deified them, and
spoke of worshipping them, they could not bear it, but rent their
clothes, as being more concerned for God's honour than their
own.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p17">2. The pains they took to prevent it. They
did not connive at it, nor say, "If people will be deceived, let
them be deceived," much less suggest to themselves and one another
that it might contribute both to the safety of their persons and
the success of their ministry if they suffered the people to
continue in this mistake, and so they might make a good hand of an
ill thing. No, God's truth needs not the service of man's lie.
Christ had put honour enough upon them in making them apostles,
they needed not assume either the honour of princes or the honour
of gods; they appeared with much more magnificent titles when they
were called <i>the ambassadors of Christ,</i> and <i>the stewards
of the mysteries of God,</i> than when they were called Jupiter and
Mercury. Let us see how they prevented it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p18">(1.) <i>They ran in among the people,</i>
as soon as they heard of it, and would not so much as stay awhile
to see what the people would do. Their running in, like servants,
among the people, showed that they were far from looking upon
themselves as gods, or taking state upon them; they did not stand
still, expecting honours to be done them, but plainly declined them
by thrusting themselves into the crowd. They ran in, as men in
earnest, with as much concern as Aaron <i>ran in between the living
and the dead,</i> when the plague was begun.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p19">(2.) They reasoned with them, <i>crying
out,</i> that all might hear, "<i>Sirs, why do you these
things?</i>" Why do you go about to make gods of us? It is the most
absurd thing you can do; for,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p20">[1.] "Our nature will not admit it: <i>We
also are men of like passions with you</i>"
<b><i>homoiopatheis</i></b>: it is the same word that is used
concerning Elias, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Jas.5.18" parsed="|Jas|5|18|0|0" passage="Jam 5:18">Jam. v.
18</scripRef>, where we render it, <i>subject to like passions as
we are.</i> "We are men, and therefore you wrong yourselves if you
expect that from us which is to be had in God only; and you wrong
God if you give that honour to us, or to any other man, which is to
be given to God only. We not only have such bodies as you see, but
<i>are of like passions with you,</i> have <i>hearts fashioned like
as other men</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.33.15" parsed="|Ps|33|15|0|0" passage="Ps 33:15">Ps. xxxiii.
15</scripRef>); for, <i>as in water face answers to face, so doth
the heart of man to man,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.27.19" parsed="|Prov|27|19|0|0" passage="Pr 27:19">Prov.
xxvii. 19</scripRef>. We are naturally subject to the same
infirmities of the human nature, and liable to the same calamities
of the human life; not only men, but sinful men and suffering men,
and therefore will not be deified."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p21">[2.] "Our doctrine is directly against it.
Must we be added to the number of your gods whose business it is to
abolish the gods you have? <i>We preach unto you that you should
turn from these vanities unto the living God.</i> If we should
suffer this, we should confirm you in that which it is our business
to convert you from:" and so they take this occasion to show them
how just and necessary it was that they should <i>turn to God from
idols,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.9" parsed="|1Thess|1|9|0|0" passage="1Th 1:9">1 Thess. i. 9</scripRef>.
When they preached to the Jews, who hated idolatry, they had
nothing to do but to preach the grace of God in Christ, and needed
not, as the prophets in dealing with their fathers, to preach
against idolatry: but, when they had to do with the Gentiles, they
must rectify their mistakes in natural religion, and bring them off
from the gross corruptions of that. See here what they preached to
the Gentiles.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p22"><i>First,</i> That the gods which they and
their fathers worshipped, and all the ceremonies of their worship
of them were <i>vanities,</i> idle things, unreasonable,
unprofitable, which no rational account could be given of, nor any
real advantage gained from. Idols are often called vanities in the
Old Testament, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.21 Bible:1Kgs.10.13 Bible:Jer.14.22" parsed="|Deut|32|21|0|0;|1Kgs|10|13|0|0;|Jer|14|22|0|0" passage="De 32:21,1Ki 10:13,Jer 14:22">Deut. xxxii. 21; 1 Kings x. 13; Jer.
xiv. 22</scripRef>. <i>An idol is nothing in the world</i>
(<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.8.4" parsed="|1Cor|8|4|0|0" passage="1Co 8:4">1 Cor. viii. 4</scripRef>): it is not
at all what it is pretended to be, it is a cheat, it is a
counterfeit; it deceives those that trust to it and expect relief
from it. Therefore <i>turn from these vanities,</i> turn from them
with abhorrence and detestation, as Ephraim did (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Hos.14.8" parsed="|Hos|14|8|0|0" passage="Ho 14:8">Hos. xiv. 8</scripRef>): "<i>What have I to do any more
with idols?</i> I will never again be thus imposed upon."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p23"><i>Secondly,</i> That the God to whom they
would have them <i>turn</i> is <i>the living God.</i> They had
hitherto worshipped dead images, that were utterly unable to help
them (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.64.9" parsed="|Isa|64|9|0|0" passage="Isa 64:9">Isa. lxiv. 9</scripRef>), or (as
they now attempted) dying men, that would soon be disabled to help
them; but now they are persuaded to worship a living God, who has
life in himself, and life for us, and lives for evermore.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p24"><i>Thirdly,</i> That this God is the
creator of the world, the fountain of all being and power: "He
<i>made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things therein,</i>
even those things which you worship as gods, so that he <i>is the
God</i> of your gods. You worship gods which you made, the
creatures of your own fancy, and the work of your own hands. We
call you to worship the true God, and cheat not yourselves with
pretenders; worship the Sovereign Lord of all, and disparage not
yourselves in bowing down to his creatures and subjects."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p25"><i>Fourthly,</i> That the world owed it to
his patience that he had not destroyed them long ere this for their
idolatry (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.16" parsed="|Acts|14|16|0|0" passage="Ac 14:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>):
<i>In times past,</i> for many ages, unto this day, he <i>suffered
all nations to walk in their own ways.</i> These idolaters, that
were called from the service of other gods, might think, "Have we
not served these gods hitherto, and our fathers before us, time out
of mind; and why may we not as well go on to serve them
still?"—No, your serving them was a trial of God's patience, and
it was a miracle of mercy that you were not cut off for it. But,
though he did not destroy you for it while you were in ignorance,
and knew no better (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.17.30" parsed="|Acts|17|30|0|0" passage="Ac 17:30"><i>ch.</i> xvii.
30</scripRef>) yet now that he has sent his gospel into the world,
and by it has made a clear discovery of himself and his will to
<i>all nations,</i> and not to the Jews only, if you still continue
in your idolatry he will not bear with you as he has done. All the
nations that had not the benefit of divine revelation, that is, all
but the Jews, <i>he suffered to walk in their own ways,</i> for
they had nothing to check them, or control them, but their own
consciences, their own thoughts (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.15" parsed="|Rom|2|15|0|0" passage="Ro 2:15">Rom.
ii. 15</scripRef>), no scriptures, no prophets; and then they were
the more excusable if they mistook their way: but now that God has
sent a revelation into the world which is to be published to <i>all
nations</i> the case is altered. We may understand it as a judgment
upon all nations that <i>God suffered them to walk in their own
ways, gave them up to their own hearts' lusts;</i> but now the time
is come when <i>the veil of the covering spread over all nations
should be taken off</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.25.7" parsed="|Isa|25|7|0|0" passage="Isa 25:7">Isa. xxv.
7</scripRef>), and now you will no longer be excused in these
vanities, but must turn from them. Note, 1. God's patience with us
hitherto should <i>lead us to repentance,</i> and not encourage us
to presume upon the continuance of it, while we continue to provoke
him. 2. Our having done ill while we were in ignorance will not
bear us out in doing ill when we are better taught.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p26"><i>Fifthly,</i> That even when they were
not under the direction and correction of the word of God, yet they
might have known, and should have known, to do better by the works
of God, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.17" parsed="|Acts|14|17|0|0" passage="Ac 14:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>.
Though the Gentiles had not the <i>statutes and judgments</i> that
the Jews had to witness for God against all pretenders, no tables
of testimony or tabernacle of testimony, yet <i>he left not himself
without witness;</i> besides <i>the witness</i> for God within them
(the dictates of natural conscience), they had <i>witnesses</i> for
God round about them—the bounty of common providence. Their having
no scriptures did in part excuse them, and therefore God did not
destroy them for their idolatry, as he did the Jewish nation. This
however did not wholly excuse them, but that notwithstanding this
they were highly criminal and deeply guilty before God; for there
were other <i>witnesses</i> for God, sufficient to inform them that
he and he only is to be worshipped, and that to him they owed all
their services from whom they received all their comforts, and
therefore that they were guilty of the highest injustice and
ingratitude imaginable, in alienating them from him. God, having
<i>not left himself without witness,</i> has not left us without a
guide, and so has left us without excuse; for whatever is a witness
for God is a witness against us, if we give that glory to any other
which is due to him only. 1. The bounties of common providence
witness to us that there is a God, for they are all dispensed
wisely and with design. The <i>rain and fruitful seasons</i> could
not come by chance, nor <i>are there any of the vanities of the
heathen that can give rain,</i> neither <i>can the heavens</i> of
themselves <i>give showers,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.14.22" parsed="|Jer|14|22|0|0" passage="Jer 14:22">Jer.
xiv. 22</scripRef>. All the powers of nature witness to us a
sovereign power in the God of nature, from whom they are derived,
and on whom they depend. It is not the heaven that gives us rain,
but God that gives us rain from heaven, he is the Father of the
rain, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.28" parsed="|Job|38|28|0|0" passage="Job 38:28">Job xxxviii. 28</scripRef>. 2.
The benefits we have by these bounties witness to us that we ought
to make our acknowledgments not to the creatures who are made
serviceable to us, but to the Creator who makes them so. <i>He left
not himself without witness, in that he did good.</i> God seems to
reckon the instances of his <i>goodness</i> to be more pregnant,
cogent proofs of his title to our homage and adoration than the
evidences of his <i>greatness;</i> for his goodness is his glory.
<i>The earth is full of his goodness; his tender mercies are over
all his works;</i> and therefore <i>they praise him,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.145.9-Ps.145.10" parsed="|Ps|145|9|145|10" passage="Ps 145:9,10">Ps. cxlv. 9, 10</scripRef>. God does us good,
in preserving to us his air to breathe in, his ground to go upon,
the light of his sun to see by; but, because the most sensible
instance of the goodness of Providence to each of us in particular
is that of the daily provision made by it of meat and drink for us,
the apostle chooses to insist upon that, and shows how God does us
good, (1.) In preparing it for us, and that by a long train of
causes which depend upon him as the first cause: <i>The heavens
hear the earth; the earth hears the corn, and wine, and oil; and
they hear Jezreel.</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.5" osisRef="Bible:Hos.2.21-Hos.2.22" parsed="|Hos|2|21|2|22" passage="Ho 2:21,22">Hos. ii. 21,
22</scripRef>. He does us good in giving us rain from heaven—rain
for us to drink, for if there were no rain there would be no
springs of water and we should soon die for thirst—rain for our
land to drink, for our meat as well as drink we have from the rain;
in giving us this, he <i>gives us fruitful seasons. If the heavens
be as iron, the earth</i> will soon <i>be as brass,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.26.19" parsed="|Lev|26|19|0|0" passage="Le 26:19">Lev. xxvi. 19</scripRef>. <i>This is the river
of God</i> which <i>greatly enriches the earth,</i> and by <i>it
God prepares us corn,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.65.9-Ps.65.13" parsed="|Ps|65|9|65|13" passage="Ps 65:9-13">Ps. lxv.
9-13</scripRef>. Of all the common operations of providence, the
heathen chose to form their notion of the supreme God by that which
bespeaks terror, and is proper to strike an awe of him upon us, and
this was <i>the thunder;</i> and therefore they called Jupiter
<i>the thunderer,</i> and represented him with a thunderbolt in his
hand; and it appears by <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.29.3" parsed="|Ps|29|3|0|0" passage="Ps 29:3">Ps. xxix.
3</scripRef> that this ought not to be overlooked; but the apostle
here, to engage us to worship God, sets before us his beneficence,
that we may have good thoughts of him in every thing wherein we
have to do with him—may love him and delight in him, as one that
does good, does good to us, does good to all, in giving <i>rain
from heaven and fruitful seasons;</i> and if at any time rain be
withheld, or the seasons be unfruitful, we may thank ourselves; it
is our sin <i>that turns away these good things from us</i> which
were coming to us, and stops the current of God's favours. (2.) In
giving us the comforts of it. It is he <i>that fills our hearts
with food and gladness.</i> God <i>is rich in mercy to all</i>
(<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.9" osisRef="Bible:Rom.10.12" parsed="|Rom|10|12|0|0" passage="Ro 10:12">Rom. x. 12</scripRef>): <i>he gives
us richly all things to enjoy</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.10" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.6.17" parsed="|1Tim|6|17|0|0" passage="1Ti 6:17">1
Tim. vi. 17</scripRef>), is not only a benefactor, but a bountiful
one, not only <i>gives us the things we need,</i> but <i>gives us
to enjoy them</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.11" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.2.24" parsed="|Eccl|2|24|0|0" passage="Ec 2:24">Eccl. ii.
24</scripRef>): <i>He fills our hearts with food,</i> that is, he
gives us food to our hearts' content, or according to our hearts'
desire; not merely for necessity, but plenty, dainty, and variety.
Even those nations that had lost the knowledge of him, and
worshipped other gods, yet he <i>filled their houses, filled their
mouths, filled their bellies</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.12" osisRef="Bible:Job.22.18 Bible:Ps.17.14" parsed="|Job|22|18|0|0;|Ps|17|14|0|0" passage="Job 22:18,Ps 17:14">Job xxii. 18; Ps. xvii. 14</scripRef>) <i>with
good things.</i> The Gentiles that <i>lived without God in the
world,</i> yet lived upon God, which Christ urges as a reason why
we should <i>do good to those that hate us,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.13" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.44-Matt.5.45" parsed="|Matt|5|44|5|45" passage="Mt 5:44,45">Matt. v. 44, 45</scripRef>. Those heathen had <i>their
hearts filled with food;</i> this was their felicity and
satisfaction, they desired no more; but <i>these things will not
fill the soul</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.14" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.7.19" parsed="|Ezek|7|19|0|0" passage="Eze 7:19">Ezek. vii.
19</scripRef>), nor will those that know how to value their own
souls be satisfied with them; but the apostles put themselves in as
sharers in the divine beneficence. We must all own that God fills
our hearts with food and gladness; not only <i>food,</i> that we
may live, but <i>gladness,</i> that we may live cheerfully; to him
we owe it that we do not <i>all our days eat in sorrow.</i> Note,
We must thank God, not only for our food, but for our
gladness—that he gives us leave to be cheerful, cause to be
cheerful, and hearts to be cheerful. And, if <i>our hearts be
filled with food and gladness,</i> they ought to be filled with
love and thankfulness, and enlarged in duty and obedience,
<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p26.15" osisRef="Bible:Deut.8.10 Bible:Deut.28.47" parsed="|Deut|8|10|0|0;|Deut|28|47|0|0" passage="De 8:10,28:47">Deut. viii. 10; xxviii.
47</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p27"><i>Lastly,</i> The success of this
prohibition which the apostles gave to <i>the people</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.18" parsed="|Acts|14|18|0|0" passage="Ac 14:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): By <i>these
sayings,</i> with much ado, they <i>restrained the people from
doing sacrifice to them,</i> so strongly were these idolaters set
upon their idolatry. It was not enough for the apostles to refuse
to be deified (this would be construed only a pang of modesty), but
they resented it, they showed the people the evil of it, and all
little enough, for they could <i>scarcely</i> restrain them from
it, and some of them were ready to blame the priest, that he did
not go on with his business notwithstanding. We may see here what
gave rise to the pagan idolatry; it was terminating those regards
in the instruments of our comfort which should have passed through
them to the Author. Paul and Barnabas had cured a cripple, and
therefore the people deified them, instead of glorifying God for
giving them such power, which should make us very cautious that we
do not give that honour to another, or take it to ourselves, which
is due to God only.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Acts.xv-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.19-Acts.14.28" parsed="|Acts|14|19|14|28" passage="Ac 14:19-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.14.19-Acts.14.28">
<h4 id="Acts.xv-p27.3">Paul Stoned at Lystra; The Disciples
Exhorted and Encouraged; Paul and Barnabas Ordain
Elders.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xv-p28">19 And there came thither <i>certain</i> Jews
from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having
stoned Paul, drew <i>him</i> out of the city, supposing he had been
dead.   20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he
rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with
Barnabas to Derbe.   21 And when they had preached the gospel
to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra,
and <i>to</i> Iconium, and Antioch,   22 Confirming the souls
of the disciples, <i>and</i> exhorting them to continue in the
faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the
kingdom of God.   23 And when they had ordained them elders in
every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to
the Lord, on whom they believed.   24 And after they had
passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.   25 And
when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into
Attalia:   26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they
had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they
fulfilled.   27 And when they were come, and had gathered the
church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them,
and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.  
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p29">We have here a further account of the
services and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p30">I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead,
but miraculously came to himself again, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.19-Acts.14.20" parsed="|Acts|14|19|14|20" passage="Ac 14:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19, 20</scripRef>. They fell upon Paul
rather than Barnabas, because Paul, being the chief speaker, galled
and vexed them more than Barnabas did. Now observe here, 1. How the
people were incensed against Paul; not by any injury they pretended
he had done them (if they took it for an affront that he would not
let them misplace divine honours upon him, when they considered
themselves they would easily forgive him that wrong), but <i>there
came certain Jews from Antioch,</i> hearing, it is likely, and
vexed to hear, what respect was shown to Paul and Barnabas at
Lystra; and they incensed the people against them, as factious,
seditious, dangerous persons, not fit to be harboured. See how
restless the rage of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ;
they could not bear that it should have footing any where. 2. To
what degree they were incensed by these barbarous Jews: they were
irritated to such a degree that the mob rose and <i>stoned
Paul,</i> not by a judicial sentence, but in a popular tumult; they
threw stones at him, with which they knocked him down, and then
<i>drew him out of the city,</i> as one not fit to live in it, or
drew him out upon a sledge or in a cart, to bury him, <i>supposing
he had been dead.</i> So strong is the bias of the corrupt and
carnal heart to that which is evil, even in contrary extremes,
that, as it is with great difficulty that men are restrained from
evil on one side, so it is with great ease that they are persuaded
to evil on the other side. See how fickle and mutable the minds of
carnal worldly people are, that do not know and consider things.
Those that but the other day would have treated the apostles as
more than men now treat them as worse than brutes, as the worst of
men, as the worst of male-factors. To-day <i>Hosanna,</i> to-morrow
<i>Crucify;</i> to-day sacrificed to, to-morrow sacrificed. We have
an instance of a change the other way, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.28.1-Acts.28.16" parsed="|Acts|28|1|28|16" passage="Ac 28:1-16"><i>ch.</i> xxviii</scripRef>. <i>This man is a
murderer,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p30.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.4" parsed="|Acts|14|4|0|0" passage="Ac 14:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>;
no doubt <i>he is a god,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p30.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.6" parsed="|Acts|14|6|0|0" passage="Ac 14:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. Popular breath turns like the wind. If Paul would
have been Mercury, he might have been enthroned, nay, he might have
been enshrined; but, if he will be a faithful minister of Christ,
he shall be stoned, and thrown out of the city. Thus those who
easily submit to strong delusions hate to receive the truth in the
love of it. 3. How he was delivered by the power of God: When he
was <i>drawn out of the city, the disciples stood round about
him,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p30.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.20" parsed="|Acts|14|20|0|0" passage="Ac 14:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. It
seems there were some here at Lystra that became disciples, that
found the mean between deifying the apostles and rejecting them;
and even these new converts had courage to own Paul when he was
thus run down, though they had reason enough to fear that the same
that stoned him would stone them for owning him. They stood round
about him, as a guard to him against the further outrage of the
people—stood about him to see whether he were alive or dead; and
all of a sudden <i>he rose up.</i> Though he was not dead, yet he
was ill crushed and bruised, no doubt, and fainted away; he was in
a <i>deliquium,</i> so that it was not without a miracle that he
came so soon to himself, and was so well as to be able to go into
the city. Note, God's faithful servants, though they may be brought
within a step of death, and may be looked upon as dead both by
friends and enemies, shall not die as long as he has work for them
to do. They <i>are cast down, but not destroyed,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p30.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.9" parsed="|2Cor|4|9|0|0" passage="2Co 4:9">2 Cor. iv. 9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p31">II. How they went on with their work,
notwithstanding the opposition they met with. All the stones they
threw at Paul could not beat him off from his work: They <i>drew
him out of the city</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.19" parsed="|Acts|14|19|0|0" passage="Ac 14:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>), but, as one that set them at defiance, he <i>came
into the city</i> again, to show that he did not fear them;
<i>none</i> even <i>of these things move him.</i> However, their
being persecuted here is a known indication to them to seek for
opportunities of usefulness elsewhere, and therefore for the
present they quit Lystra.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p32">1. They went to break up and sow fresh
ground at <i>Derbe.</i> Thither the next day <i>Paul and Barnabas
departed,</i> a city not far off; there they preached the gospel,
there they <i>taught many,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.21" parsed="|Acts|14|21|0|0" passage="Ac 14:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. And it should seem that Timothy
was of that city, and was one of the disciples that now attended
Paul, had met him at Antioch and accompanied him in all this
circuit; for, with reference to this story, Paul tells him how
fully <i>he had known the afflictions he endured at Antioch,
Iconium, and Lystra,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.3.10-2Tim.3.11" parsed="|2Tim|3|10|3|11" passage="2Ti 3:10,11">2 Tim.
iii. 10, 11</scripRef>. Nothing is recorded that happened at
Derbe.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p33">2. They returned, and went over their work
again, watering what they had sown; and, having staid as long as
they thought fit at Derbe, they came back to Lystra, to Iconium,
and Antioch, the cities where they had preached, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.21" parsed="|Acts|14|21|0|0" passage="Ac 14:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Now, as we have had a very
instructive account of the methods they took in laying the
foundation, and beginning the good work, so here we have the like
of their building upon that foundation, and carrying on that good
work. Let us see what they did,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p34">(1.) They <i>confirmed the souls of the
disciples;</i> that is, they inculcated that upon them which was
proper to confirm them, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.22" parsed="|Acts|14|22|0|0" passage="Ac 14:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. Young converts are apt to waver, and a little thing
shocks them. Their old acquaintances beg they will not leave them.
Those that they look upon to be wiser than themselves set before
them the absurdity, indecency, and danger, of a change. They were
allured, by the prospect of preferment, to stick to the traditions
of their fathers; they are frightened with the danger of swimming
against the stream. All this tempts them to think of making a
retreat in time; but the apostles come and tell them that <i>this
is the true grace of God wherein they stand,</i> and therefore they
must stand to it that there is no danger like that of losing their
part in Christ, no advantage like that of keeping their hold of
him; that, whatever their trials may be, they shall have strength
from Christ to pass through them; and, whatever their losses may
be, they shall be abundantly recompensed. And this <i>confirms the
souls of the disciples;</i> it fortifies their pious resolutions,
in the strength of Christ, to adhere to Christ whatever it may cost
them. Note, [1.] Those that are converted need to be confirmed;
those that are planted need to be rooted. Ministers' work is to
establish saints as well as to awaken sinners. <i>Non minor est
virtus quam quoerere parta tueri—To retain is sometimes as
difficult as to acquire.</i> Those that were instructed in the
truth must know the certainty of the things in which they have been
instructed; and those that are resolved must be fixed in their
resolutions. [2.] True confirmation is confirmation of the soul; it
is not binding the body by severe penalties on apostates, but
binding the soul. The best ministers can do this only by pressing
those things which are proper to bind the soul; it is the grace of
God, and nothing less, that can effectually <i>confirm the souls of
the disciples,</i> and prevent their apostasy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p35">(2.) <i>They exhorted them to continue in
the faith;</i> or, as it may be read, <i>they encouraged them.</i>
They told them it was both their duty and interest to persevere; to
abide in the belief of Christ's being the Son of God, and the
Saviour of the world. Note, Those that are in the faith are
concerned to <i>continue in the faith,</i> notwithstanding all the
temptations they may be under to desert it, from the smiles or
frowns of this world. And it is requisite that they should often be
exhorted to do so. Those that are continually surrounded with
temptations to apostasy have need to be continually attended with
pressing exhortations to perseverance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p36">(3.) That which they insisted most upon was
<i>that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of
God.</i> Not only <i>they</i> must, but <i>we</i> must; it must be
counted upon that all who will go to heaven must expect tribulation
and persecution in their way thither. But is this the way to
<i>confirm the souls of the disciples,</i> and to engage them to
<i>continue in the faith?</i> One would think it would rather shock
them, and make them weary. No, as the matter is fairly stated and
taken entire, it will help to confirm them, and fix them for
Christ. It is true they will meet with tribulation, with much
tribulation; that is the worst of it: but then, [1.] It is so
appointed. They must undergo it, there is no remedy, the matter is
already fixed, and cannot be altered. He that has the sovereign
disposal of us has determined it to be our lot that all that
<i>will live godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution;</i>
and he that has the sovereign command over us has determined this
to be our duty, that all that will be Christ's disciples must
<i>take up their cross.</i> When we gave up our names to Jesus
Christ it was what we agreed to; when we sat down and counted the
cost, if we reckoned aright, it was what we counted upon; so that
if <i>tribulation and persecution arise because of the word</i> it
is but what we had notice of before, it must be so: <i>he
performeth the thing that is appointed for us.</i> The matter is
fixed unalterably; and <i>shall the rock be</i> for us <i>removed
out of its place?</i> [2.] It is the lot of the leaders in Christ's
army, as well as of the soldiers. It is not only <i>you,</i> but
<i>we,</i> that (if it be thought a hardship) are subject to it;
therefore, as your own sufferings must not be a stumbling-block to
you, so neither must ours; see <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.3.3" parsed="|1Thess|3|3|0|0" passage="1Th 3:3">1 Thess.
iii. 3</scripRef>. <i>Let none be moved by our afflictions, for you
yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.</i> As Christ did
not put the apostles upon any harder service than what he underwent
before them, so neither did the apostles put the ordinary
Christians. [3.] It is true we must count upon <i>much
tribulation,</i> but this is encouraging, that we shall get through
it; we shall not be lost and perish in it. It is a Red Sea, but the
Lord has opened a way through it, for <i>the redeemed of the Lord
to pass over.</i> We must go down to trouble, but we shall come up
again. [4.] We shall not only get through it, but get through it
<i>into the kingdom of God;</i> and the joy and glory of the end
will make abundant amends for all the difficulties and hardships we
may meet with in the way. It is true <i>we must go by the
cross,</i> but it is as true that if we keep in the way, and do not
turn aside nor turn back, we shall <i>go to the crown,</i> and the
believing prospect of this will make the tribulation easy and
pleasant.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p37">(4.) <i>They ordained them elders,</i> or
presbyters, <i>in every church.</i> Now at this second visit they
settled them in some order, formed them into religious societies
under the guidance of a settled ministry, and settled that
distinction between those that are taught in the word and those
that teach. [1.] Every church had its governors or presidents,
whose office it was to pray with the members of the church, and to
preach to them in their solemn assemblies, to administer all gospel
ordinances to them, and to take the oversight of them, <i>to
instruct the ignorant, warn the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded,
and convince gainsayers.</i> It is requisite that every particular
church should have one or more such to preside in it. [2.] Those
governors were then elders, that had in their qualification the
wisdom and gravity of seniors, and had in their commission the
authority and command of seniors: not to make new laws (this is the
prerogative of the Prince, the great Lawgiver; the government of
the church is an absolute monarchy, and the legislative power
entirely in Christ), but to see to the observance and execution of
the laws Christ has made; and so far they are to be obeyed and
submitted to. [3.] These elders were <i>ordained.</i> The
qualifications of such as were proposed or proposed themselves
(whether the apostles or the people put them up) were judged of by
the apostles, as most fit to judge; and they, having <i>devoted</i>
themselves, were solemnly set <i>apart</i> to the work of the
ministry, and bound to it. [4.] These elders were ordained to them,
to the disciples, to their service, for their good. Those that are
in the faith have need to be built up in it, and have need of the
elders' help therein—the <i>pastors and teachers,</i> who are
<i>to edify the body of Christ.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p38">(5.) <i>By prayer</i> joined with
<i>fasting</i> they <i>commended them to the Lord,</i> to the Lord
Jesus, <i>on whom they believed.</i> Note, [1.] Even when persons
are brought to believe, and that sincerely, yet ministers' care
concerning them is not over; there is need of watching over them
still, instructing and admonishing them still; there is still that
lacking in their faith which needs to be perfected. [2.] The
ministers that take most care of those that believe must after all
commend them to the Lord, and put them under the protection and
guidance of his grace: <i>Lord, keep them through thine own
name.</i> To his custody they must commit themselves, and their
ministers must commit them. [3.] It is by prayer that they must be
commended to the Lord. Christ, in his prayer (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:John.17.1-John.17.26" parsed="|John|17|1|17|26" passage="Joh 17:1-26">John xvii.</scripRef>), commended his disciples to
his Father: <i>Thine they were, and thou gavest them to me. Father,
keep them.</i> [4.] It is a great encouragement to us, in
commending the disciples to the Lord, that we can say, "It is he in
whom they believed; we commit to him those who have committed
themselves to him, and who know they have <i>believed in one who is
able to keep what they</i> and we have <i>committed to him
against</i> that day," <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p38.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.12" parsed="|2Tim|1|12|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:12">2 Tim. i.
12</scripRef>. [5.] It is good to join fasting with prayer, in
token of our humiliation for sin, and in order to add vigour to our
prayers. [6.] When we are parting with our friends, the best
farewell is to commend them to the Lord, and to leave them with
him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p39">3. They went on preaching the gospel in
other places where they had been, but, as it should seem had not
made so many converts as that now at their return they could form
them into churches; therefore thither they came to pursue and carry
on conversion-work. From Antioch they <i>passed through
Pisidia,</i> the province in which that Antioch stood; thence they
came into the province of <i>Pamphylia,</i> the head-city of which
was <i>Perga,</i> where they had been before (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.13.13" parsed="|Acts|13|13|0|0" passage="Ac 13:13"><i>ch.</i> xiii. 13</scripRef>), and came thither again
to <i>preach the word</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.25" parsed="|Acts|14|25|0|0" passage="Ac 14:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>), making a second offer, to see if they were now
better disposed than they were before to receive the gospel. What
success they had there we are not told, but that thence they
<i>went down to Attalia,</i> a city of Pamphylia, on the sea-coast.
They staid not long at a place, but wherever they came endeavoured
to lay a foundation which might afterwards be built upon, and to
sow the seeds which would in time produce a great increase. Now
Christ's parables were explained, in which he compared the kingdom
of heaven to a little leaven, which in time leavened the whole
lump—to a grain of mustard-seed, which, though very inconsiderable
at first, grew to a great tree—and to the seed which a man sowed
in his ground, and it sprung up he knew not how.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p40">III. How they at length came back to
Antioch in Syria, whence they had been sent forth upon this
expedition. From Attalia they came by sea to Antioch, <scripRef id="Acts.xv-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.26" parsed="|Acts|14|26|0|0" passage="Ac 14:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. And we are here
told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p41">1. Why they came thither: because <i>thence
they had been recommended to the grace of God,</i> and such a value
did they put upon a solemn recommendation to the grace of God,
though they had themselves a great interest in heaven, that they
never thought they could show respect enough to those who had so
recommended them. The brethren having recommended them to the grace
of God, for the work <i>which they fulfilled,</i> now that they had
fulfilled it they thought they owed them an account of it, that
they might help them by their praises, as they had been helped by
their prayers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p42">2. What account they gave them of their
negociation (<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.27" parsed="|Acts|14|27|0|0" passage="Ac 14:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>):
They <i>gathered the church together.</i> It is probable that there
were more Christians at Antioch than ordinarily met, or could meet,
in one place, but on this occasion they called together the
<i>leading men</i> of them; as the heads of the tribes are often
called the <i>congregation</i> of Israel, so the ministers and
principal members of the church at Antioch are called the
<i>church.</i> Or perhaps as many of the people as the place would
hold came together on this occasion. Or some met at one time, or in
one place, and others at another. But when they had called them
together, they gave them an account of two things—(1.) Of the
tokens they had had of the divine presence with them in their
labours: <i>They rehearsed all that God had done with them.</i>
They did not tell what <i>they</i> had done (this would have
savoured of vain-glory), but what God had done with them and by
them. Note, The praise of all the little good we do at any time
must be ascribed to God; for it is he that not only worketh in us
both to will and to do, but then worketh with us to make what we do
successful. God's grace can do any thing without ministers'
preaching; but ministers' preaching, even Paul's, can do nothing
without God's grace; and the operations of that grace must be
acknowledged in the efficacy of the word. (2.) Of the fruit of
their labours among the heathen. They told how <i>God had opened
the door of faith unto the Gentiles;</i> had not only ordered them
to be invited to the gospel feast, but had inclined the hearts of
many of them to accept the invitation. Note, [1.] There is no
entering into the kingdom of Christ but by the door of faith; we
must firmly believe in Christ, or we have no part in him. [2.] It
is God that opens the door of faith, that opens to us the truths we
are to believe, opens our hearts to receive them, and makes this a
wide door, and an effectual, into the church of Christ. [3.] We
have reason to be thankful that God has <i>opened the door of faith
to the Gentiles,</i> has both sent them his gospel, which is
<i>made known to all nations for the obedience of faith</i>
(<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p42.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.16.26" parsed="|Rom|16|26|0|0" passage="Ro 16:26">Rom. xvi. 26</scripRef>), and has
also given them hearts to entertain the gospel. Thus the gospel was
spread, and it shone more and more, and none was able to shut this
door which God had opened; not all the powers of hell and
earth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xv-p43">3. How they disposed of themselves for the
present: <i>There they abode a long time with the disciples</i>
(<scripRef id="Acts.xv-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.14.28" parsed="|Acts|14|28|0|0" passage="Ac 14:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), longer than
perhaps at first they intended, not because they <i>feared their
enemies,</i> but because they <i>loved their friends,</i> and were
loth to part from them.</p>
</div></div2>