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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>A C T S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. The famous story of St. Paul's conversion from being an outrageous
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persecutor of the gospel of Christ to be an illustrious professor and
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preacher of it.
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1. How he was first awakened and wrought upon by an appearance of
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Christ himself to him as he was going upon an errand of persecution to
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Damascus: and what a condition he was in while he lay under the power
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of those convictions and terrors,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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2. How he was baptized by Ananias, by immediate directions from heaven,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:10-19">ver. 10-19</A>.
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3. How he immediately commenced doctor, and preached the faith of
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Christ, and proved what he preached,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:20-22">ver. 20-22</A>.
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4. How he was persecuted, and narrowly escaped with his life,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:23-25">ver. 23-25</A>.
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5. How he was admitted among the brethren at Jerusalem: how he
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preached, and was persecuted there,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:26-30">ver. 26-30</A>.
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6. The rest and quietness which the churches enjoyed for some time
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after this,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:31">ver. 31</A>.
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II. The cure wrought by Peter on Eneas, who had long been laid up with
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a palsy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:32-35">ver. 32-35</A>.
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III. The raising of Tabitha from death to life, at the prayer of Peter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:36-43">ver. 36-43</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ac9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac9_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul's Conversion.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter
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against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
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2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues,
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that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women,
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he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
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3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly
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there shined round about him a light from heaven:
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4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,
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Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
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5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am
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Jesus whom thou persecutest: <I>it is</I> hard for thee to kick
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against the pricks.
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6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou
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have me to do? And the Lord <I>said</I> unto him, Arise, and go into
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the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
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7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless,
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hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
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8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened,
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he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought <I>him</I>
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into Damascus.
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9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor
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drink.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We found mention made of Saul twice or thrice in the story of Stephen,
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for the sacred penman longed to come to his story; and now we are come
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to it, not quite taking leave of Peter but from henceforward being
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mostly taken up with Paul the apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter was of
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the circumcision. His name in Hebrew was <I>Saul--desired,</I> though as
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remarkably little in stature as his namesake king Saul was tall and
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stately; one of the ancients calls him, <I>Homo tricubitalis--but four
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feet and a half in height;</I> his Roman name which he went by among
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the citizens of Rome was <I>Paul--little.</I> He was born in Tarsus, a
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city of Cilicia, a free city of the Romans, and himself a freeman of
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that city. His father and mother were both native Jews; therefore he
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calls himself a <I>Hebrew of the Hebrews;</I> he was of the tribe of
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Benjamin, which adhered to Judah. His education was in the schools of
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Tarsus first, which was a little Athens for learning; there he
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acquainted himself with the philosophy and poetry of the Greeks. Thence
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he was sent to the university at Jerusalem, to study divinity and the
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Jewish law. His tutor was Gamaliel, an eminent Pharisee. He had
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extraordinary natural parts, and improved mightily in learning. He had
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likewise a handicraft trade (being bred to tent-making), which was
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common with those among the Jews who were bred scholars (as Dr.
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Lightfoot saith), for the earning of their maintenance, and the
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avoiding of idleness. This is the young man on whom the grace of God
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wrought this mighty change here recorded, about a year after the
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ascension of Christ, or little more. We are here told,</P>
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<P>
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I. How bad he was, how very bad, before his conversion; just before he
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was an inveterate enemy to Christianity, did his utmost to root it out,
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by persecuting all that embraced it. In other respects he was well
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enough, as <I>touching the righteousness which is of the law,
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blameless,</I> a man of no ill morals, but a blasphemer of Christ, a
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persecutor of Christians, and injurious to both,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:13">1 Tim. i. 13</A>.
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And so ill informed was his conscience that he thought he ought to do
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what he did against the name of Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:9"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 9</A>)
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and that he did God service in it, as was foretold,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:2">John xvi. 2</A>.
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Here we have,</P>
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<P>
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1. His general enmity and rage against the Christian religion
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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He <I>yet breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples
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of the Lord.</I> The persons persecuted were the disciples of the Lord;
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because they were so, under that character he hated and persecuted
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them. The matter of the persecution was threatenings and slaughter.
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There is persecution in threatenings
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+4:17,21"><I>ch.</I> iv. 17, 21</A>);
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they terrify and break the spirit: and though we say, Threatened folks
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live long, yet those whom Saul threatened, if he prevailed not thereby
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to frighten them from Christ, he slew them, he persecuted them to
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death,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:4"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 4</A>.
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His breathing out threatenings and slaughter intimates that it was
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natural to him, and his constant business. He even breathed in this as
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in his element. He breathed it out with heat and vehemence; his very
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breath, like that of some venomous creatures, was pestilential. He
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breathed death to the Christians, wherever he came; he puffed at them
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in his pride
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+12:4,5">Ps. xii. 4, 5</A>),
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spit his venom at them in his rage. Saul yet breathing thus intimates,
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(1.) That he still persisted in it; not satisfied with the blood of
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those he had slain, he still cries, <I>Give, give.</I>
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(2.) That he should shortly be of another mine; as yet he breathes out
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threatenings and slaughter, but he has not long to live such a life as
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this, that breath will be stopped shortly.</P>
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<P>
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2. His particular design upon the Christians at Damascus; thither was
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the gospel now lately carried by those that fled from the persecution
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at Stephen's death, and thought to be safe and quiet there, and were
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connived at by those in power there: but Saul cannot be easy if he
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knows a Christian is quiet; and therefore, hearing that the Christians
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in Damascus were so, he resolves to give them disturbance. In order to
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this, he applies to the high priest for a commission
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>)
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to go to Damascus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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The high priest needed not to be stirred up to persecute the
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Christians, he was forward enough to do it; but it seems the young
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persecutor drove more furiously than the old one. Leaders in sin are
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the worst of sinners; and the proselytes which the scribes and
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Pharisees make often prove seven times more the children of hell than
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themselves. He saith
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:5"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 5</A>)
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that this commission was had from the whole estate of the elders: and
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proud enough this furious bigot was to have a commission directed to
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him, with the seal of the great sanhedrim affixed to it. Now the
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commission was to empower him to enquire among the synagogues, or
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congregations, of the Jews that were at Damascus, whether there were
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any that belonged to them that inclined to favour this new sect or
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heresy, that believed in Christ; and if he found any such, whether men
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or women, to bring them up prisoners to Jerusalem, to be proceeded
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against according to law by the great council there. Observe,
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(1.) The Christians are here said to be <I>those of this way; those of
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the way,</I> so it is in the original. Perhaps the Christians sometimes
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called themselves so, from Christ <I>the Way;</I> or, because they
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looked on themselves as but in the way, and not yet at home; or, the
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enemies thus represented it as away by itself, a by-way, a party, a
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faction.
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(2.) The high priest and sanhedrim claimed a power over the Jews in all
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countries, and had a deference paid to their authority in matters of
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religion, by all their synagogues, even those that were not of the
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jurisdiction of the civil government of the Jewish nation. And such a
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sovereignty the Roman pontiff now claims as the Jewish pontiff then
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did, though he has not so much to show for it.
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(3.) By this commission, all that worshipped God in the way that they
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called heresy, though agreeing exactly with the original institutes
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even of the Jewish church, whether they were men or women, were to be
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prosecuted. Even the weaker sex, who in a case of this nature might
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deserve excuse, or at least compassion, shall find neither with Saul
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any more than they do with the popish persecutors.
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(4.) He was ordered to bring them all bound to Jerusalem as criminals
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of the first magnitude, which, as it would be the more likely to
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terrify them, so it would be to magnify Saul, as having the command of
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the forces that were to carry them up, and opportunity of breathing out
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threatenings and slaughter. Thus was Saul employed when the grace of
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God wrought that great change in him. Let not us then despair of
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renewing grace for the conversion of the greatest sinners, nor let such
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despair of the pardoning mercy of God for the greatest sin; for Paul
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himself obtained mercy, that he might be a monument,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:13">1 Tim. i. 13</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. How suddenly and strangely a blessed change was wrought in him, not
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in the use of any ordinary means, but by miracles. The conversion of
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Paul is one of the wonders of the church. Here is,</P>
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<P>
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1. The place and time of it: <I>As he journeyed, he came near to
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Damascus;</I> and there, Christ met with him.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) He was in the way, travelling upon his journey; not in the temple,
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nor in the synagogue, nor in the meeting of the Christians, but by the
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way. The work of conversion is not tied to the church, though
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ordinarily public administrations are made use of. Some are reclaimed
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in slumberings on the bed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:15-17">Job xxxiii. 15-17</A>),
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and some in travelling upon the road alone: Thoughts are as free, and
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there is as good an opportunity of communing with our own hearts there,
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as upon the bed; and there the Spirit may set in with us, for that wind
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blows where it listeth. Some observe that Saul was spoken to abroad in
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the open air that there might be no suspicion of imposture, nor of a
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trick put upon him in it.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) He was near Damascus, almost at his journey's end, ready to enter
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the city, the chief city of Syria. Some observe that he who was to be
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the apostle of the Gentiles was converted to the faith of Christ in a
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Gentile country. Damascus had been infamous for persecuting God's
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people formerly--they threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+1:3">Amos i. 3</A>),
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and now it was likely to be so again.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) He was in a wicked way, pursuing his design against the Christians
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at Damascus, and pleasing himself with the thought that he should
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devour this new-born child of Christianity there. Note, Sometimes the
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grace of God works upon sinners when they are at the worst, and hotly
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engaged in the most desperate sinful pursuits, which is much for the
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glory both of God's pity and of his power.</P>
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<P>
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(4.) The cruel edict and decree he had with him drew near to be put in
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execution; and now it was happily prevented, which may be considered,
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[1.] As a great kindness to the poor saints at Damascus, who had notice
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of his coming, as appears by what Ananias said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>),
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and were apprehensive of their danger from him, and trembled as poor
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lambs at the approach of a ravening wolf; Saul's conversion was their
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security for the present. Christ has many ways of delivering the godly
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out of temptation, and sometimes does it by a change wrought in their
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persecutors, either restraining their wrathful spirits
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+76:10">Ps. lxxvi. 10</A>)
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and mollifying them for a time, as the Old-Testament Saul, who relented
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towards David more than once
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+24:16,26:21">1 Sam. xxiv. 16; xxvi. 21</A>),
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or renewing their spirits, and fixing upon them durable impressions, as
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upon the New-Testament Saul here.
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[2.] It was also a very great mercy to Saul himself to be hindered from
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executing his wicked design, in which if he had now proceeded, perhaps
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it had been the filling up of the measure of his iniquity. Note, It is
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to be valued as a signal token of the divine favour if God, either by
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the inward operations of his grace or the outward occurrences of his
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providence, prevent us from prosecuting and executing a sinful purpose,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+25:32">1 Sam. xxv. 32</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. The appearance of Christ to him in his glory. Here it is only said
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that there <I>shone round about him a light from heaven;</I> but it
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appears from what follows
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>)
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that the Lord Jesus was in this light, and appeared to him by the way.
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He saw that just One
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:14"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 14</A>),
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and see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:13"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 13</A>.
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Whether he saw him at a distance, as Stephen saw him, in the heavens,
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or nearer in the air, is not certain. It is not inconsistent with what
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is said of the heavens receiving Christ till the end of time
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+3:21"><I>ch.</I> iii. 21</A>)
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to suppose that he did, upon such an extraordinary occasion as this,
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make a personal visit, but a very short one, to this lower world; it
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was necessary to Paul's being an apostle that he should see the Lord,
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and so he did,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:1,15:8">1 Cor. ix. 1; xv. 8</A>.
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(1.) This light shone upon him
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<I>suddenly</I>--<B><I>exaiphnes,</I></B> when Paul never thought of
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any such thing, and without any previous warning. Christ's
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manifestations of himself to poor souls are many times sudden and very
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surprising, and he anticipates them with the blessings of his goodness.
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This the disciples that Christ called to himself found. <I>Or ever I
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was aware,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+6:12">Cant. vi. 12</A>.
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|
|
|
(2.) It was a light from Heaven, the fountain of light, from the God of
|
|
heaven, the Father of lights. It was a light above the brightness of
|
|
the sun
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:13"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
for it was visible at mid-day, and outshone the sun in his meridian
|
|
strength and lustre,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+24:23">Isa. xxiv. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It shone <I>round about him,</I> not in his face only, but on
|
|
every side of him; let him turn which way he will, he finds himself
|
|
surrounded with the discoveries of it. And this was designed not only
|
|
to startle him, and awaken his attention (for well may he expect to
|
|
hear when he is thus made to see something very extraordinary), but to
|
|
signify the enlightening of his understanding with the knowledge of
|
|
Christ. The devil comes to the soul in darkness; by this he gets and
|
|
keeps possession of it. But Christ comes to the soul in light, for he
|
|
is himself the light of the world, bright and glorious to us, as light.
|
|
The first thing in this new creation, as in that of the world, is
|
|
light,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:6">2 Cor. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Hence all Christians are said to be <I>children of the light and of the
|
|
day,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+5:8">Eph. v. 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The arresting of Saul, and his detachment: <I>He fell to the
|
|
earth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some think that he was on foot, and that this light, which perhaps was
|
|
accompanied with a thunderclap, so terrified him that he could not keep
|
|
his feet, but fell upon his face, usually a posture of adoration, but
|
|
here of astonishment. It is probable that he was mounted, as Balaam,
|
|
when he went to curse Israel, and perhaps better mounted than he; for
|
|
Saul was now in a public post, was in haste, and the journey was long,
|
|
so that it is not likely he should travel on foot. The sudden light
|
|
would frighten the beast he rode on, and make it throw him; and it was
|
|
God's good providence that his body got no hurt by the fall: but angels
|
|
had a particular charge concerning him, to keep all his bones, so that
|
|
not one of them was broken. It appears
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:14"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
that all that were with him fell to the earth as well as he, but the
|
|
design was upon him. This may be considered,
|
|
|
|
(1.) As the effect of Christ's appearing to him, and of the light which
|
|
shone round about him. Note, Christ's manifestations of himself to poor
|
|
souls are humbling; they lay them very low, in mean thoughts of
|
|
themselves, and a humble submission to the will of God. Now <I>mine
|
|
eyes see thee,</I> saith Job, <I>I abhor myself. I saw the Lord,</I>
|
|
saith Isaiah, <I>sitting upon a throne, and I said, Woe is me, for I am
|
|
undone.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) As a step towards this intended advancement. He is designed not
|
|
only to be a Christian, but to be a minister, an apostle, a great
|
|
apostle, and therefore he must thus be cast down. Note, Those whom
|
|
Christ designs for the greatest honours are commonly first laid low.
|
|
Those who are designed to excel in knowledge and grace are commonly
|
|
laid low first, in a sense of their own ignorance and sinfulness. Those
|
|
whom God will employ are first struck with a sense of their
|
|
unworthiness to be employed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The arraigning of Saul. Being by the fall taken into custody, and as
|
|
it were set to the bar, he heard a voice saying to him (and it was
|
|
distinguishing, to him only, for though those that were with him heard
|
|
a sound,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>,
|
|
|
|
yet they knew not the words,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:9"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?</I> Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Saul not only saw a light from heaven, but heard a voice from
|
|
heaven; wherever the glory of God was seen, the word of God was heard
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+20:18">Exod. xx. 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
and to Moses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+7:89">Num. vii. 89</A>);
|
|
|
|
and to the prophets. God's manifestations of himself were never dumb
|
|
shows, for he magnifies his word above all his name, and what was seen
|
|
was alway designed to make way for what was said. Saul heard a voice.
|
|
Note, Faith comes by hearing; hence the Spirit is said to be received
|
|
by the hearing of faith,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:2">Gal. iii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
The voice he heard was the voice of Christ. When he <I>saw that just
|
|
One, he heard the voice of his mouth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:14"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The word we hear is likely to profit us when we hear it as the
|
|
voice of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:13">1 Thess. ii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>It is the voice of my beloved;</I> no voice but his can reach the
|
|
heart. Seeing and hearing are the two learning senses; Christ here, by
|
|
both these doors, entered into Saul's heart.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What he heard was very awakening.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] He was called by his name, and that doubled: <I>Saul, Saul.</I>
|
|
Some think, in calling him Saul, he hints at that great persecutor of
|
|
David whose name he bore. He was indeed a second Saul, and such an
|
|
enemy to the Son of David as the other was to David. Calling him by his
|
|
name intimates the particular regard that Christ had to him: <I>I have
|
|
surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:4">Isa. xlv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:12">Exod. xxxiii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
His calling him by name brought the conviction home to his conscience,
|
|
and put it past dispute to whom the voice spoke this. Note, What God
|
|
speaks in general is then likely to do us good when we apply it to
|
|
ourselves, and insert our own names into the precepts and promises
|
|
which are expressed generally, as if God spoke to us by name, and when
|
|
he saith, <I>Ho, every one,</I> he had said, <I>Ho, such a one: Samuel,
|
|
Samuel; Saul, Saul.</I> The doubling of it, <I>Saul, Saul,</I>
|
|
intimates, <I>First,</I> The deep sleep that Saul was in; he needed to
|
|
be called again and again, as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+22:29">Jer. xxii. 29</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>O earth, earth, earth. Secondly,</I> The tender concern that the
|
|
blessed Jesus had for him, and for his recovery. He speaks as one in
|
|
earnest; it is like <I>Martha, Martha</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+10:41">Luke x. 41</A>),
|
|
|
|
or <I>Simon, Simon</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+22:31">Luke xxii. 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
or <I>O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:37">Matt. xxiii. 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
He speaks to him as to one in imminent danger, at the pit's brink, and
|
|
just ready to drop in: "<I>Saul, Saul,</I> dost thou know whither thou
|
|
art going, or what thou art doing?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] The charge exhibited against him is, <I>Why persecutest thou
|
|
me?</I> Observe here, <I>First,</I> Before Saul was made a saint, he
|
|
was made to see himself a sinner, a great sinner, a sinner against
|
|
Christ. Now he was made to see that evil in himself which he never saw
|
|
before; sin revived and he died. Note, A humbling conviction of sin is
|
|
the first step towards a saving conversion from sin. <I>Secondly,</I>
|
|
He is convinced of one particular sin, which he was most notoriously
|
|
guilty of, and had justified himself in, and thereby way is made for
|
|
his conviction of all the rest. <I>Thirdly,</I> The sin he is convinced
|
|
of is persecution: <I>Why persecutest thou me?</I> It is a very
|
|
affectionate expostulation, enough to melt a heart of stone. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The person sinning: "It is thou; thou, that art not one of the
|
|
ignorant, rude, unthinking crowd, that will run down any thing they
|
|
hear put into an ill name, but thou that hast had a liberal learned
|
|
education, has good parts and accomplishments, hast the knowledge of
|
|
the scriptures, which, if duly considered, would show thee the folly of
|
|
it. It is worse in thee than in another."
|
|
|
|
2. The person sinned against: "It is I, who never did thee any harm,
|
|
who came from heaven to earth to do thee good, who was not long since
|
|
crucified for thee; and was not that enough, but must I afresh be
|
|
crucified by thee?"
|
|
|
|
3. The kind and continuance of the sin. It was persecution, and he was
|
|
at this time engaged in it: "Not only thou hast persecuted, but thou
|
|
persecutest, thou persistest in it." He was not at this time hauling
|
|
any to prison, nor killing them; but this was the errand he came upon
|
|
to Damascus; he was now projecting it, and pleasing himself with the
|
|
thought of it. Note, Those that are designing mischief are, in God's
|
|
account, doing mischief.
|
|
|
|
4. The question put to him upon it: "Why dost thou do it?"
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is complaining language. "Why dealest thou thus unjustly, thus
|
|
unkindly, with my disciples?" Christ never complained so much of those
|
|
who persecuted him in his own person as he did here of those who
|
|
persecuted him in his followers. He complains of it as it was Saul's
|
|
sin: "Why art thou such an enemy to thyself, to thy God?" Note, The
|
|
sins of sinners are a very grievous burden to the Lord Jesus. He is
|
|
grieved for them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+3:5">Mark iii. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
he is pressed under them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+2:13">Amos ii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is convincing language: "Why dost thou thus: Canst thou give
|
|
any good reason for it?" Note, It is good for us often to ask ourselves
|
|
why we do so and so, that we may discern what an unreasonable thing sin
|
|
is: and of all sins none so unreasonable, so unaccountable, as the sin
|
|
of persecuting the disciples of Christ, especially when it is
|
|
discovered to be, as certainly it is, persecuting Christ. Those have no
|
|
knowledge who eat up God's people,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+14:4">Ps. xiv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Why persecutest thou me?</I> He thought he was persecuting only a
|
|
company of poor, weak, silly people, that were an offence and eye-sore
|
|
to the Pharisees, little imagining that is was one in heaven that he
|
|
was all this while insulting; for surely, if he had known, he would not
|
|
have persecuted the Lord of glory. Note, Those who persecute the saints
|
|
persecute Christ himself, and he takes what is done against them as
|
|
done against himself, and accordingly will be the judgment in the great
|
|
day,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+25:45">Matt. xxv. 45</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. Saul's question upon his indictment, and the reply to it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He makes enquiry concerning Christ: <I>Who art thou, Lord?</I> He
|
|
gives no direct answer to the charge preferred against him, being
|
|
convicted by his own conscience, and self-condemned. If God contend
|
|
with us for our sins, we are not able to answer for one of a thousand,
|
|
especially such a one as the sin of persecution. Convictions of sin,
|
|
when they are set home with power upon the conscience, will silence all
|
|
excuses and self-justifications. <I>Though I were righteous, yet would
|
|
I not answer.</I> But he desires to know who is his judge; the
|
|
compellation is respectful: <I>Lord.</I> He who had been a blasphemer
|
|
of Christ's name now speaks to him as his Lord. The question is proper:
|
|
<I>Who art thou?</I> This implies his present unacquaintedness with
|
|
Christ; he knew not his voice as his own sheep do, but he desired to be
|
|
acquainted with him; he is convinced by this light which encloses him
|
|
that it is one from heaven that speaks to him, and he has a veneration
|
|
for every thing that appears to him to come from heaven; and therefore,
|
|
<I>Lord, who art thou? What is thy name?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+13:17,Ge+32:29">Judg. xiii. 17; Gen. xxxii. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, there is some hope of people when they begin to enquire after
|
|
Jesus Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He has an answer immediately, in which we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ's gracious revelation of himself to him. He is always ready
|
|
to answer the serious enquiries of those who covet an acquaintance with
|
|
him: <I>I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.</I> The name of Jesus was not
|
|
unknown to him; his heart had risen against it many a time, and gladly
|
|
would he bury it in oblivion. He knew it was the name that he
|
|
persecuted, but little did he think to hear it from heaven, or from the
|
|
midst of such a glory as now shone round about him. Note, Christ brings
|
|
souls into fellowship with himself by manifesting himself to them. He
|
|
said, <I>First, I am Jesus, a Saviour; I am Jesus of Nazareth,</I> so
|
|
it is,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:8"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Saul used to call him so when he blasphemed him: "I am that very Jesus
|
|
whom thou usedst to call in scorn <I>Jesus of Nazareth.</I>" And he
|
|
would show that now that he is in his glory he is not ashamed of his
|
|
humiliation. <I>Secondly, "I am that Jesus whom thou persecutest,</I>
|
|
and therefore it will be at thy peril if thou persist in this wicked
|
|
course." There is nothing more effectual to awaken and humble the soul
|
|
than to see sin to be against Christ, an affront to him, and a
|
|
contradiction to his designs.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] His gentle reproof of him: <I>It is hard for thee to kick against
|
|
the pricks,</I> or <I>goads</I>--to spurn at the spur. It is hard, it is
|
|
in itself an absurd and evil thing, and will be of fatal consequence to
|
|
him that does it. Those kick at the goad that stifle and smother the
|
|
convictions of conscience, that rebel against God's truths and laws,
|
|
that quarrel with his providences, and that persecute and oppose his
|
|
ministers, because they reprove them, and their words are as goads and
|
|
as nails. Those that revolt more and more when they are stricken by
|
|
the word or rod of God, that are enraged at reproofs and fly in the
|
|
face of their reprovers, kick against the pricks and will have a great
|
|
deal to answer for.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. His surrender of himself to the Lord Jesus at length,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
See here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The frame and temper he was in, when Christ had been dealing with
|
|
him.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He trembled, as one in a great fright. Note, Strong convictions,
|
|
set home by the blessed Spirit, will make an awakened soul to tremble.
|
|
How can those choose but tremble that are made to see the eternal God
|
|
provoked against them, the whole creation at war with them, and their
|
|
own souls upon the brink of ruin!
|
|
|
|
[2.] He was astonished, was filled with amazement, as one brought into
|
|
a new world, that knew not where he was. Note, The convincing,
|
|
converting, work of Christ is astonishing to the awakened soul, and
|
|
fills it with admiration. "What is this that God has done with me, and
|
|
what will he do?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) His address to Jesus Christ, when he was in this frame: <I>Lord,
|
|
what wilt thou have me to do?</I> This may be taken,
|
|
|
|
[1.] As a serious request for Christ's teachings: "Lord, I see I have
|
|
hitherto been out of the way; thou hast shown me my error, set me to
|
|
rights; thou hast discovered sin to me, discover to me the way to
|
|
pardon and peace." It is like that, <I>Men and brethren, what must we
|
|
do?</I> Note, A serious desire to be instructed by Christ in the way of
|
|
salvation is an evidence of a good work begun in the soul. Or,
|
|
|
|
[2.] As a sincere resignation of himself to the direction and
|
|
government of the Lord Jesus. This was the first word that grace spoke
|
|
in Paul, and with this began a spiritual life: Lord Jesus, <I>What wilt
|
|
thou have me to do?</I> Did not he know what he had to do? Had he not
|
|
his commission in his pocket? And what had he to do but to execute it?
|
|
No, he had done enough of this work already, and resolves now to change
|
|
his master, and employ himself better. Now it is not, What will the
|
|
high priest and the elders have me to do? What will my own wicked
|
|
appetites and passions have me to do? But, <I>What wilt thou have me to
|
|
do?</I> The great change in conversion is wrought upon the will, and
|
|
consists in the resignation of that to the will of Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The general direction Christ gave him, in answer to this:
|
|
<I>Arise, go into the city of Damascus,</I> which thou art now near to,
|
|
<I>and it shall be told thee what thou must do.</I> It is encouragement
|
|
enough to have further instruction promised him, but,
|
|
|
|
[1.] He must not have it yet; it shall be told him shortly what he must
|
|
do, but, for the present, he must pause upon what has been said to him,
|
|
and improve that. Let him consider awhile what he has done in
|
|
persecuting Christ, and be deeply humbled for that, and then he shall
|
|
be told what he has further to do.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He must not have it in this way, by a voice from heaven, for it is
|
|
plain that he cannot bear it; he trembles, and is astonished. He shall
|
|
be told therefore what he must do by a man like himself, whose terror
|
|
shall not make him afraid, nor his hand be heavy upon him, which Israel
|
|
desired at mount Sinai. Or, it is an intimation that Christ would take
|
|
some other time to manifest himself further to him, when he was more
|
|
composed, and this fright pretty well over. Christ manifests himself
|
|
to his people by degrees; and both what he does and would he have them
|
|
to do, though they know not now, they shall know hereafter.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
7. How far his fellow travellers were affected with this, and what
|
|
impression it made upon them. They fell to the earth, as he did, but
|
|
rose without being bidden, which he did not, but lay still till it was
|
|
said to him, <I>Arise;</I> for he lay under a heavier load than any of
|
|
them did; but when they were up,
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>They stood speechless,</I> as men in confusion, and that was
|
|
all,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
They were going on the same wicked errand that Paul was, and perhaps,
|
|
to the best of their power, were as spiteful as he; yet we do not find
|
|
that any of them were converted, though they saw the light, and were
|
|
struck down and struck dumb by it. No external means will of themselves
|
|
work a change in the soul, without the Spirit and grace of God, which
|
|
distinguish between some and others; among these that journeyed
|
|
together, one is taken, and the others left. <I>They stood
|
|
speechless;</I> none of them said, <I>Who art thou, Lord?</I> or,
|
|
<I>What wilt thou have me to do?</I> as Paul did, but none of God's
|
|
children are born dumb.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>They heard a voice, but saw no man;</I> they heard Paul speak,
|
|
but saw not him to whom he spoke, nor heard distinctly what was said to
|
|
him: which reconciles it with what is said of this matter,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:9"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 9</A>,
|
|
|
|
where it is said, <I>They saw the light and were afraid</I> (which they
|
|
might do and yet see no man in the light, as Paul did), and <I>that
|
|
they heard not the voice of him that spoke to Paul,</I> so as to
|
|
understand what he said, though they did hear a confused noise. Thus
|
|
those who came hither to be the instruments of Paul's rage against the
|
|
church serve for witnesses of the power of God over him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
8. What condition Saul was in after this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>He arose from the earth,</I> when Christ commanded him, but
|
|
probably not without help, the vision had made him so faint and weak, I
|
|
will not say like Belshazzar, when the joints of his loins were loosed
|
|
and his knees smote one against another, but like Daniel, when upon the
|
|
sight of a vision no strength remained in him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:16,17">Dan. x. 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>When his eyes were opened,</I> he found that his sight was
|
|
gone, and <I>he saw no man,</I> none of the men that were with him, and
|
|
began now to be busy about him. It was not so much this glaring light
|
|
that, <I>by dazzling his eyes, had dimmed them--Nimium sensibile
|
|
lædit sensum;</I> for then those with him would have lost their
|
|
sight too; but it was a sight of Christ, whom the rest saw not, that
|
|
had this effect upon him. Thus a believing sight of the glory of God
|
|
in the face of Christ dazzles the eyes to all things here below.
|
|
Christ, in order to the further discovery of himself and his gospel to
|
|
Paul, took him off from the sight of other things, which he must look
|
|
off, that he may look unto Jesus, and to him only.
|
|
|
|
(3.) <I>They led him by the hand into Damascus;</I> whether to a public
|
|
house, or to some friend's house, is not certain; but thus he who
|
|
thought to have led the disciples of Christ prisoners and captives to
|
|
Jerusalem was himself led a prisoner and a captive to Christ into
|
|
Damascus. He was thus taught what need he had of the grace of Christ to
|
|
lead his soul (being naturally blind and apt to mistake) into all
|
|
truth.
|
|
|
|
(4.) He lay <I>without sight,</I> and without food, <I>neither did eat
|
|
nor drink for three days,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
I do not think, as some do, that now he had his rapture into the third
|
|
heavens, which he speaks of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+12:1-31">2 Cor. xii</A>.
|
|
|
|
So far from this that we have reason to think he was all this time
|
|
rather in the belly of hell, suffering God's terrors for his sins,
|
|
which were now set in order before him: he was in the dark concerning
|
|
his own spiritual state, and was so wounded in spirit for sin that he
|
|
could relish neither meat nor drink.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ananias Sent to Saul; Ananias Restores Saul's Sight; Saul Associates with the Disciples; Saul Preaches Christ at Damascus.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias;
|
|
and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said,
|
|
Behold, I <I>am here,</I> Lord.
|
|
11 And the Lord <I>said</I> unto him, Arise, and go into the street
|
|
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for
|
|
<I>one</I> called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
|
|
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and
|
|
putting <I>his</I> hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
|
|
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this
|
|
man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
|
|
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind
|
|
all that call on thy name.
|
|
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
|
|
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings,
|
|
and the children of Israel:
|
|
16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my
|
|
name's sake.
|
|
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and
|
|
putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, <I>even</I>
|
|
Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath
|
|
sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with
|
|
the Holy Ghost.
|
|
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been
|
|
scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was
|
|
baptized.
|
|
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was
|
|
Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
|
|
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that
|
|
he is the Son of God.
|
|
21 But all that heard <I>him</I> were amazed, and said; Is not this
|
|
he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem,
|
|
and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound
|
|
unto the chief priests?
|
|
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the
|
|
Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an
|
|
end:</I> a good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's
|
|
feet, in that word, <I>Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?</I> And
|
|
never did Christ leave any that were brought to that. Though Saul was
|
|
sadly mortified when he lay three days blind, yet he was not abandoned.
|
|
Christ here takes care of the work of his own hands. He that hath torn
|
|
will heal--that hath smitten will bind up--that hath convinced will
|
|
comfort.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Ananias is here ordered to go and look after him, to heal and help
|
|
him; for he that causeth grief will have compassion.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The person employed is <I>Ananias, a certain disciple at
|
|
Damascus,</I> not lately driven thither from Jerusalem, but a native of
|
|
Damascus; for it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:12"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 12</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>that he had a good report of all the Jews who dwelt there, as a
|
|
devout man according to the law;</I> he had lately embraced the gospel,
|
|
and given up his name to Christ, and, as it should seem, officiated as
|
|
a minister, at least <I>pro hac vice--on this occasion,</I> though it
|
|
does not appear that he was apostolically ordained. But why were not
|
|
some of the apostles from Jerusalem sent for upon this great occasion,
|
|
or Philip the evangelist, who had lately baptized the eunuch, and might
|
|
have been fetched hither by the Spirit in a little time? Surely,
|
|
because Christ would employ variety of hands in eminent services, that
|
|
the honours might not be monopolized nor engrossed by a few--because he
|
|
would put work into the hands, and thereby put honour upon the heads,
|
|
of those that were mean and obscure, to encourage them--and because he
|
|
would direct us to make much of the ministers that are where our lot is
|
|
cast, if they have ordained mercy to be faithful, though they are not
|
|
of the most eminent.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The direction given him is to go and enquire at such a house,
|
|
probably an inn, for one <I>Saul of Tarsus.</I> Christ, in a vision,
|
|
called to Ananias by name,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is probable it was not the first time that he had heard the words of
|
|
God, and seen the visions of the Almighty; for, without terror or
|
|
confusion, he readily answers, "<I>Behold I am here, Lord,</I> ready to
|
|
go wherever thou sendest me, and to do whatever thou biddest me." <I>Go
|
|
then,</I> saith Christ, <I>into the street which is called Straight,
|
|
and enquire in the house of Judas</I> (where strangers used to lodge)
|
|
<I>for one called Saul of Tarsus.</I> Note, Christ very well knows
|
|
where to find out those that are his, in their distresses: when their
|
|
relations, it may be, know not what is become of them, they have a
|
|
friend in heaven, that knows in what street, in what house, nay, and
|
|
which is more, in what frame they are: he knows their souls in
|
|
adversity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Two reasons are given him why he must go and enquire for this
|
|
stranger, and offer him his service--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) Because he prays, and his coming to him must answer his prayer.
|
|
This is a reason,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Why Ananias needed not to be afraid of him, as we find he was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
There is no question, saith Christ, but he is a true convert, <I>for
|
|
behold he prayeth. Behold</I> denotes the certainty of it: "Assure
|
|
thyself it is so; go and see." Christ was so pleased to find Paul
|
|
praying that he must have others to take notice of it: <I>Rejoice with
|
|
me, for I have found the sheep which I had lost.</I> It denotes also
|
|
the strangeness of it: "Behold, and wonder, that he who but the other
|
|
day breathed nothing but threatenings and slaughter, now breathes
|
|
nothing but prayer." But was it such a strange thing for Saul to pray?
|
|
Was he not a Pharisee? and have we not reason to think he did, as the
|
|
rest of them did, make long prayers in the synagogues and the corners
|
|
of the streets? Yes; but now he began to pray after another manner than
|
|
he had done; then he said his prayers, now he prayed them. Note,
|
|
Regenerating grace ever more sets people on praying; you may as soon
|
|
find a living man without breath as a living Christian without prayer;
|
|
if breathless, lifeless; and so, if prayerless, graceless.
|
|
|
|
[2.] As a reason why Ananias must go to him with all speed. It is no
|
|
time to linger, <I>for behold he prayeth:</I> if the child cry, the
|
|
tender nurse will hasten to it with the breast. Saul here, like
|
|
Ephraim, is bemoaning himself, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke,
|
|
and kicking against the goad. "Oh! go to him quickly, and tell him he
|
|
is a dear son, a pleasant child, and <I>since I spoke against him,</I>
|
|
for persecuting me, <I>I do earnestly remember him still.</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+31:18-20">Jer. xxxi. 18-20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe what condition Saul was now in. He was under conviction of sin,
|
|
trembling and astonished; the setting of sin in order before us should
|
|
drive us to prayer. He was under a bodily affliction, blind and sick;
|
|
and, <I>Is any afflicted? Let him pray.</I> Christ had promised him
|
|
that it should be further told him what he should do
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
and he prays that one may be sent to him to instruct him. Note, What
|
|
God has promised we must pray for; he will for this be enquired of, and
|
|
particularly for divine instruction.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because he hath seen in a vision such a man coming to him, to
|
|
restore him to his sight; and Ananias's coming to him must answer his
|
|
dream, for it was of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias,</I> and just such a
|
|
man as thou art, <I>coming in</I> seasonably for his relief, <I>and
|
|
putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight.</I> Now this
|
|
vision which Paul had may be considered,
|
|
|
|
[1.] As an immediate answer to his prayer, and the keeping up of that
|
|
communion with God which he had entered into by prayer. He had, in
|
|
prayer, spread the misery of his own case before God, and God presently
|
|
manifests himself and the kind intentions of his grace to him; and it
|
|
is very encouraging to know God's thoughts to us-ward.
|
|
|
|
[2.] As designed to raise his expectations, and to make Ananias's
|
|
coming more welcome to him. He would readily receive him as a messenger
|
|
from God when he was told beforehand, in vision, that one of that name
|
|
would come to him. See what a great thing it is to bring a spiritual
|
|
physician and his patient together: here were two visions in order to
|
|
it. When God, in his providence, does it without visions, brings a
|
|
messenger to the afflicted soul, an interpreter, one among a thousand,
|
|
to show unto man his uprightness, it must be acknowledged with
|
|
thankfulness to his praise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Ananias objects against going to him, and the Lord answers the
|
|
objection. See how condescendingly the Lord admits his servant to
|
|
reason with him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Ananias pleads that this Saul was a notorious persecutor of the
|
|
disciples of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He had been so at Jerusalem: "<I>Lord, I have heard by many of
|
|
this man,</I> what a malicious enemy he is to the gospel of Christ: all
|
|
those that were scattered upon the late persecution, many of whom are
|
|
come to Damascus, tell <I>how much evil he hath done to thy saints in
|
|
Jerusalem,</I> that he was the most virulent, violent persecutor of
|
|
all, and a ringleader in the mischief--what havoc he has made in the
|
|
church: there was no man they were more afraid of, no, not the high
|
|
priest himself, than of Saul; nay,"
|
|
|
|
(2.) "His errand to Damascus at this time is to persecute us
|
|
Christians: <I>Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all
|
|
that call on thy name,</I> to treat the worshippers of Christ as the
|
|
worst of criminals." Now, why does Ananias object this. Not,
|
|
"Therefore I do not owe him so much service. Why should I do him a
|
|
kindness who has done and designed us so much unkindness?" No, Christ
|
|
has taught us another lesson, to render good for evil, and pray for our
|
|
persecutors; but if he be such a persecutor of Christians,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Will it be safe for Ananias to go to him? Will he not throw
|
|
himself like a lamb into the mouth of a lion? And, if he thus bring
|
|
himself into trouble, he will be blamed for his indiscretion.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Will it be to any purpose to go to him? Can such a hard heart ever
|
|
be softened, or such an Ethiopian ever change his skin?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Christ overrules the objection
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Do not tell me how bad he has been, I know it very well; but go thy
|
|
way with all speed, and give him all the help thou canst, <I>for he is
|
|
a chosen vessel,</I> or instrument, unto me; I design to put confidence
|
|
in him, and then thou needest not fear him." He was a vessel in which
|
|
the gospel-treasure should be lodged, in order to the conveyance of it
|
|
to many; an earthen vessel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:7">2 Cor. iv. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
but a chosen vessel. The vessel God uses he himself chooses; and it is
|
|
fit he should himself have the choosing of the instruments he employs
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:16">John xv. 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.</I> He is a vessel of
|
|
honour, and must not be neglected in his present forlorn condition, nor
|
|
thrown away as a despised broken vessel, or a vessel in which there is
|
|
no pleasure. He is designed,
|
|
|
|
(1.) For eminent services: <I>He is to bear my name before the
|
|
Gentiles,</I> is to be the apostle of the Gentiles, and to carry the
|
|
gospel to heathen nations. Christ's name is the standard to which souls
|
|
must be gathered, and under which they must be enlisted, and Saul must
|
|
be a standard-bearer. He must bear Christ's name, must bear witness to
|
|
it before kings, king Agrippa and Cæsar himself; nay, he must
|
|
bear it before the children of Israel, though there were so many hands
|
|
already at work about them.
|
|
|
|
(2.) For eminent sufferings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's
|
|
sake.</I> He that has been a persecutor shall be himself persecuted.
|
|
Christ's showing him this intimates either his bringing him to these
|
|
trials (as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+60:3">Ps. lx. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast shown thy people hard things,</I> or his giving notice of
|
|
them beforehand, that they might be no surprise to him. Note, Those
|
|
that bear Christ's name must expect to bear the cross for his name; and
|
|
those that do most for Christ are often called out to suffer most for
|
|
him. Saul must suffer great things. This, one would think, was a cold
|
|
comfort for a young convert; but it is only like telling a soldier of a
|
|
bold and brave spirit, when he is enlisted, that he shall take the
|
|
field, and enter upon action, shortly. Saul's sufferings for Christ
|
|
shall redound so much to the honour of Christ and the service of the
|
|
church, shall be so balanced with spiritual comforts and recompensed
|
|
with eternal glories, that it is no discouragement to him to be told
|
|
how great things he must suffer for Christ's name's sake.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Ananias presently goes on Christ's errand to Saul, and with good
|
|
effect. He had started an objection against going to him, but, when an
|
|
answer was given to it, he dropped it, and did not insist upon it. When
|
|
difficulties are removed, what have we to do but to go on with our
|
|
work, and not hang upon an objection?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Ananias delivered his message to Saul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Probably he found him in bed, and applied to him as a patient.
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>He put his hands on him.</I> It was promised, as one of the
|
|
signs that should follow those that believe, that they should lay hands
|
|
on the sick, and they should recover
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:18">Mark xvi. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it was for that intent that he put his hands on him. Saul came to
|
|
lay violent hands upon the disciples at Damascus, but here a disciple
|
|
lays a helping healing hand upon him. <I>The blood-thirsty hate the
|
|
upright, but the just seek his soul.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He called him <I>brother,</I> because he was made a partaker of
|
|
the grace of God, though not yet baptized; and his readiness to own him
|
|
as a brother intimated to him God's readiness to own him as a son,
|
|
though he had been a blasphemer of God and a persecutor of his
|
|
children.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He produces his commission from the same hand that had laid hold
|
|
on him by the way, and now had him in custody. "That <I>same Jesus that
|
|
appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest,</I> and convinced thee of
|
|
thy sin in persecuting him, has now sent me to thee to comfort thee."
|
|
<I>Una eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit--The hand that wounded
|
|
heals.</I> "His light struck thee blind, but he <I>hath sent me to thee
|
|
that thou mightest receive thy sight;</I> for the design was not to
|
|
blind thine eyes, but to dazzle them, that thou mightest see things by
|
|
another light: he that then put clay upon thine eyes hath sent me to
|
|
wash them, that they may be cured." Ananias might deliver his message
|
|
to Saul very appositely in the prophet's words
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+6:1,2">Hos. vi. 1, 2</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Come and turn to the Lord, for he hath torn and he will heal thee;
|
|
he hath smitten, and he will bind thee up; now after two days he will
|
|
revive thee, and the third day he will raise thee up, and thou shalt
|
|
live in his sight.</I> Corrosives shall be no more applied, but
|
|
lenitives.
|
|
|
|
(4.) He assures him that he shall not only have his sight restored, but
|
|
be filled with the Holy Ghost: he must himself be an apostle, and must
|
|
in nothing come behind the chief of the apostles, and therefore must
|
|
receive the Holy Ghost immediately, and not, as others did, by the
|
|
interposition of the apostles; and Ananias's putting his hands upon him
|
|
before he was baptized was for the conferring of the Holy Ghost.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Ananias saw the good issue of his mission.
|
|
|
|
(1.) In Christ's favour to Saul. At the word of Ananias, Saul was
|
|
discharged from his confinement by the restoring of his sight; for
|
|
Christ's commission to open the prison to those that were bound
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:1">Isa. lxi. 1</A>)
|
|
|
|
is explained by the giving of sight to the blind,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:18,Isa+42:7">Luke iv. 18; Isa. xlii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's commission is to open the blind eyes, and to bring out the
|
|
prisoners from the prison. Saul is delivered from the spirit of bondage
|
|
by receiving sight
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
which was signified by the falling of scales from his eyes; and this
|
|
immediately, and forthwith: the cure was sudden, to show that it was
|
|
miraculous. This signified the recovering of him,
|
|
|
|
[1.] From the darkness of his unconverted state. When he persecuted
|
|
the church of God, and walked in the spirit and way of the Pharisees,
|
|
he was blind; he saw not the meaning either of the law or of the
|
|
gospel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:9">Rom. vii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ often told the Pharisees that they were blind, and could not
|
|
make them sensible of it; they said, <I>We see,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+9:41">John ix. 41</A>.
|
|
|
|
Saul is saved from his Pharisaical blindness, by being made sensible of
|
|
it. Note, Converting grace opens the eyes of the soul, and makes the
|
|
scales to fall from them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:18"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
to open men's eyes, and turn them from darkness to light: this was what
|
|
Saul was sent among the Gentiles to do, by the preaching of the gospel,
|
|
and therefore must first experience it in himself.
|
|
|
|
[2.] From the darkness of his present terrors, under the apprehension
|
|
of guilt upon his conscience, and the wrath of God against him. This
|
|
filled him with confusion, during those three days he sat in darkness,
|
|
like Jonah for three days in the belly of hell; but now the scales fell
|
|
from his eyes, the cloud was scattered, and the Sun of righteousness
|
|
rose upon his soul, with healing under his wings.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In Saul's subjection to Christ: He was baptized, and thereby
|
|
submitted to the government of Christ, and cast himself upon the grace
|
|
of Christ. Thus he was entered into Christ's school, hired into his
|
|
family, enlisted under his banner, and joined himself to him for better
|
|
for worse. The point was gained: it is settled; Saul is now a disciple
|
|
of Christ, not only ceases to oppose him, but devotes himself entirely
|
|
to his service and honour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The good work that was begun in Saul is carried on wonderfully;
|
|
this new-born Christian, though he seemed <I>as one born out of due
|
|
time,</I> yet presently comes to maturity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He received his bodily strength,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
He had continued three days fasting, which, with the mighty weight that
|
|
was all that time upon his spirits, had made him very weak; but,
|
|
<I>when he had received meat, he was strengthened,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Lord is for the body, and therefore care must be taken of it, to
|
|
keep it in good plight, that it may be fit to serve the soul in God's
|
|
service, and that Christ may be magnified in it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:20">Phil. i. 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He associated with the disciples that were at Damascus, fell in with
|
|
them, conversed with them, went to their meetings, and joined in
|
|
communion with them. He had lately <I>breathed out threatenings and
|
|
slaughter against them,</I> but now breathes love and affection to
|
|
them. Now <I>the wolf dwells with the lamb,</I> and <I>the leopard lies
|
|
down with the kid,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:6">Isa. xi. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Those that take God for their God take his people for their
|
|
people. Saul associated with the disciples, because now he saw an
|
|
amiableness and excellency in them, because he loved them, and found
|
|
that he improved in knowledge and grace by conversing with them; and
|
|
thus he made profession of his Christian faith, and openly declared
|
|
himself a disciple of Christ, by associating with those that were his
|
|
disciples.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. <I>He preached Christ in the synagogues,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
To this he had an extraordinary call, and for it an extraordinary
|
|
qualification, God having immediately revealed his Son to him and in
|
|
him, that he might preach him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:15,16">Gal. i. 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was so full of Christ himself, that <I>the Spirit within him
|
|
constrained him</I> to preach him to others, and, like Elihu, <I>to
|
|
speak that he might be refreshed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+32:20">Job xxxii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Where he preached--in the synagogues of the Jews, for they were to
|
|
have the first offer made them. The synagogues were their places of
|
|
concourse; there he met with them together, and there they used to
|
|
preach against Christ and to punish his disciples, by the same token
|
|
that Paul himself <I>had punished them oft in every synagogue</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:11"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore there he would face the enemies of Christ where they were
|
|
most daring, and openly profess Christianity where he had most opposed
|
|
it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What he preached: <I>He preached Christ.</I> When he began to be a
|
|
preacher, he fixed this for his principle, which he stuck to ever
|
|
after: <I>We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord;</I>
|
|
nothing but Christ, and him crucified. He preached concerning Christ,
|
|
<I>that he is the Son of God,</I> his beloved Son, in whom he is well
|
|
pleased, and with us in him, and not otherwise.
|
|
|
|
(3.) How people were affected with it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this he that
|
|
destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem,</I> and now does
|
|
he call on this name himself, and persuade others to call upon it, and
|
|
strengthen the hands of those that do?" <I>Quantum mutatus ab illo--Oh
|
|
how changed! Is Saul also among the prophets?</I> Nay, did he not come
|
|
hither for that intent, to seize all the Christians he could find, and
|
|
<I>bring them bound to the chief priests?</I> Yes, he did. Who would
|
|
have thought then that he would ever preach Christ as he does?
|
|
Doubtless this was looked upon by many as a great confirmation of the
|
|
truth of Christianity, that one who had been such a notorious
|
|
persecutor of it came, on a sudden, to be such an intelligent,
|
|
strenuous, and capacious preacher of it. This miracle upon the mind of
|
|
such a man outshone the miracles upon men's bodies; and giving a man
|
|
such another heart was more than giving men to speak with other
|
|
tongues.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He confuted and confounded those that opposed the doctrine of
|
|
Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He signalized himself, not only in the pulpit, but in the schools, and
|
|
showed himself supernaturally enabled, not only to preach the truth,
|
|
but to maintain and defend it when he had preached it.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He increased in strength. He became more intimately acquainted
|
|
with the gospel of Christ, and his pious affections grew more strong.
|
|
He grew more bold and daring and resolute in defence of the gospel:
|
|
<I>He increased the more</I> for the reflections that were cast upon
|
|
him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
in which his new friends upbraided him as having been a persecutor, and
|
|
his old friends upbraided him as being now a turncoat; but Saul,
|
|
instead of being discouraged by the various remarks made upon his
|
|
conversion, was thereby so much the more emboldened, finding he had
|
|
enough at hand wherewith to answer the worst they could say to him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He ran down his antagonists, and <I>confounded the Jews who dwelt
|
|
in Damascus;</I> he silenced them, and shamed them--answered their
|
|
objections to the satisfaction of all indifferent persons, and pressed
|
|
them with arguments which they could make no reply to. In all his
|
|
discourses with the Jews he was still <I>proving that this Jesus is
|
|
very Christ, is the Christ, the anointed of God, the true Messiah
|
|
promised to the fathers.</I> He was proving it,
|
|
<B><I>symbibazon</I></B>--<I>affirming it and confirming it,</I>
|
|
teaching with persuasion. And we have reason to think he was
|
|
instrumental in converting many to the faith of Christ, and building up
|
|
the church at Damascus, which he went thither to make havoc of. Thus
|
|
<I>out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong
|
|
sweetness.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_31"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Jews Plot to Kill Saul; Saul Is Received by the Apostles; Prosperity of the Church.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took
|
|
counsel to kill him:
|
|
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched
|
|
the gates day and night to kill him.
|
|
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let <I>him</I> down by
|
|
the wall in a basket.
|
|
26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join
|
|
himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and
|
|
believed not that he was a disciple.
|
|
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought <I>him</I> to the apostles,
|
|
and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and
|
|
that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at
|
|
Damascus in the name of Jesus.
|
|
28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
|
|
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
|
|
disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
|
|
30 <I>Which</I> when the brethren knew, they brought him down to
|
|
Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
|
|
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee
|
|
and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the
|
|
Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Luke here makes no mention of Paul's journey into Arabia, which he
|
|
tells us himself was immediately after his conversion,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:16,17">Gal. i. 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
As soon as God <I>had revealed his Son in him, that he might preach
|
|
him, he went not up to Jerusalem,</I> to receive instructions from the
|
|
apostles (as any other convert would have done, that was designed for
|
|
the ministry), but he went to Arabia, where there was new ground to
|
|
break up, and where he would have opportunity of teaching, but not
|
|
learning; thence he returned to Damascus, and there, three years after
|
|
his conversion, this happened, which is here recorded.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He met with difficulties at Damascus, and had a narrow escape of
|
|
being killed there. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. What his danger was
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The Jews took counsel to kill him,</I> being more enraged at him
|
|
than at any other of the preachers of the gospel, not only because he
|
|
was more lively and zealous in his preaching than any of them, and more
|
|
successful, but because he had been such a remarkable deserter, and his
|
|
being a Christian was a testimony against them. It is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>The Jews watched the gates day and night to kill him;</I> they
|
|
incensed the governor against him, as a dangerous man, who therefore
|
|
kept the city with a guard to apprehend him, at his going out or coming
|
|
in,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:32">2 Cor. xi. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now Christ showed Paul <I>what great things he must suffer for his
|
|
name</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
when here was presently the government in arms against him, which was a
|
|
great thing, and, as all his other sufferings afterwards, helped to
|
|
make him considerable. Saul was no sooner a Christian than a preacher,
|
|
no sooner a preacher than a sufferer; so quickly did he rise to the
|
|
summit of his preferment. Note, Where God gives great grace he commonly
|
|
exercises it with great trials.
|
|
|
|
2. How he was delivered.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The design against him was discovered: <I>Their lying in wait was
|
|
known of Saul,</I> by some intelligence, whether from heaven or from
|
|
men we are not told.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The disciples contrived to help him away--hid him, it is likely, by
|
|
day; and in the night, the gates being watched, that he could not get
|
|
away through them, <I>they let him down by the wall, in a basket,</I>
|
|
as he himself relates it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+11:33">2 Cor. xi. 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>so he escaped out of their hands.</I> This story, as it shows us
|
|
that when we enter into the way of God we must look for temptation, and
|
|
prepare accordingly, so it shows us <I>that the Lord knows how to
|
|
deliver the godly out of temptation, and will with the temptation also
|
|
make a way to escape, that we may</I> not be by it deterred nor driven
|
|
from the way of God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He met with difficulties at Jerusalem the first time he went
|
|
thither,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
He came to Jerusalem. This is thought to be that journey to Jerusalem
|
|
of which he himself speaks
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:18">Gal. i. 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>After three years I went up to Jerusalem,</I> saith he, <I>to see
|
|
Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.</I> But I rather incline to
|
|
think that this was a journey before that, because <I>his coming in</I>
|
|
and <I>going out, his preaching and disputing</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
seem to be more than would consist with his fifteen days' stay (for
|
|
that was no more) and to require a longer time; and, besides, now he
|
|
came a stranger, but then he came, <B><I>historesai
|
|
Petron</I></B>--<I>to confer with Peter,</I> as one he was intimate
|
|
with; however, it might possibly be the same. Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How shy his friends were of him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When he came to Jerusalem,</I> he did not go to the chief priests
|
|
and the Pharisees (he had taken his leave of them long since), but
|
|
<I>he assayed to join himself to the disciples.</I> Wherever he came,
|
|
he owned himself one of that despised persecuted people, and associated
|
|
with them. They were now in his eyes <I>the excellent ones of the
|
|
earth, in whom was all his delight.</I> He desired to be acquainted
|
|
with them, and to be admitted into communion with them; but they looked
|
|
strange upon him, shut the door against him, and would not go about any
|
|
of their religious exercises if he were by, for <I>they were afraid of
|
|
him.</I> Now might Paul be tempted to think himself in an ill case,
|
|
when the Jews had abandoned and persecuted him, and the Christians
|
|
would not receive and entertain him. Thus does he fall into divers
|
|
temptations, and needs the armour of righteousness, as we all do, both
|
|
on the right hand and on the left, that we may not be discouraged
|
|
either by the unjust treatment of our enemies or the unkind treatment
|
|
of our friends.
|
|
|
|
(1.) See what was the cause of their jealousy of him: <I>They believed
|
|
not that he was a disciple,</I> but only pretended to be so, and came
|
|
among them as a spy or an informer. They knew what a bitter persecutor
|
|
he had been, with what fury he went to Damascus some time ago; they had
|
|
heard nothing of him since, and therefore thought he was but a wolf in
|
|
sheep's clothing. The disciples of Christ had need to be cautious whom
|
|
they admit into communion with them. <I>Believe not every spirit.</I>
|
|
There is need of the wisdom of the serpent, to keep the mean between
|
|
the extremes of suspicion on the one hand and credulity on the other;
|
|
yet methinks it is safer to err on the charitable side, because it is
|
|
an adjudged case that it is better the tares should be found among the
|
|
wheat than that the wheat should any of it be rooted up and thrown out
|
|
of the field.
|
|
|
|
(2.) See how it was removed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Barnabas took him to the apostles</I> themselves, who were not so
|
|
scrupulous as the inferior disciples, <I>to whom he first assayed to
|
|
join himself, and he declared to them,</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] What Christ had done for him: <I>He had shown himself to him in
|
|
the way</I> and spoken to him; and what he said.
|
|
|
|
[2.] What he had since done for Christ: <I>He had preached boldly at
|
|
Damascus in the name of Jesus.</I> How Barnabas came to know this, more
|
|
than the rest of them, we are not told; whether he had himself been at
|
|
Damascus, or had had letters thence, or discoursed with some of that
|
|
city, by which he came to the knowledge of this; or whether he had
|
|
formerly been acquainted with Paul in the Grecian synagogues, or at the
|
|
feet of Gamaliel, and had such an account of his conversion from
|
|
himself as he saw cause enough to give credit to: but so it was that,
|
|
being satisfied himself, he gave satisfaction to the apostles
|
|
concerning him, he having brought no testimonials from the disciples at
|
|
Damascus, thinking <I>he needed not, as some others, epistles of
|
|
commendation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:1">2 Cor. iii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The introducing of a young convert into the communion of the
|
|
faithful is a very good work, and one which, as we have opportunity, we
|
|
should be ready to do.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How sharp his enemies were upon him.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He was admitted into the communion of the disciples, which was no
|
|
little provocation to his enemies. It vexed the unbelieving Jews to see
|
|
Saul a trophy of Christ's victory, and a captive to his grace, who had
|
|
been such a champion for their cause--to see him <I>coming in, and
|
|
going out, with the apostles</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
and to hear them glorying in him, or rather glorifying God in him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He appeared vigorous in the cause of Christ, and this was yet more
|
|
provoking to them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.</I> Note, Those that
|
|
speak for Christ have reason to speak boldly; for they have a good
|
|
cause, and speak for one who will at last speak for himself and them
|
|
too. The Grecians, or Hellenist Jews, were most offended at him,
|
|
because he had been one of them; and they drew him into a dispute, in
|
|
which, no doubt, he was too hard for them, as he had been for the Jews
|
|
at Damascus. One of the martyrs said, Though she could not dispute for
|
|
Christ, she could die for Christ; but Paul could do both. Now the Lord
|
|
Jesus divided the spoils of the strong man armed in Saul. For that same
|
|
natural quickness and fervour of spirit which, while he was in
|
|
ignorance and unbelief, made him a furious bigoted persecutor of the
|
|
faith, made him a most zealous courageous defender of the faith.
|
|
|
|
(3.) This brought him into peril of his life, with which he narrowly
|
|
escaped: <I>The Grecians,</I> when they found they could not deal with
|
|
him in disputation, contrived to silence him another way; <I>they went
|
|
about to slay him,</I> as they did Stephen when <I>they could not
|
|
resist the Spirit by which he spoke,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:10"><I>ch.</I> vi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
That is a bad cause that has recourse to persecution for its last
|
|
argument. But notice was given of this conspiracy too, and effectual
|
|
care taken to secure this young champion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When the brethren knew</I> what was designed against him <I>they
|
|
brought him down to Cesarea.</I> They remembered how the putting of
|
|
Stephen to death, upon his disputing with the Grecians, had been the
|
|
beginning of a sore persecution; and therefore were afraid of having
|
|
such a vein opened again, and hastened Paul out of the way. He that
|
|
flies may fight again. He that fled from Jerusalem might do service at
|
|
Tarsus, the place of his nativity; and thither they desired him by all
|
|
means to go, hoping he might there go on in his work with more safety
|
|
than at Jerusalem. Yet it was also by direction from heaven that he
|
|
left Jerusalem at this time, as he tells us himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:17"><I>ch.</I> xxii. 17, 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
that Christ now appeared to him, and ordered him to <I>go quickly out
|
|
of Jerusalem,</I> for he must be sent <I>to the Gentiles,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those by whom God has work to do shall be protected from all the
|
|
designs of their enemies against them till it be done. Christ's
|
|
witnesses cannot be slain till they have <I>finished their
|
|
testimony.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The churches had now a comfortable gleam of liberty and peace
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Then had the churches rest. Then,</I> when Saul was converted, so
|
|
some; when that persecutor was taken off, those were quiet whom he used
|
|
to irritate, and then those were quiet whom he used to molest. Or,
|
|
<I>then,</I> when he had gone from Jerusalem, the fury of the Grecian
|
|
Jews was a little abated, and they were the more willing to bear with
|
|
the other preachers now that Saul had gone out of the way.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. <I>The churches had rest.</I> After a storm comes a calm. Though we
|
|
are always to expect troublesome times, yet we may expect that they
|
|
shall not last always. This was a breathing-time allowed them, to
|
|
prepare them for the next encounter. The churches that were already
|
|
planted were mostly in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, within the limits
|
|
of the holy land. There were the first Christian churches, where Christ
|
|
had himself laid the foundation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They made a good use of this lucid interval. Instead of growing more
|
|
secure and wanton in the day of their prosperity, they abounded more in
|
|
their duty, and made a good use of their tranquillity.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They <I>were edified,</I> were built up in their most holy faith;
|
|
the more free and constant enjoyment they had of the means of knowledge
|
|
and grace, the more they increased in knowledge and grace.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They <I>walked in the fear of the Lord</I>--were more exemplary
|
|
themselves for a holy heavenly conversation. They so lived that all who
|
|
conversed with them might say, Surely the fear of God reigns in those
|
|
people.
|
|
|
|
(3.) They <I>walked in the comfort of the Holy Ghost</I>--were not only
|
|
faithful, but cheerful, in religion; they stuck to the ways of the
|
|
Lord, and sang in those ways. <I>The comfort of the Holy Ghost</I> was
|
|
their consolation, and that which they made their chief joy. They had
|
|
recourse to the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and lived upon that, not
|
|
only in days of trouble and affliction, but in days of rest and
|
|
prosperity. The comforts of the earth, when they had the most free and
|
|
full enjoyment of them, could not content them without the comfort of
|
|
the Holy Ghost. Observe the connection of these two: when they walked
|
|
<I>in the fear of the Lord,</I> then they walked <I>in the comfort of
|
|
the Holy Ghost.</I> Those are most likely to walk cheerfully that walk
|
|
circumspectly.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. God blessed it to them for their increase in number: They <I>were
|
|
multiplied.</I> Sometimes the church multiplies the more for its being
|
|
afflicted, as Israel in Egypt; yet if it were always so, the saints of
|
|
the Most High would be worn out. At other times its rest contributes to
|
|
its growth, as it enlarges the opportunity of ministers, and invites
|
|
those in who at first are afraid of suffering. Or, <I>then,</I> when
|
|
<I>they walked in the fear of God and his comforts, they were
|
|
multiplied.</I> Thus those that will not be won by the word may be won
|
|
by the conversation of professors.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Cure of Æneas.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all
|
|
<I>quarters,</I> he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
|
|
33 And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had
|
|
kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
|
|
34 And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee
|
|
whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
|
|
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to
|
|
the Lord.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we have,
|
|
|
|
I. The visit Peter made to the churches that were newly planted by the
|
|
dispersed preachers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. He <I>passed through all quarters.</I> As an apostle, he was not to
|
|
be the resident pastor of any one church, but the itinerant visitor of
|
|
many churches, to confirm the doctrine of inferior preachers, to confer
|
|
<I>the Holy Ghost on those that believed,</I> and to ordain ministers.
|
|
He passed <B><I>dia panton</I></B>--<I>among them all,</I> who
|
|
pertained to the churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, mentioned in
|
|
the foregoing chapter. He was, like his Master, always upon the remove,
|
|
and <I>went about doing good;</I> but still his head-quarters were at
|
|
Jerusalem, for there we shall find him imprisoned,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+12:2"><I>ch.</I> xii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>He came to the saints at Lydda.</I> This seems to be the same with
|
|
<I>Lod,</I> a city in the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+8:12,Ezr+2:33">1 Chron. viii. 12; Ezra ii. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Christians are called <I>saints,</I> not only some particular
|
|
eminent ones, as saint Peter and saint Paul, but every sincere
|
|
professor of the faith of Christ. These are the saints on the earth,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+16:3">Ps. xvi. 3</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The cure Peter wrought on <I>Eneas,</I> a man that had been
|
|
bedridden eight years,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. His case was very deplorable: <I>He was sick of the palsy,</I> a
|
|
dumb palsy, perhaps a dead palsy. The disease was extreme, for <I>he
|
|
kept his bed;</I> it was inveterate, for he kept his bed <I>eight
|
|
years;</I> and we may suppose that both he himself and all about him
|
|
despaired of relief for him, and concluded upon no other than that he
|
|
must still keep his bed till he removed to his grave. Christ chose such
|
|
patients as this, whose disease was incurable in a course of nature, to
|
|
show how desperate the case of fallen mankind was when he undertook
|
|
their cure. When we were without strength, as this poor man, <I>he sent
|
|
his word to heal us.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. His cure was very admirable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Peter interested Christ in his case, and engaged him for his
|
|
relief: <I>Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.</I> Peter does not
|
|
pretend to do it himself by any power of his own, but declares it to be
|
|
Christ's act and deed, directs him to look up to Christ for help, and
|
|
assures him of an <I>immediate</I> cure--not, "He <I>will</I> make
|
|
thee," but, "He <I>does</I> make thee, whole;" and a <I>perfect</I>
|
|
cure--not, "He makes thee <I>easy,</I>" but "He makes thee
|
|
<I>whole.</I>" He does not express himself by way of prayer to Christ
|
|
that he would make him whole, but as one having authority from Christ,
|
|
and that knew his mind, he declares him made whole.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He ordered him to bestir himself, to exert himself: "<I>Arise and
|
|
make thy bed,</I> that all may see thou art thoroughly cured." Let none
|
|
say that because it is Christ that by the power of his grace works all
|
|
our works in us therefore we have no work, no duty, to do; for, though
|
|
Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou must arise and make use of the
|
|
power he gives thee: "<I>Arise, and make thy bed,</I> to be to thee no
|
|
longer a bed of sickness, but a bed of rest."
|
|
|
|
(3.) Power went along with this word: he arose immediately, and no
|
|
doubt very willingly made his own bed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The good influence this had upon many
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the
|
|
Lord.</I> We can scarcely think that every individual person in those
|
|
countries took cognizance of the miracle, and was wrought upon by it;
|
|
but many, the generality of the people in the town of Lydda and in the
|
|
country of Saron, or Sharon, a fruitful plain or valley, of which it
|
|
was foretold, <I>Sharon shall be a fold of flocks,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:10">Isa. lxv. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. They all made enquiry into the truth of the miracle, did not
|
|
overlook it, but saw him that was healed, and saw that it was a
|
|
miraculous cure that was wrought upon him by the power of Christ, in
|
|
his name, and with a design to confirm and ratify that doctrine of
|
|
Christ which was now preached to the world.
|
|
|
|
2. They all submitted to the convincing proof and evidence there was in
|
|
this of the divine origin of the Christian doctrine, and <I>turned to
|
|
the Lord,</I> to the Lord Jesus. They turned from Judaism to
|
|
Christianity; they embraced the doctrine of Christ, and submitted to
|
|
his ordinances, and turned themselves over to him to be ruled and
|
|
taught and saved by him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac9_43"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Tabitha Raised to Life.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,
|
|
which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of
|
|
good works and almsdeeds which she did.
|
|
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and
|
|
died: whom when they had washed, they laid <I>her</I> in an upper
|
|
chamber.
|
|
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples
|
|
had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men,
|
|
desiring <I>him</I> that he would not delay to come to them.
|
|
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they
|
|
brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by
|
|
him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas
|
|
made, while she was with them.
|
|
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed;
|
|
and turning <I>him</I> to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she
|
|
opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
|
|
41 And he gave her <I>his</I> hand, and lifted her up, and when he
|
|
had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
|
|
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in
|
|
the Lord.
|
|
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with
|
|
one Simon a tanner.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we have another miracle wrought by Peter, for the confirming of
|
|
the gospel, and which exceeded the former--the raising of Tabitha to
|
|
life when she had been for some time dead. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The life, and death, and character of Tabitha, on whom this miracle
|
|
was wrought,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:36,37"><I>v.</I> 36, 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. She lived at Joppa, a sea-port town in the tribe of Dan, where Jonah
|
|
took shipping to go to Tarshish, now called <I>Japho.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Her name was <I>Tabitha,</I> a Hebrew name, the Greek for which is
|
|
<I>Dorcas,</I> both signifying a <I>doe,</I> or <I>hind,</I> or
|
|
<I>deer,</I> a pleasant creature. <I>Naphtali</I> is compared to <I>a
|
|
hind let loose, giving goodly words;</I> and the wife to the kind and
|
|
tender husband is as the loving <I>hind,</I> and as the pleasant
|
|
<I>roe,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+5:19">Prov. v. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. She was a disciple, one that had embraced the faith of Christ and
|
|
was baptized; and not only so, but was eminent above many for works of
|
|
charity. She showed her faith by her works, her good works, which she
|
|
was full of, that is, in which she abounded. Her head was full of cares
|
|
and contrivances which way she should do good. She <I>devised liberal
|
|
things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:8">Isa. xxxii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Her hands were full of good employment; she made a business of doing
|
|
good, was never idle, having learned to <I>maintain good works</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+3:8">Tit. iii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
to keep up a constant course and method of them. She was <I>full of
|
|
good works,</I> as a tree that is full of fruit. Many are full of good
|
|
words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great
|
|
doer, no great talker: <I>Non magna loquimur, sed vivimus--We do not
|
|
talk great things, but we live them.</I> Among other good works, she
|
|
was remarkable for her <I>alms--deeds, which she did,</I> not only her
|
|
works of piety, which are good works and the fruits of faith, but works
|
|
of charity and beneficence, flowing from love to her neighbour and a
|
|
holy contempt of this world. Observe, She is commended not only for the
|
|
alms which she gave, but for the alms--deeds which she did. Those that
|
|
have not estates wherewith to give in charity may yet be able to do in
|
|
charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the
|
|
benefit of the poor. And those who will not do a charitable deed,
|
|
whatever they may pretend, if they were rich would not bestow a
|
|
charitable gift. She was full of alms--deeds, <B><I>hon
|
|
epoiei</I></B>--<I>which she made;</I> there is an emphasis upon her
|
|
<I>doing</I> them, because what her hand found to do of this kind she
|
|
did with all her might, and persevered in. They were alms--deeds, not
|
|
which she purposed and designed and said she would do, but which she
|
|
did; not which she began to do, but which she did, which she went
|
|
through with, which she performed the doing of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+8:11,9:7">2 Cor. viii. 11; ix. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is the life and character of a certain disciple,; and should be of
|
|
all the disciples of Christ; for, if we thus bear much fruit, then are
|
|
we his disciples indeed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:8">John xv. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
4. She was removed in the midst of her usefulness
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>In those days she fell sick, and died.</I> It is promised to those
|
|
who consider the poor, not that they shall never be sick, but that the
|
|
Lord will <I>strengthen them upon the bed of languishing,</I> at least
|
|
with strength in their souls, and so will <I>make all their bed in
|
|
their sickness,</I> will make it easy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+41:1,3">Ps. xli. 1, 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
They cannot hope that they shall never die (<I>merciful men are taken
|
|
away,</I> and merciful women too, witness Tabitha), but they may hope
|
|
that they shall <I>find mercy of the Lord in that day,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:18">2 Tim. i. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
5. Her friends and those about her did not presently bury her, as
|
|
usual, because they were in hopes Peter would come and raise her to
|
|
life again; but they <I>washed the dead body,</I> according to the
|
|
custom, which, it is said, was with warm water, which, if there were
|
|
any life remaining in the body, would recover it; so that this was done
|
|
to show that she was really and truly dead. They tried all the usual
|
|
methods to bring her to life, and could not. <I>Conclamatum est--the
|
|
last cry was uttered.</I> They <I>laid her out</I> in her grave-clothes
|
|
<I>in an upper chamber,</I> which Dr. Lightfoot thinks was probably the
|
|
public meeting-room for the believers of that town; and they laid the
|
|
body there, that Peter, if he would come, might raise her to life the
|
|
more solemnly in that place.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The request which her Christian friends sent to Peter to come to
|
|
them with all speed, not to attend the funeral, but, if it might be, to
|
|
prevent it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
Lydda, where Peter now was, was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples at
|
|
Joppa had heard that Peter was there, and that he had raised Eneas from
|
|
a bed of languishing; and therefore they <I>sent him two men,</I> to
|
|
make the message the more solemn and respectful, <I>desiring him that
|
|
he would not delay to come to them;</I> not telling him the occasion,
|
|
lest he should modestly decline coming upon so great an errand as to
|
|
raise the dead: if they can but get him to them, they will leave it to
|
|
him. Their friend was dead, and it was too late to send for a
|
|
physician, but not too late to send for Peter. <I>Post mortem
|
|
medicus--a physician after death,</I> is an absurdity, but not <I>Post
|
|
mortem apostolus--an apostle after death.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The posture in which he found the survivors, when he came to them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Peter arose and went with them.</I> Though they did not tell him
|
|
what they wanted him for, yet he was willing to go along with them,
|
|
believing it was upon some good account or other that he was sent for.
|
|
Let not faithful ministers grudge to be at every body's beck, as far as
|
|
they have ability, when the great apostle <I>made himself the servant
|
|
of all,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:19">1 Cor. ix. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
He found the corpse laid in the upper chamber, and attended by widows,
|
|
probably such as were in the communion of the church, poor widows;
|
|
there they were,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Commending the deceased--a good work, when there was that in them
|
|
which was truly commendable, and worthy of imitation, and when it is
|
|
done modestly and soberly, and without flattery of the survivors or any
|
|
sinister intention, but purely for the glory of God and the exciting of
|
|
others to that which is virtuous and praiseworthy. The commendation of
|
|
Tabitha was like her own virtues, not in word, but in deed. Here were
|
|
no encomiums of her in orations, nor poems inscribed to her memory; but
|
|
<I>the widows showed the coats and garments which she made</I> for
|
|
them, and bestowed upon them <I>while she was with them.</I> It was the
|
|
comfort of Job, while he lived, that the loins of the poor blessed him,
|
|
because they were warmed with the fleece of his sheep,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:20">Job xxxi. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
And here it was the credit of Tabitha, when she was dead, that the
|
|
backs of the widows praised her for the garments which she made them.
|
|
And those are certainly best praised <I>whose own works praise them in
|
|
the gates,</I> whether the words of others do or no. It is much more
|
|
honourable to clothe a company of decrepit widows with needful clothing
|
|
for night and day, who will pray for their benefactors when they do not
|
|
see them, than to clothe a company of lazy footmen with rich liveries,
|
|
who perhaps behind their backs will curse those that clothe them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:21">Eccl. vii. 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
and it is what all that are wise and good will take a greater pleasure
|
|
in, for goodness is true greatness, and will pass better in the account
|
|
shortly. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Into what channel Tabitha turned much of her charity. Doubtless
|
|
there were other instances of her alms--deeds which she did, but this
|
|
was now produced; she did, as it should seem with her own hands,
|
|
<I>make coats and garments</I> for poor widows, who perhaps with their
|
|
own labour could make a shift to get their bread, but could not earn
|
|
enough to buy clothes. And this is an excellent piece of charity, <I>If
|
|
thou seest the naked, that thou cover him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:7">Isa. lviii. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
and not think it enough to say, <I>Be ye warmed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:15,16">James ii. 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What a grateful sense the poor had of her kindness: <I>They showed
|
|
the coats,</I> not ashamed to own that they were indebted to her for
|
|
the clothes on their backs. Those are horribly ungrateful indeed who
|
|
have kindness shown them and will not make at least an acknowledgment
|
|
of it, by showing the kindness that is done them, as these widows here
|
|
did. Those who receive alms are not obliged so industriously to
|
|
conceal it, as those are who give alms. When the poor reflect upon the
|
|
rich as uncharitable and unmerciful, they ought to reflect upon
|
|
themselves, and consider whether they are not unthankful and
|
|
ungrateful. Their showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made
|
|
tended to the praise not only of her charity, but of her industry,
|
|
according to the character of the virtuous woman, that she <I>lays her
|
|
hands to the spindle,</I> or at least to the needle, and then
|
|
<I>stretches out her hand to the poor,</I> and <I>reaches forth her
|
|
hands to the needy,</I> of what she has worked; and, when God and the
|
|
poor have thus had their due, <I>she makes herself coverings of
|
|
tapestry</I> and <I>her</I> own <I>clothing is silk and purple,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:19-22">Prov. xxxi. 19-22</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They were here lamenting the loss of her: The widows stood by Peter,
|
|
weeping. When the merciful are taken away, it should be laid to heart,
|
|
especially by those to whom they have been in a particular manner
|
|
merciful. They need not weep for her; she is taken from the evil to
|
|
come, <I>she rests from her labours and her works follow her,</I>
|
|
besides those she leaves behind her: but they weep for themselves and
|
|
for their children, who will soon find the want of such a good woman,
|
|
that has not left her fellow. Observe, They take notice of what good
|
|
Dorcas did <I>while she was with them,</I> but now she is gone from
|
|
them, and this is their grief. Those that are charitable will find that
|
|
the <I>poor they have always with them;</I> but it is well if those
|
|
that are poor find that they have always the charitable with them. We
|
|
must make a good use of the lights that yet a little while are with us,
|
|
because they will not be always with us, will not be long with us: and
|
|
when they are gone we shall think what they did when they were with us.
|
|
It should seem, the widows wept before Peter, as an inducement to him,
|
|
if he could do any thing, to have compassion on them and help them, and
|
|
restore one to them that used to have compassion on them. When
|
|
charitable people are dead, there is no praying them to life again;
|
|
but, when they are sick, this piece of gratitude is owing to them, to
|
|
pray for their recovery, that, if it be the will of God, those may be
|
|
spared to live who can ill be spared to die.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The manner in which she was raised to life.
|
|
|
|
1. Privately: She was laid in the upper room where they used to have
|
|
their public meetings, and, it should seem, there was great crowding
|
|
about the dead body, in expectation of what would be done; <I>but Peter
|
|
put them all forth,</I> all the weeping widows, all but some few
|
|
relations of the family, or perhaps the heads of the church, to join
|
|
with him in prayer; as Christ did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+9:25">Matt. ix. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus Peter declined every thing that looked like vainglory and
|
|
ostentation; they came to see, but he did not come to be seen. He put
|
|
them all forth, that he might with the more freedom pour out his soul
|
|
before God in prayer upon this occasion, and not be disturbed with
|
|
their noisy and clamorous lamentations.
|
|
|
|
2. By prayer. In his healing Eneas there was an implied prayer, but in
|
|
this greater work he addressed himself to God by solemn prayer, as
|
|
Christ when he raised Lazarus; but Christ's prayer was with the
|
|
authority of a Son, who <I>quickens whom he will;</I> Peter's with the
|
|
submission of a servant, who is under direction, and therefore he
|
|
<I>knelt down and prayed.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. By the word, a quickening word, a word which is spirit and life:
|
|
<I>He turned to the body,</I> which intimates that when he prayed he
|
|
turned from it; lest the sight of it should discourage his faith, he
|
|
looked another way, to teach us, like Abraham, <I>against hope, to
|
|
believe in hope,</I> and overlook the difficulties that lie in the way,
|
|
<I>not considering the body as now dead,</I> lest we should <I>stagger
|
|
at the promise,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:19,20">Rom. iv. 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
But, when he had prayed, he <I>turned to the body,</I> and spoke in his
|
|
Master's name, according to his example: "<I>Tabitha, arise;</I> return
|
|
to life again." Power went along with this word, and she came to life,
|
|
<I>opened her eyes</I> which death had closed. Thus, in the raising of
|
|
dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the opening of
|
|
the eyes of the mind,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:18"><I>ch.</I> xxvi. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
When she saw Peter, she sat up, to show that she was really and truly
|
|
alive; and
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>he gave her his hand and lifted her up,</I> not as if she laboured
|
|
under any remaining weakness, but thus he would as it were welcome her
|
|
to life again, and give her the right hand of fellowship among the
|
|
living, from whom she had been cut off. And, <I>lastly,</I> he
|
|
<I>called the saints and widows,</I> who were all in sorrow for her
|
|
death, and <I>presented her alive</I> to them, to their great comfort,
|
|
particularly of the widows, who laid her death much to heart
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>);
|
|
|
|
to them he presented her, as Elijah
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+17:23">1 Kings xvii. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Elisha
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:36">2 Kings iv. 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+7:15">Luke vii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
presented the dead sons alive to their mothers. The greatest joy and
|
|
satisfaction are expressed by life from the dead.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The good effect of this miracle.
|
|
|
|
1. Many were by it convinced of the truth of the gospel, that is was
|
|
from heaven, and not of men, and believed in the Lord,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
|
|
|
The thing was <I>known throughout all Joppa;</I> it would be in every
|
|
body's mouth quickly, and, it being a town of seafaring men, the notice
|
|
of it would be the sooner carried thence to other countries, and though
|
|
some never minded it many were wrought upon by it. This was the design
|
|
of miracles, to confirm a divine revelation.
|
|
|
|
2. Peter was hereby induced to continue some time in this city,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>.
|
|
|
|
Finding that a door of opportunity was opened for him there, he tarried
|
|
there many days, till he was sent thence, and sent for thence upon
|
|
business to another place. He tarried not in the house of Tabitha,
|
|
though she was rich, lest he should seem to seek his own glory; but he
|
|
took up his lodgings with one Simon a tanner, an ordinary tradesman,
|
|
which is an instance of his condescension and humility: and hereby he
|
|
has taught us not to <I>mind high things, but to condescend to those of
|
|
low estate,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:16">Rom. xii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, though Peter might seem to be buried in obscurity here in the
|
|
house of a poor tanner by the sea-side, yet hence God fetched him to a
|
|
noble piece of service, which is recorded in the next chapter; for
|
|
<I>those that humble themselves shall be exalted.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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