Bible Commentaries
Acts 14

Verse 22

DISCOURSE: 1781
TRIBULATION THE WAY TO HEAVEN

Acts 14:22. We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

REAL fortitude is shewn, not more in overcoming difficulties which unexpectedly occur, than in encountering firmly those which are foreseen. In order to meet trials aright, we must be armed with a heavenly principle: and hence arises the need of a fixed principle in the heart of a Christian; since he is assured, that he shall have many enemies to conflict with, and that his way to heaven lies through much tribulation. This is declared to us by an inspired Apostle; who himself experienced the truth of it, and has forewarned us to expect that it shall also be fulfilled in us.
Let us consider his testimony,

I.

As confirmed in him—

The whole life of the Apostle, after he embraced the faith of Christ, was an illustration and proof of this truth. View him—

1.

On this occasion—

[If ever he might have hoped to escape persecution, it was at this time. Consider what he had done in restoring a man who had been a cripple from the womb; and what a spirit the people had manifested towards him, in ascribing to him divine honour, and bringing sacrifices to him as unto a god: Could it be thought that he was in any danger at that place? Yet, behold, no sooner did Jews come from Antioch and Iconium to stir up the people against him, than their minds were changed, and they stoned him as an impostor, whom they had just before proposed to worship as a god: so rapid was the transition from one extreme to another. Just as, in the case of our blessed Lord, there was but an interval of three days between the acclamations of the populace, and the universal cry of “Crucify him, crucify him,” so there was but a step between the deification and destruction of this blessed man.]

2.

Through the whole course of his ministry—

[Like his adorable Master, the Lord Jesus, he was truly “a man of sorrows.” Indeed he expected that he should be so, and forewarned his converts respecting it, lest, when they saw the treatment he received, they should be discouraged [Note: 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4.]. When speaking of his sufferings some years afterwards, he especially referred to this particular occasion [Note: 2 Timothy 3:10-11.]: but, in fact, it made only a single article out of a long catalogue of trials, which attended him through life [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.].]

We are apt to think that persecution was the lot of Christians only in the first ages of the Church: but the Apostle’s testimony relates to all Christians of every age; and must therefore be considered,

II.

As to be realized in us—

It is a fact that all zealous Christians are persecuted—
[We say not that persecution rages equally at all times; but we affirm, that lively and zealous Christians are hated by the world [Note: Matthew 10:22. Joh 15:18-19.]: that “those who are born after the flesh do still persecute those who are born after the Spirit [Note: Galatians 4:29.].” There are seasons indeed when the world may seem to favour a servant of God; but, in the midst of all their seeming kindness, there is in their hearts a rooted enmity against him, which, like sediment in clear water, will shew itself, the very instant it is stirred. It needs but little to inflame a whole community against him. They can hear unkind reports respecting others, and disregard them; but in every thing that leads to the disadvantage of a child of God, they take an interest; and, like inflammable matter, easily communicate the malignant fire to each other, so as rapidly to produce a general conflagration [Note: Psalms 57:4; Psalms 64:3-6.]. And hence every believer is fore-warned to expect persecution as his proper and certain lot [Note: 2 Timothy 3:12.].]

And God has graciously ordained, that trials shall attend us for our good—
[Our blessed Lord “learned obedience by the things that he suffered,” and “was made perfect by sufferings:” and we are to be conformed to him in these respects: we must “suffer with him, in order that we may be glorified together [Note: 1 Peter 2:21.Romans 8:17; Romans 8:17; Romans 8:29.]. There is in us a great deal of “dross and tin,” which, in the furnace of affliction, must be purged away [Note: Isaiah 1:25.]. Our graces also must be exercised and confirmed by means of trials, which are altogether necessary to call them forth [Note: Romans 5:3-4.]: and to the graces so exercised will our eternal weight of glory be proportioned [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:17.].]

Address—
1.

To those who are the friends of this world—

[This is a state, which, though greatly desired by men in general, is not by any means to be coveted; for it proves infallibly that we are not faithful to our God [Note: James 4:4.]. It is not possible for light and darkness to coalesce, or for Christ and Belial to agree together [Note: 2 Corinthians 6:15-16.]. It were better far to be hated of all men for the Lord’s sake, than to incur his displeasure for the sake of retaining their good opinion.]

2.

Those who suffer for the Lord’s sake—

[Be not surprised at any thing that you suffer [Note: 1 Peter 4:12-16.], nor be grieved at it. The inspired writers speak of your trials as a just occasion of joy [Note: James 1:2-3; James 1:12.]. Only endeavour to improve them aright [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13.]; and you will never complain of the difficulties of the way, when you have reached your journey’s end [Note: Romans 7:14.].]

Verse 27

DISCOURSE: 1782
SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL A GROUND OF JOY

Acts 14:27. 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.

A VERY distinguishing feature of primitive Christianity was, that, whilst it filled all its votaries with an anxiety for their own souls, it inspired them also with a love to the souls of others, and with a zeal for the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom through the world. True it is, indeed, that, on the occasion before us, the separating of Paul and Barnabas to the work of preaching to the Gentiles originated, not with the people of Antioch, but with God himself, who gave a special command respecting it [Note: Acts 13:2-4.]. Yet it is evident, that the whole Church took a lively interest in it; and came together afterwards, with great delight, to hear all that had occurred during this benevolent, but arduous, excursion.

Through the tender mercy of our God, somewhat of a similar spirit has arisen in our day: so that I can scarcely enter on a more gratifying subject with you, than to shew,

I.

The interest which the primitive Church took in the work of God—

The people expressed no reluctance at parting with Paul and Barnabas—
[We cannot doubt but that the ministry of these two men at Antioch was most beneficial to the people’s souls: yet we read of no reluctance on the part of the Church in surrendering up their own personal benefit for the good of others. They resembled the Apostle Paul, who, in all such cases, “sought not his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved [Note: 1 Corinthians 10:33.].” — — —]

Nor did the Apostles manifest any backwardness to undertake this dangerous enterprise—
[We can have no doubt, but that, however much they might delight in their stated labours amongst a people united to them in the bonds of Christian love, they gladly addressed themselves to the work assigned them, where they would find little but incessant labour, amidst the fiercest opposition. And from their perseverance in it under such circumstances, and from the pleasure which they expressed afterwards in recording all the dealings of God with them, and the happy effects of their ministrations, it is clear that one feeling pervaded the whole body; and that all, both ministers and people, found their chief happiness in the service of their God. Nor can we doubt but that they all rejoiced in the sacrifices they had made, when they saw what benefits had resulted from them to the Gentile world. They had fasted and prayed when these two Apostles were separated to their work: and, that they abounded in praises and thanksgivings after their return, we may be well assured.]
Such being the habit of Christians in the first age, let us consider,

II.

The instruction to be derived from it—

We are well aware, that the call of men to special labours, in this day, is not by any means so clear and determinate as in the case before us: nor do we intend to place any events of the present time on a footing with those which took place, under the particular direction of heaven, in the apostolic age. Yet, from the dispositions evinced by the primitive Church, we may clearly see,

1.

That the work of God is confessedly the greatest of all concerns—

[What is there that can be compared with it? The government of kingdoms is little in comparison. The rise and fall of the four great empires would scarcely have been deemed worthy of notice, but for the influence they had in introducing the Messiah’s kingdom, which was to supersede and survive them all. It is the establishment of this kingdom which God has had in view, from before the foundation of the world. All his eternal counsels have had respect to it: all his dispensations towards the whole world have been ordered in subserviency to it: all his perfections are displayed in it, and all his purposes completed: and everyone that labours for the advancement of it is “a worker together with God.” The first archangel in heaven cannot find a more honourable employment than that of helping forward God’s designs in reference to it: much more, therefore, may man account it the only object worthy of his pursuit.]

2.

That it is an object for which we all, according to our ability, should labour—

[The advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom is not the work of ministers only, but of the people also. It can scarcely be credited, how much an efficient ministry is aided by the co-operation of private Christians, in all the different works and labours of love. Many will listen to them, who would regard the admonition of pastors as a mere official ceremony, or an impertinent intrusion. Indeed, it is not possible for ministers to do every thing: even a Moses required seventy elders to assist him: and, at this day, it is only by the united exertions of many, that the work of God in general, and that of missions in particular, can be carried forward. Nor let it be imagined that the poor are incapable of affording aid to the common cause: for they, if they cannot assist materially either by intellectual efforts or pecuniary contributions, may, by their prayers for the Divine blessing, effect more than the whole world combined could by their own personal exertions.]

3.

That the success of it should be to us a source of the sublimest joy—

[With what raised expectations did the Church of Antioch meet together; and with what joy did they hear that “God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles!” Methinks the whole assembly lost, for the time, all thought of their own personal welfare, being swallowed up with the delightful contemplation of the welfare of others. Surely, with one heart and one voice they glorified God for the mercy he had vouchsafed to a sinful and idolatrous world. And should not a similar feeling pervade us Gentiles, in relation to the Jews, if there be any awakening amongst them? Truly, if there be, as in Ezekiel’s vision, any stir among “the dry bones,” whether they be those of Jews or Gentiles, or of persons bearing the Christian name, it should fill our souls with gratitude, and our lips with praise — — —]

Let us now improve this subject,
1.

In a way of inquiry—

[What is the state of God’s work amongst you? “The door of faith,” as you well know, “has been long opened to you.” Have you entered in? or, are you yet but on the threshold, or perhaps yet standing afar off? Think with yourselves: have you truly come to Christ, and believed in Christ as the only Saviour of your souls? — — — And, supposing you to have entered the vestibule of God’s temple, have you advanced into the sanctuary? We read of those “whose faith and love grew exceedingly;” and so should yours grow: nor should you ever cease to press forward, till you are come into the holy of holies, even into the immediate presence of your God — — —]

2.

In a way of information—

[God’s work, I trust, is really going forward in the world [Note: Here any particulars may be mentioned, only with diffidence and modesty.] — — — And this at least I can say, that, whether we have laboured and suffered for the Lord, or only followed with our prayers those who have laboured, we have no cause to complain that we have either laboured in vain, or prayed in. vain — — —]

3.

In a way of excitement—

[All of us have a work to do; a work to which God himself has called us, and to which at the baptismal font we were set apart. Let me ask, then, whether we have engaged heartily in it? and whether, if we were called to give an account of it at this moment, we could say, “Father, I have finished the work which thou hast given me to do?” Know assuredly, that the whole Church will speedily be convened before the Judge of quick and dead: and “then must every one of us give account of himself to God.” Say, brethren, whether, if called to that account, we should now “give it up with joy,” or whether it would be “given up with grief.” Let us think, also, what account we shall give of the efforts we have made in behalf of others. Have we “minded, not our own things only, but every one of us the things of others also?” Have we ourselves laboured, or have we, with prayer and fasting, co-operated, to the utmost of our power, with those who have gone forth to labour, in the cause of God? Think not that this was the duty of the primitive Christians only: it is no less ours than it was theirs. The cause of God ought to be dear to us; and the souls of our fellow-sinners should be precious in our eyes. Our charity, indeed, must begin at home: but it must not end there: it should be extended to the whole world: nor should we relax our efforts for the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom, till “all the kingdoms of the world shall have become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ.”]