Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/102

96 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; 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 he needed not, as some others, epistles of commendation, 2 Cor. 3. 1. Note, The introducing of a young convert into the communion of the faithful, is a very good work, and which, as we have opportunity, we should be ready to.

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 coming in, and going out, with the apostles, (v. 28.) 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; (v. 29.) He spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. Note, Those that speak for Christ, have reason to speak boldly; for they have a good cause, and speak for one who will at least 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; The Grecians, when they found they could not deal with him in disputation, contrived to silence him another way; they went about to slay him, as they did Stephen, when they could not resist the Spirit by which he spake, ch. 6. 10. 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; (v. 30.) When the brethren knew what was designed against him, they brought him down to Cesarea. 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, in hopes he might 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, (ch. 22. 17, 18.) that Christ now appeared to him, and ordered him to go quickly out of Jerusalem, for he must be sent to the Gentiles, v. 21. Those by whom God has work to do, shall be protected from all the designs of their enemies against them till it is done. Christ's witnesses cannot be slain till they have finished their testimony.

III. The churches had now a comfortable gleam of liberty and peace; (v. 31.) ''Then had the churches rest. Then'', 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, then, when he was 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 was gone out of the way. Observe,

1. The churches had rest. 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.

2. They made a good use of this lucid interval. Instead ot growing 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 were edified, 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 walked in the fear of the Lord; were more exemplary themselves for a holy heavenly conversation. They lived so as that all who conversed with them might say, Surely the fear of God reigns in those people. (3.) They walked in the comfort of the Holy Ghost; they were not only faithful, but cheerful, in religion; they stuck to the ways of the Lord, and sang in those ways. The comfort of the Holy Ghost 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 in the fear of the Lord, then they walked in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Those are most likely to walk cheerfully, that walk circumspectly.

3. God blessed it to them for their increase in number; They were multiplied. 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, then, when they walked in the fear of God and his comforts, then they were multiplied. Thus they that will not be won by the word, may be won by the conversation of professors.

32. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33. And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35. And all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Here we have,

I. The visit Peter made to the churches that were newly planted by the dispersed preachers, v. 32.

1. He passed through all quarters; 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 the Holy Ghost on them that believed, and to ordain ministers. He passed —among them all, who pertained to the churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, mentioned in the foregoing