And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. (20) Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. (21) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, (22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (23) And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (24) And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. (25) And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: (26) And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. (27) And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (28) And there they abode long time with the disciples.
It is worthy observation, how fluctuating and inconstant the minds of men are, in respect to religious things, where the heart is not established in grace. Here are those very persons, of whom we read in a few preceding verses, which would have offered, in the extravagance of their zeal, divine honors to Paul and Barnabas, would now stone them. And was it not so with the Lord Jesus? The multitude, which hailed him with Hosannas, within a few days after, cried out, Crucify him, Crucify him. So it hath been, and so will it be, in all ages of the Church, during the present time-state of her pilgrimage. See notes on Luke 4:32. See also Matthew 10:21-25; John 15:18-21. Paul seems to have referred to this treatment, 2 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Timothy 3:10-11
I pray the Reader not to overlook the faith and boldness of Paul, who, although he had been stoned at Lystra; yet shunned not to go there, for a second benefit to the Church. And Iconium, however undeserving, shall not lose the blessings of his labors, where the Lord had before owned his ministry, though there were many adversaries, 1 Corinthians 16:9. If the Reader would see Paul's comment upon this part of his history, he may read it: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13. Oh! that all ministers of Christ, had the grace to be like him, faithful!
I detain the Reader in the close of this Chapter, to notice what is said about confirming the souls of the disciples. By which we are authorized to conclude, that those were partakers of grace. For otherwise, they could not be confirmed, in what they were not. And, indeed, we are told as much, in the opening of this Chapter. A great multitude, (it. is said) both of Jews and Greeks, believed (Acts 15:1). So that they were real regenerated followers of the Lord. It was highly proper, that they should be confirmed in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Whether there was any particular service used upon this occasion, is not said. Some of the old writers have said much, in contending that there was. Others have said not. But, on the supposition that there was, it should seem to have been more than probable, agreeable to primitive times, the ordinance was accompanied with the breaking of bread, and of prayer. See Acts 2:46-47, and Acts 20:36. And, if such was the service of Confirmation, it must have been a blessed service; where both the persons confirming, and the persons confirmed, were all in grace, Acts 11:24; Galatians 1:15-16. All the beholders of such an assembly must have felt, what Paul himself describes, of one coming into a similar congregation of spiritual worshippers; and, being smitten with a deep sense of what he had heard and felt, would fall upon his face, and worship God; and report that God was in them of a truth! 1 Corinthians 14:25
We have a short, but it is an interesting account, of an Ordination held by the Apostles, And truly, it must have, been altogether Apostolical. It appears to have been observed in prayer and fasting: and then the Apostles commended the Elders to the Lord in whom they believed. And these things, for the most part, are all that comes within the province of man in ordination to perform. For the ordination itself, must be of the Lord. Christ, as the Head of his body the Church, appoints his under Shepherds, in his fold. And God the Holy Ghost consecrates, and ordains them. And, oh! how truly called, separated, and sent forth to the service of the sanctuary, who are thus anointed by the sovereign unction of God the Holy Ghost? What may not be expected, from such a ministry? What blessings are too great to look for in that Church, where the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God, come forth in the authority of Jesus, ordained by God the Holy Ghost; and through grace, are enabled to give themselves first to the Lord, and then to his people? See Acts 13:2 and Commentary. Holy, Blessed, and Eternal Spirit! in love and compassion to thy Church, send forth Pastors after thine own heart, to feed thy people with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 2:15.