Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v04550

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 112 lines

04561
 * Paul's account of his conversion. (1-11) Paul directed to
 preach to the Gentiles. (12-21) The rage of the Jews, Paul pleads
 that he is a Roman citizen. (22-30)

 #1-11 The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the
 customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the
 history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his
 conversion was wholly the act of God. Condemned sinners are
 struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a lasting
 blindness, like that of the unbelieving Jews. Convinced sinners
 are struck blind as Paul was, not by darkness, but by light.
 They are for a time brought to be at a loss within themselves,
 but it is in order to their being enlightened. A simple relation
 of the Lord's dealings with us, in bringing us, from opposing,
 to profess and promote his gospel, when delivered in a right
 spirit and manner, will sometimes make more impression that
 laboured speeches, even though it amounts not to the full proof
 of the truth, such as was shown in the change wrought in the
 apostle.
04572
 #12-21 The apostle goes on to relate how he was confirmed in the
 change he had made. The Lord having chosen the sinner, that he
 should know his will, he is humbled, enlightened, and brought to
 the knowledge of Christ and his blessed gospel. Christ is here
 called that Just One; for he is Jesus Christ the righteous.
 Those whom God has chosen to know his will, must look to Jesus,
 for by him God has made known his good-will to us. The great
 gospel privilege, sealed to us by baptism, is the pardon of
 sins. Be baptized, and wash away thy sins; that is, receive the
 comfort of the pardon of thy sins in and through Jesus Christ,
 and lay hold on his righteousness for that purpose; and receive
 power against sin, for the mortifying of thy corruptions. Be
 baptized, and rest not in the sign, but make sure of the thing
 signified, the putting away of the filth of sin. The great
 gospel duty, to which by our baptism we are bound, is, to seek
 for the pardon of our sins in Christ's name, and in dependence
 on him and his righteousness. God appoints his labourers their
 day and their place, and it is fit they should follow his
 appointment, though it may cross their own will. Providence
 contrives better for us than we do for ourselves; we must refer
 ourselves to God's guidance. If Christ send any one, his Spirit
 shall go along with him, and give him to see the fruit of his
 labours. But nothing can reconcile man's heart to the gospel,
 except the special grace of God.

04582
 #22-30 The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion,
 but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so
 contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear
 no more. Their frantic conduct astonished the Roman officer, who
 supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul
 pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was
 exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him
 to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly
 shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As
 Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer
 questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the
 apostle told him he was free born. Let us value that freedom to
 which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money,
 however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate.
 This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from
 evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back
 from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it
 lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him
 under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not
 lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to
 avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master
 laid upon his onward road; and he never stepped aside out of that
 road to take one up.
04591
 * Paul's defence before the council of the Jews. (1-5) Paul's
 defence. He receives a Divine assurance that he shall go to
 Rome. (6-11) The Jews conspire to kill Paul, Lysias sends him to
 Caesarea. (12-24) Lysias's letter to Felix. (25-35)

 #1-5 See here the character of an honest man. He sets God before
 him, and lives as in his sight. He makes conscience of what he
 says and does, and, according to the best of his knowledge, he
 keeps from whatever is evil, and cleaves to what is good. He is
 conscientious in all his words and conduct. Those who thus live
 before God, may, like Paul, have confidence both toward God and
 man. Though the answer of Paul contained a just rebuke and
 prediction, he seems to have been too angry at the treatment he
 received in uttering them. Great men may be told of their
 faults, and public complaints may be made in a proper manner;
 but the law of God requires respect for those in authority.

04596
 #6-11 The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish
 church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine
 revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of
 eternal happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in
 question for his being a Christian, Paul might truly say he was
 called in question for the hope of the resurrection of the dead.
 It was justifiable in him, by this profession of his opinion on
 that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting
 him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful
 violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Though the
 Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy against
 religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives.
 There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment,
 and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open
 enmity. Divine consolations stood Paul in the most stead; the
 chief captain rescued him out of the hands of cruel men, but the
 event he could not tell. Whoever is against us, we need not
 fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that
 his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He
 might think he should never see Rome; but God tells him, even in
 that he should be gratified, since he desired to go there only
 for the honour of Christ, and to do good.