And how he had opened the door of faith, &c.— It is certain that the gospel was carried by the apostles, in this journey, to many celebrated countries, which it had never before reached. In the Ottoman empire at this day, when a call, or new levy of janissaries, is made, it is said to be "the opening of a door for janissaries."
Inferences.—Happy are the ministers of Christ, in the midst of labours, and of persecution too, if they have but the presence of their Master with them; if the Lord bear witness to the word of his grace. Almighty Saviour! leave us not destitute of that presence, which is our hope and our joy! but bear witness with all thy faithful servants, while they are bearing their testimony to thee.
Infinite wisdom governs those revolutions in providence, which seems most mysterious. The repeated oppositions which the apostles met with in their work, seemed to threaten their destruction; but they served in effect to render their testimony more credible when borne amid so many dangers: and while they tended especially to exercise the graces of these new converts, and to add a growing evidence to Christianity throughout the remotest ages, they were also the means of spreading the gospel to a greater variety of places, when the apostles were forced to make such short visits at many, through the inhospitality of those, from whom they deserved a far different reception.
The cure of the cripple above mentioned was but one miracle of a thousand which the power of Christ rendered common in those days. The effect of it, one way and another, was very remarkable. The multitude, struck with this exertion of an energy truly divine, by an error to which human nature is, alas! but too incident, fix their eyes on the instruments, and pay that honour to mortal men, which was due only to that God by whom the wonderful operation was wrought. Yet is there a mixture of (what shall I call it?) piety amidst all that superstition, which cannot fail to strike the mind with some pleasure, joined to the compassion we must feel, to find it so wretchedly misguided. When they thought that the gods were come down in human form, they were desirous immediately to pay honour to them. Such was the conduct of Heathens under an idea of the divine presence: what then should that of the sincere Christian be?—The Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh; but alas! in how different a manner was he generally received? With what outrage and infamy, with what malice and contradiction of sinners, instead of that prostrate adoration and praise, to which he had so just and infinite a claim!
How different is the behaviour of the apostles before us! With an honest indignation they reject the homage offered them; they justly conceive it robbery thus to be made equal with God, and regard all these pompous solemnities with horror rather than delight. It was a courageous testimony which they bore to the vanity of those heathen deities, while surrounded with adorers and their priests. Their address in the present critical circumstance is remarkable and exemplary:—while they confess their own infirmities, as weak and mortal men, they, with heroic boldness and sacred truth, proclaim the one living and true God, Creator and Governor of the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is therein. May we follow the fair example, and adore this Almighty Being, as the author of all the blessings of providence, giving us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons; and, while our hearts are filled with food and gladness, may they rejoice to Him, and to Him devote all that vigour which we derive from his daily bounties. Above all, let us praise Him, that we have not these witnesses alone, of his presence, his power, and his goodness; but that he has revealed unto us the clear path of salvation, and given us the true Bread from heaven in a superabundant manner under our high dispensation.
Who would value himself upon the applauses of a multitude, when he sees how soon these changeable inhabitants of Lystra were instigated to assault him as a malefactor, whom but a few days before they were ready to adore as a God; and how easily they were persuaded to exchange the instruments of sacrifice for those of murder! Behold,—they stone him, and drag him out of the city for dead. And who that had seen this lamentable sight, would not have concluded that here the labours of St. Paul were ended, and that henceforward we should hear no more of him in this glorious history? But God, who amidst all their outrage secretly preserved the flame of life from being utterly extinguished, miraculously interposes to heal his wounds and bruises, and on a sudden restores him to perfect health.
And thus could he always have protected his apostles, so that, in a literal sense, not an hair of their heads should have perished: but it was more suitable to those wise maxims on which he proceeded in the government of the world, to suffer them at length to fall by the hands of their enemies, and to pour out their blood, as a seal of their doctrine, and of the sincerity with which they taught it: nor could any death be more glorious, or, when taken in its full connection, any more happy.
With pleasure let us trace these holy men in all the stages of their undaunted and successful course, converting some, confirming others, and, upon the whole, like their divine Master, scattering blessings wherever they come. Let their exhortation still have its power with us to engage our steadfast continuance in the Christian faith, through whatever tribulations we are called to pass. Be the way ever so rugged and painful, it is enough for us that it leads to the kingdom of heaven. Let us thankfully own the divine goodness, in all the assistances that we receive as we pass through life, and particularly in that which all ages derive from the Christian ministry settled in the church by the wise care of its blessed Founder, to be a perpetual blessing to it. May all the prayers which are offered for those, who in succeeding generations are set apart to the work, in those solemn devotions which attend their ordination to it, be heard and answered! And may both ministers and people flourish in knowledge and piety under the constant care of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls!
To conclude. The success which attended these two apostles in their course, and the pleasure with which they returned to the place whence they had so affectionately been recommended to the grace of God, should be an encouragement to our prayers and our labours. Whatever we do in the advancement of the gospel, let us, with these holy men, acknowledge, that God does it by us: and pray, that the door of faith may be opened so wide, that all the nations of the earth may enter in, and be saved.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Though the apostles were so ignominiously treated by the Jews at Antioch, yet did they not desist at Iconium from their accustomed manner of visiting their synagogues in the first place, and making them the offer of the gospel.
1. They went both together into the synagogue, as mutual fellow-helpers, and that out of the mouths of two witnesses every word might be established; and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed; so powerful was their preaching, and so mightily did the Spirit of God bless their ministrations to the conviction and conversion of their hearers.
2. This success, as usual, exasperated the infidel Jews, who spirited up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil-affected against the brethren, by representing them as dangerous men, who were carrying on some bad design. Persecutors would thus always cover malignity under specious pretences.
3. Though the apostles saw the prejudices and rancour entertained against them and their new converts, they were not disheartened, but abode a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, in his glorious cause, and supported by his power and Spirit, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands, as an attestation to the truth of the gospel which they preached. Note; (1.) The gospel is the word of Christ's grace, containing the richest discoveries of free, boundless, and undeserved mercy to the sinful sons of men. (2.) They who go forth in the strength of the Lord, will not be dismayed at the frowns of their enemies.
4. Notwithstanding the malice of the Jews, a strong party was formed for the apostles, and the city was divided, and for a time the persecution was restrained. At last, the Jewish party prevailing, an assault was made both of the Gentiles and Jews, supported by the magistrates, in order to seize the apostles, and to use them despitefully, treating them with every kind of ignominy, and then to stone them, as blasphemers and miscreants unworthy to live. Note; (1.) If the gospel makes a division in a place or city which was before at peace, it is not to be imputed to any tendency which the gracious message has to create such disturbance, but to the enmity of the natural heart against God, which cannot bear to see the power of gospel grace in the conversations of others: and far better is it to bear reproach and persecution, as the troublers of the false peace of sinners, than to suffer them to swim securely down the stream into the gulph of perdition. (2.) If the enemies of the truth are so unanimous in opposition, shall the friends of the gospel be less united in the glorious cause?
5. The apostles got intelligence of this conspiracy, and, to escape from the hands of these blood-thirsty men, fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about; and there they preached the gospel, not desisting from their labours, though compelled to fly for their lives. Thus the enmity of their persecutors contributed but the more to spread that gospel which they opposed.
2nd, During their stay at Lystra, we are told,
1. Of a remarkable cure performed by St. Paul on a man lame from his birth. In the assembly where St. Paul was preaching, the man sat attentive to his discourse, when the apostle steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving, by the spirit of discernment, that he had faith to be healed, and was persuaded of the power with which the apostles were endued to cure his lameness, incurable as it was by any human means; he said with a loud voice, that all present might hear and take notice of the miracle, Stand upright on thy feet; and instantly he leaped and walked, restored to perfect strength. Note; (1.) They who love the word of God, though they are lame, and cannot walk, will be carried to hear it. (2.) The pains which some take to attend God's worship, though lame and infirm, will rise up to condemn the sloth and negligence of those, who, though so much better able to go, remain at home through a miserable indulgence. (3.) When Jesus speaks to impotent but penitent souls in his word, then their hearts exult with holy joy, and they rise to run the way of his commandments.
2. Astonished at what they had seen, the idolatrous Gentiles who were present, concluded, according to the notions of their Pagan theology, that the gods were come down to them in the likeness of men, and, in an extacy of joy at this supposed honour done them, expressed aloud in their own language the sentiments of their hearts; and, agreeable to the absurd ideas which they had received concerning their gods, they called Barnabas, Jupiter, being probably the elder man, and his stature more majestic; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker; Mercury, according to them, being the god of eloquence, and reputed the messenger who went on the errands of Jove and the superior deities. Then the priest of Jupiter who was reputed their patron god, which was before their city, or whose temple stood in the suburbs, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, the place of concourse, where Paul and Barnabas were speaking to the people, and would have done sacrifice with the people, crowning them with their garlands, and offering their sacrifices before them.
3. With horror and indignation, when the apostles perceived their design, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?
Far from suffering the people to continue in so dangerous a mistake, though it brought them such honour, they desired to renounce all such vain-glory, and with earnestness remonstrated against a design so impious and idolatrous. Far from assuming divinity, we also are men of like passions with you, subject to all the infirmities of humanity, and poor worms of the earth, as the rest of mankind, and preach unto you, as ministers and ambassadors of Christ, which is the highest honour we claim, that ye should turn from these vanities, these absurd, useless, unprofitable deities, which are mere nothings, creatures of the fancy, which never existed, and whose worship is the height of folly, as well as impiety; and that ye should be brought unto the worship and service of the living God, who alone is worthy to be feared and adored, as the fountain of life, and the great Creator of all; which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein, visible or invisible; who in times past, in his mysterious ways of providence, which are all righteous and just, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways, with much longsuffering bearing with their provocations. Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, but gave them sufficient evidences of his wisdom and goodness, of his eternal power and Godhead, (Romans 1:20.) in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness, which gifts of his beneficence should have led up our hearts unto him, and left us without excuse in our ignorance, neglect, and unthankfulness towards him: to persist therefore in these abominations of idolatry, now that the gospel light was come unto them, would be peculiarly criminal. Note; (1.) All our temporal mercies should lead up our hearts to God; and, looking above all second causes, the great Author of all should be constantly seen in all the bounties of his providence, in every drop of dew that waters the earth, and in every blade that breaks the clod. (2.) The goodness of God to us should engage our hearts towards him, and, if we lived in ignorance before, we are called to improve what better light he now graciously communicates. (3.) Our gratitude is due to God, not only for the food he bestows, but for the gladness of heart which he gives to make use of his blessings.
4. With these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them; all their expostulations and entreaties with difficulty prevailed upon them to desist, so foolishly obstinate were they in their mistaken persuasion.
3rdly, How fickle is the mind of vain man! how soon are they, who have no foundation, carried about with every wind. They who are deified to-day, are thus often detested to-morrow. It becomes us, if we would have abiding honour, to seek that which cometh from God only.
1. The apostles are brought into the most imminent danger, and St. Paul stoned and left for dead. The Jews, their implacable enemies, followed them from Antioch and Iconium, on purpose to counteract their labours; and with diabolical malice to prevent, to their utmost, the progress of the gospel. And soon they found means to persuade the wavering multitude, that these men were deceivers, turbulent and seditious, and exasperated them so highly, that, seizing St. Paul, against whom they bore the bitterest grudge as the chief preacher, they stoned him in a popular tumult, and drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, lamenting over him, praying that he might be restored to life, or with an intent to bury him, he rose up, quickened by miraculous power; and, notwithstanding the late wounds and bruises that he had received, he came into the city, strengthened in his body, and not daunted in his mind by all that he had endured. Note; True disciples will not forsake their persecuted ministers, but own them in the face of every reproach and danger.
2. The next day Paul departed with Barnabas to Derbe: and when, as usual, they had preached the gospel, and taught, their ministry being blessed to the conversion of many, they returned back again to the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, settling them on Christ the great foundation, that no troubles felt or feared, no caresses or temptations, might move them away from the hope of the gospel; and exhorting them to continue in the faith of Jesus, in the belief of his office, glory, and gospel, and in the bold and open profession of his name; and saying, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God; for which therefore they must prepare, nor count as if some strange thing happened unto them, since all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must, more or less, share this common lot. Note; (1.) They who have received the gospel word, have still need of farther confirmation, that they may be built up on their most holy faith; and ministers must labour to establish the possessors of grace, as well as to awaken the careless. (2.) Nothing but faith can enable us to overcome the snares, the allurements, and discouragements of this present evil world; they who would stand in the evil day must continue to hold fast on Christ.
3. They ordained elders, or presbyters, in every church, to lead their devotions, administer the sacraments, preach the word, and watch over the flock of God committed to their charge; men of gravity and piety, selected from the other disciples, and judged best qualified for the arduous work of the ministry; and having prayed with fasting, for the supplies of grace and the divine benediction upon them, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed, both the elders and their congregations; begging that the Lord, who had begun the good work, would perfect the same; nourishing them up in the words of sound doctrine, and preserving them unto his everlasting kingdom. Note; (1.) The work of the ministry cannot be undertaken with too great solemnity; and they who feel the weight of it, will not fail importunately to seek, by prayer, for more than human power to carry them through. (2.) The best parting of friends is in prayer to the Lord, mutually commending each other to his care and love.
4. The apostles continued their journey to Antioch, in Syria, passing through Pisidia, till they came to Pamphylia, where they preached the word at Perga, a city of that province, and Attalia, another town on the sea-coast; and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God, for the work which they fulfilled; and now were returned from their successful expedition, bringing back a full answer to the prayers that had been put up at their departure. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, ascribing nothing to themselves, but giving him the glory to whom alone the praise of all was due; and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles, great multitudes of whom had been converted to the faith of Jesus. And there, at Antioch, they abode long time with the disciples; comforting, establishing, strengthening them. Note; (1.) Whatever good is done by our preaching, we must remember that all the efficacy proceeds not from us, but from the grace of God. (2.) The way into the kingdom of grace and glory, lies through the door of faith.