Dangers and successes. The unstable multitude open to rapid changes of feeling. " Hosanna! " to day; "Crucify him!" to-morrow. Paul's miraculous escape a great help to the faith of disciples. Possibly his suffering a reason for speedy return to Antioch. I. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY A PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE . 1. The necessity of patience. 2. The importance of making the work thorough and confirming the weak. 3. The... read more
Return to Antioch: a picture of apostolic activity. The scene quickly changed at Lystra. The multitude, wrought upon by Jews from Antioch and Iconium, rise up against Paul, and stone their late hero and god. Fickle world, which now brings garlands and now stones! "Every generation stones by-and-by its own gods, but every time has its own method of stoning." The boldest antagonists of the kingdom of darkness arouse most foes; Paul is stoned, not Barnabas. Perhaps his own act comes back upon... read more
The return home. The furthest limit of the mission of Paul and Barnabas is not reached till their visit is paid to Derbe. After the recovery by miracle of Paul from his stoning, the next day he advances with Barnabas to Derbe. And after some time spent there and much work done, of which no details are given, the two apostles set their face homeward. And it is evident that the Spirit still leads them. For— I. WITH THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROUND , THEIR COURAGE FAILS ... read more
The work of God. This first famous missionary tour had some features quite peculiar to itself and is, in some respects, inimitable by us. Bat in other aspects it may be regarded as a typical work of God. I. IT was BEGUN IN GOD . It was II. IN HIS STRENGTH IT WAS CARRIED ON AND COMPLETED . In his strength. The entire account, from beginning to end, conveys the idea that the apostles sought and found their strength in a Divine source; indeed, nothing less... read more
They sailed for sailed, A.V.; committed for recommended, A.V. ; had fulfilled for fulfilled, A.V. read more
Prayer as a recommendation to the grace of God. The Syrian Antioch is here referred to as the place "from whence the two great missionaries had been recommended to the grace of God," and from Acts 13:3 we learn in what this recommendation to the grace of God consisted: "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." We fix attention, then, on the point that we know what were the prayers of these Antiochene disciples. They were intercessory... read more
All things for all , A.V.; how that for how, A.V.; a door for the door, A.V. A door . The door is preferable, because "the faith" limits the door to one kind of opening. In Colossians 4:3 the case is a little different both in the A.V. and the R.V., though in the latter "the door of the Word" would be a truer rendering. Observe how the leading idea of the narrative is the conversion of the Gentiles. (See Introduction to the Acts.) read more
"The door of faith." When may it be said that God has "opened the door of faith" through which men may enter? This is true, as described in the text when— I. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS FIRST PRESENTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP IN SOME FORM OF ERROR . It was opened, through the hand of Paul, to the Gentiles, and multitudes entered in thereat. This may be said when— II. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS TAUGHT TO CHILDREN . Then it is... read more
"The door of faith." The narrative of the returned missionaries, as given to the assembled Church at Antioch, took two forms—in part it was a personal narrative of what they had done and suffered; and in part it was a report of the acceptance which the gospel message had received in the countries they had visited. And in this part of their account, one thing appeared to them to be of peculiar interest—God had manifestly "opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." The expression is a... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-28
The Word and the miracle. In the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth, whether by our Lord himself in the days of his flesh, or by the apostles after his ascension, two great instruments were in constant and simultaneous use—the preaching of the Word of God and the working of miracles. In the Gospels it is difficult to say which was the most prominent feature of our Lord's life—his preaching the Word or his mighty works of power. He himself places them side by side in his description... read more