Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/148

142 miracles they wrought in the kingdom of nature, as well as the wonders done by their word, in the greater miracles wrought on men's minds by the power of divine grace. The Lord was with them, while they were with him, and abundance of good was done.

V. The division which this occasioned in the city; (v. 4.) The multitude of the city was divided into two parties, and both active and vigorous; among the rulers and persons of rank, and among the common people, there were some that held with the unbelieving Jews, and others that held with the apostles. Barnabas is here reckoned an apostle, though not one of the twelve, nor called in the extraordinary manner that Paul was, because set apart by special designation of the Holy Ghost to the service of the Gentiles. It seems, this business of the preaching of the gospel was so universally taken notice of with concern, that every person, even of the multitude of the city, was either for it or against it; none stood neuter. "Either for us or for our adversaries; for God or Baal; for Christ or Beelzebub."

1. We may here see the meaning of Christ's prediction, that he came not to send peace upon earth, but rather division, Luke 12. 51—53. If all would have given in unanimously into his measures, there had been universal concord; and could men have agreed in that, there would have been no dangerous discord or disagreement in other things; but disagreeing here, the breach was wide as the sea. Yet the apostles must not be blamed for coming to Iconium, because before they came the city was united, but now it was divided; for it is better that part of the city go to heaven than all to hell.

2. We may here take the measures of our expectations; let us not think it strange, if the preaching of the gospel occasion division, nor be offended at it; it is better to be reproached and persecuted as dividers for swimming against the stream, than yield ourselves to be carried down the stream that leads to destruction. Let us hold with the apostles, and not fear them that hold with the Jews.

VI. The attempt made upon the apostles by their enemies; their evil affection against them broke out at length into violent outrages, v. 5. Observe,

1. Who the plotters were; both the Gentiles, and the Jews, with their rulers. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another, and yet united against Christians, like Herod and Pilate, Sadducees and Pharisees, against Christ; and like Gebal and Ammon, and Amalek, of old, against Israel. If the church's enemies can thus unite for its destruction, shall not its friends, laying aside all personal feuds, unite for its preservation?

2. What the plot was; having, now got the rulers on their side, they doubted not but to carry their point, and their design was to use the apostles despitefully, to expose them to disgrace, and then to stone them, to put them to death; and thus they hoped to sink their cause; they aimed to take away both their reputation and their life, and that was all they had to lose which they could take from them, for they had neither lands nor goods.

VII. The deliverance of the apostles out of the hands of those wicked and unreasonable men, v. 6, 7. They got away, upon notice given them of the design against them, or the beginning of the attempt upon them, which they were soon aware of, and they made an honourable retreat (for it was not an inglorious flight) to Lystra and Derbe; and there,

1. They found safety; their persecutors in Iconium were for the present satisfied that they were thrust out of their borders, and pursued them no further. God has shelters for his people in a storm; nay, he is, and will be, himself their Hiding-place.

2. They found work, and that was it they went for; when the door of opportunity was shut against them at Iconium, it was opened at Lystra and Derbe; to those cities they went, and there, and in the region that lieth round about, they preached the gospel. In times of persecution ministers may see cause to quit the spot, when yet they do not quit the work.

8. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9. The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10. Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15. And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

In these verses we have,

I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculously cured by Peter and John, ch. 3. 2. That introduced the gospel among the Jews, this among the Gentiles; both that and this were designed to represent the impotency of all the children of men in spiritual things; they are lame from their birth, till the grace of God puts strength into them; for it was when we were yet without strength, that Christ died for the ungodly, Rom. 5. 6. Observe here,

1. The deplorable case of the poor cripple; (v. 8.) He was impotent in his feet, disabled, (so the word is,) to that degree, that it was impossible he should set his foot to the ground, to lay any stress upon it. It was well known that he had been so from his mother's womb, and that he never had walked, or could stand up. We should take occasion from hence, to thank God for the use of our limbs; and those who are deprived of it, may observe that their case is not singular.

2. The expectation that was raised in him of a cure; (v. 9.) He heard Paul preach, and, it is likely,