well. amongst the indifferent things; because blood, and from things strangled, the Gentiles, though falsely, did think and and from fornication: from which speak it to be so: Non est flagitium ado- if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do lescentem scortari. To prevent therefore well. Fare ус giving offence to the Jews, the Gentiles are required to abstain from these things, till time and fuller acquaintance with the gospel did better inform them concerning their christian liberty. From this example learn, That whenever differences do arise in a church about tolerable matters, and indifferent things, the nearest course to unity, and a charitable compliance, is for both parties to step towards, and meet one another; and what may be left at liberty without apparent prejudice to purity, to be left for peace sake. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner, The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law to whom we gave no such commandment : 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from Observe here, 1. That though the apostles were the infallible deciders, yet the elders, and the whole church, were unanimous consenters; for no contradiction to the determination of this controversy did arise from any hand, but there was a happy acquiescence in this apostolical decision: It pleased the clders, and the whole church. Observe, 2. The decrees of this synod, and the determination of this council at Jerusalem, are committed to writing, and despatched by unprejudiced messengers of their own to the church of the Gentiles, which was at Antioch. In which started this controversy, are sharply redecretal epistle, 1. The false apostles who proved. 2. Paul and Barnabas, for their courage, and constancy, are highly commended. 3. Judas and Silas are mentioned, to testify that these decrees were not forced nor counterfeited. 4. That it would these decrees duly observed, conduce much to their advantage to have 3. The divine authority of these decrees: Observe, they were dictated and directed by the Holy Ghost: It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us. That is, it seemed good unto us, being directed and assisted by the Holy Ghost, whose inspiration and unnecessary things upon you. conduct we have followed, not to impose Where note, That the Holy Ghost is against imposing unnecessary things as necessary, and making them the terms of church-communion. Here are four things imposed; namely, abstaining from meats offered to idols, from blood, from fornication, and from things strangled; but they are called abstaining from fornication and from things necessary things. Two of them, to wit, offered to idols, were of a simple and absolute necessity; the other two, namely, abstaining from things strangled, and from blood, were of an accidental, and temporary necessity for the present time, and till they should be better informed, and to avoid giving scandal to the weak Jews, better understand their liberty in Christ; for afterwards St. Paul showeth that no creature of God is unclean, but that unto the pure all things are pure, 1 Tim. iv. 4. Tit. i. 15. 30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the multitude to gether, they delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. Observe herc, 1. With what fidelity and care Paul and Barnabas, and Judas and Silas, delivered this decretal epistle to the church at Antioch; that is, to the whole body of christians, believing Jews and Gentiles, then and there assembled: When they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle; that is, they called the whole church together, and presented the epistle to them. Observe, 2. How this decree was received; namely, with universal joy and satisfaction: When they had read, they rejoiced. Every one in this christian council was a star devoted by his office to lead men to Christ; but now being gathered together, and condensed into a counsel, they become a most bright and glorious constellation, every way prepared, by the emanations of heavenly light, to guide the church in this obscure affair; and accordingly, their authority being so illustrious and commanding, and the decrees so pious and prudential, their determination was received with uni versal satisfaction: They delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced. Observe, 3. What was the subject matter of their joy, and the special occasion of their rejoicing: They rejoiced for the consolation; that is, for the great consolation which they had, in being freed from the burden of the legal ceremonies, though originally of divine institution, and appointed by God himself. From whence we learn, That liberty from toilsome ceremonies, though originally of divine institution, much more a freedom from superstitious ceremonies of human invention, is matter of great joy to the church of Christ. Lord! what numerous and burdensome ceremonies has the church of Rome imposed upon her blind votaries! When in their worship they would be thought truly zealous, they are really ridiculous. They please themselves perhaps, but cannot please their Maker: all the acceptance they will find with God will be signified to them in that chiding question, "Who hath required these things at your hands?" 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34 Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide. there still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Judas and Silas being prophets; that is, persons extraordinarily inspired, and endued with eminent gifts for teaching and interpreting the holy scriptures; they employed themselves at Antioch, confirming and building up their brethren in the faith of Christ. And after they had stayed at Antioch some time, they were with all kindness dismissed of the church there; and Judas returned to Jerusalem, to acquaint the apos tles with the reception which their letter had met with, and what obedience was readily given to their decrees. 36 And some days after, Paul said urto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren, in where we have preached the word every city of the Lord, and see how they do. Observe here the pious and prudential churches, takes to visit and inspect them; care which St. Paul, who had planted that he might see and understand how they did thrive and grow in the knowledge of Christ, and in their sincere obedience to him. This great apostle had been sowing the good seed of the word of God: his next care is, to examine and enquire whether the envious ones had not sowed tares in his abman's business, are never at an end, but sence. A minister's work, and a husbandin orbem; after plowing and sowing, there run round in a circle: Redit labor actus must be weeding and watering, before reaping and ingathering. Accordingly St. Paul resolves upon the visitation here mentioned; Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. Here note, 1. The visitors, Paul and Barnabas. 2. The visited, our brethren, both the elders and members of the church. 3. The action performed, visiting: the word solicitous scrutiny, lest some errors in their imports a strict view, a most diligent and absence might be crept into the doctrine and conversation of these new-planted churches. 4. The place where the visitation is to be held in every city where they have preached the word of the Lord. Where they had planted, they were obliged to water; and where they had begotten any to the christian faith, they thought it their duty to nurture and nourish them: and therefore, though there were presbyters no doubt in every city, yet Paul and Barnabas challenged to themselves a power of visitation, where they had personally preached. The apostles who first converted them, had a peculiar right to inspect and govern them. Converted souls, and planted churches, must be farther visited, observed, and watered. 5. The end and design of the visitation : to see how they do, and what they do; to take an account of their faith and practice. From the whole observe, 1. A disease which the churches of the apostles' own planting were supposed to be liable and obnoxious to the purest of churches and best of men in this militant and mortal state, are apt to fall into distempers: witness this chapter. Where we find the converted Jews nauseating the bread of life, and making it their choice to pick and eat the rubbish off the partition-wall which Christ had demolished; I mean circumcision, and the legal ceremonies, which, though expired at the death of Christ, and by this time had an honourable burial, yet they attempt to pull out of their graves, and give a resurrection to Such distempers will be in the purest churches, if we consider the hereditary corruption which is in all by nature; the remains of it in those who are renewed by grace, and the endeavours of Satan to solicit these remains, and invite them forth into act and exercise. Observe, 2. The remedy resolved upon for preventing and healing of this disease; namely, apostolical visitation, and episcopal inspection, as the word signifies. The constitution of the church is such, that it cannot continue long in repair, without inspection and government for though the universal church is secure, being built upon a rock, yet particular churches are liable to dilapidations: and accordingly it is the duty of the governors of the church frequently to inspect the authority of those who preach, to examine their doctrines, to enquire into their lives, to gives rules for preserving order, and to censure those who neglect those rules, and disturb that order. In fine, we see the church of Christ must be governed; in that government there must be a superierity in some, and subordination in others; them. superiors must frequently visit, and narrowly inspect the doctrine, the lives, and manners, both of the ministers and members of the church, according to the practice, and example of these two great apostles, Paul and Barnabas; who said, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 40 30 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus : And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches. St. Paul having made a motion to Barnabas, in the foregoing verses, to visit and inspect the new-planted churches, Barnabas very readily complied with the motion; but desired that he might take his nephew John Mark along with him. This St. Paul consented not unto; because he left them at Pamphylia, and did not accompany them constantly in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. St. Paul was in the right; Mark's cowardice in leaving them when they undertook a tedious and hazardous journey to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, was a considerable objection against his present going with them, and weighed more than his consanguinity, or nearness of blood to Barnabas. Accordingly, St. Paul insisted upon it, that he should not go now along with them but this occasioned a very sharp and unhappy contention between them: insomuch, that these two great and good men parted asunder, Barnabas going to Cyprus, and St. Paul to Cilicia; but God overruled this evil for good, causing their separation to tend to the publication and farther spreading of the gospel. Hence learn, 1 How industrious, yea, ambitious, the devil is to sow the seeds of discord and dissension amongst the members, but especially amongst the ministers, of Jesus Christ; and how ready he is to take all occasions to divide them. These holy men of God, these great apostles, whose hearts were united in the work of God, and went hand in hand together to plant and propagate the everlasting gospel, divide among them. selves, and are parted by Satan's policy and their own passions. Learn, 2. That the holiest and wisest of men are but men; men of like passions with other men; and, whilst, on this side of heaven, not wholly free from passionate infirmities. These two great apostles verified here by their actions, what they affirmed before in their words, Acts xiv. 15. We are men of like passions unto you. Learn, 3. That natural affections are apt to oversway the wisest and best of men. Barnabas's great love to his kinsman here prevailed contrary to his judgment. Learn, 4. That such is the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, that he knows how to bring good out of the greatest evil, and to overrule sin itself, and inake it subservient to his own glory and his church's good. The Lord was pleased to overrule these divisions and dissensions betwixt Paul and Barnabas, for enlarging the kingdom of Christ, and for spreading the gospel farther into several nations, Observe, lastly, How this reflection upon John Mark's faint-heartedness in declining the hardships and the hazards of the ministry, made him for the future more vigilant and valiant in the cause of the gospel, which occasioned that kind salutation which St. Paul gives him, Colos. iv. 10. Though sin be only evil, absolutely evil, and infinitely evil, yet the wisdom and goodness of God sanctifies the miscarriages of his saints, rendering them more humble for the time passed, and more watchful and vigilant for time to come. Thus it was with Mark here: he was humbled for his sin, and afterwards became profitable to St. Paul for the ministry, was his fellowlabourer, and the apostle gives a special charge to the Colossians to entertain him kindly whenever he should come unto them, Colos. iv. 10. Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, when he comes unto you, receive him. CHAP. XVI. THEN came he to Derbe and Lystra; and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which that were at Lystra and Iconium. was well reported of by the brethren 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him, because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. The latter end of the foregoing chapter gave us a sad account of a dissension and difference arising between Paul and Barnabas, upon which they parted; Barnabas sails for Cyprus, but what success he had there the scripture says not. St. Paul goes through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, and doing good service for God in his peregrinations and travels. Here observe, That St. Paul and Silas, before they set forth to their work, were in a solemn manner (by prayer) recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, chap. xv. 40. And accordingly their labours are succeeded and blessed. Barnabas and Mark set forth for Cyprus; but we read not of any solemn recommendation of them by the brethren to the grace of God; nor a word of any success they had in their work: teaching us the great necessity of fervent prayer to precede, accompany, and follow the preaching of the gospel. Let ministers pray, and people pray, and engage all the prayers they can for the success of their ministry. Lord, let me steep that seed I sow amongst the people in tears and prayers before I scatter it! O pour out thy Spirit with thy word, that it may be mighty through God for pulling down the strong holds! Verily there is so little efficacy in ordinances, for want of fervent wrestlings with God in prayer. Observe next, The places which Paul and Silas in their travels first came unto; namely, Derbe and Lystra, where he finds young Timothy, whom he takes along with him, and breeds him up for a gospel-minister, calls him his fellow-worker and companion in his travels. Note farther, The account here given of Timothy's birth and parentage; his mother Eunice was a believing Jewess; his father was a Greek, a Gentile; for which reason Timothy was not circumcised, because it was not lawful for the mother to have her child circumcised Paul, intending to take Timothy along with against her husband's consent. Now St. him as his companion in preaching the gospel, that his ministry might be the more acceptable to the Jews, who knew him to be uncircumcised, because the son of an uncircumcised father, he takes him and circumcises him; but at the same time Titus, who was a Gentile, both by father and mother, him he would not circumcise; neither suffering the yoke of circumcision to be laid upon the Gentiles, which God had never imposed, nor would be seen to countenance those who held circumcision necessary to salvation. O what an admirable pattern has this great and humble apostle left to posterity! he became all things to all men, and either used or refused indifferent things, according as the use or disuse of them tended to the church's education, and men's salvation. From whence learn, That in things not absolutely necessary to salvation, christians ought to act prudentially, and either do, or not do, some things of lesser moment, according as it may promote, and best conduce to the church's peace and edification. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And SO were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. The sense is this, That as Paul and Silas passed through the cities in Syria and Cilicia, they delivered to the several churches, as they passed along, the decrees to observe, which were ordained by the apostles and elders met in council at Jerusalem, whereby those churches were established in the faith, and many more every day converted unto Christ. Here note, 1. The messengers which delivered these decrees, Paul and Silas, with a special regard unto the church's unity and peace. Behold here an excellent pattern for christians in general, and the ministers of the gospel in particular; as to maintain truth, so to procure, promote, and preserve the church's peace. Truth and peace, which God hath joined together, Zech. viii. 19. let none dare to put asunder. Note, 2. What it was that St. Paul here made the delivery of: the decrees made by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem; not the decrees made by the whole church, but by the ministers of the church only: none so fit to determine church-differences as church-officers. Note, 3. To whom these decrees were delivered; namely, to the churches, as they passed along through the several cities; so many cities, so many churches: the whole company of christians within a city and the adjacent territory, were wont to be framed into a christian society or church, and several congregations made but one church. To set up churches against churches, to set up churches in churches, and to gather churches out of churches, has no precedent, no warrant, no countenance from any phrase of scripture, or practice of the apostles' times. Note, 4. The end for which these decrees were delivered; namely, to bring all the churches to unity and uniformity; to unity in judgment, and uniformity in practice, that they might be all of one heart, and one way. Learn hence, That unity and uniformity among the churches of Christ is a thing to be earnestly desired and endeavoured; their unity is their strength and beauty both. Note, lastly, The success and fruit of the delivery of these decrees to the churches, ver. 5. So were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Where observe, A double blessing accruing to the churches: the one of confirmation, So were the churches established: the other of augmentation. They increased in number daily. Learn, 1. That as divisions do shake and unsettle, so unity and uniformity do establish, and confirm, the church of Christ: So were the churches established. 2. That it is a blessed thing to hear of the church's increasing, provided it be by way of addition, not division: to hear of churches multiplying, by the number of converts increasing, is happy; but to multiply churches by breaking churches in pieces, is a sad multiplication. The Lord keep his churches from such increases! and the Lord pardon those who for private interest have so increased churches by gathering churches out of churches, pretendedly for greater puritysake, but really for advantage-sake! Doctrines crying up purity to the ruin of unity, reject; for the gospel calls for unity as well as for purity. 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. |