XIX.

PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL.

ACTS viii. 1, 4.

1. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

It was not to be expected that they should spare the flock, who had already in many cases attacked the shepherds. The first object of the chief priests and rulers must be to restrain the apostles. This had been tried. But now the persecution extended to those who followed them.

Looking onwards to these difficulties, the Lord had given a general direction, "When they persecute you in this city, flee into another." The apostles themselves could not at present do so; it was needful for them, at all hazards, to remain at Jerusalem, and conduct the affairs of the church. But others were at liberty to seek safety in flight; and were scattered abroad throughout all the regions of Judea and Samaria. But the persecution, instead of crushing the infant church, tended

1 Matt. x. 23.

دو

to strengthen and enlarge it; and added another to the numerous instances in which "the wrath of man is made, under providential direction, to minister to the praise of God. They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Thus God's gracious purpose was promoted even by the enmity which persecuted these first believers. To whatever place or country they fled, where their connexions might be settled, or they might find a refuge among friends-wherever protection was offered them, they made a return of infinite value: they told the glad tidings of redemption; they spoke of what God had done; how he had remembered his people Israel, and fulfilled the promises which had kept them so long in expectation. And they would explain the evidence on which they had themselves received this truth; the facts which confirmed it; and how, rather than renounce the faith which they had embraced, and forfeit the peace which it had brought them, they had left their country and their homes; left all that was dearest to them in the world, looking for a better country, an "inheritance eternal in the heavens." They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

2

And this, not by a direct commission. The apostles did not, as in other cases, set them apart from the work, and lay their hands upon them, and send them forth with fasting and prayer. Such a formal commission would not be given to the general body of believers.

2 This evidently appears from the circumstances of the case, and is implied by the phrase used both here and in Acts xi. 20, evayyeλıŠóμevoi Tòv λóyov, carrying the word of glad tidings. Hammond has an elaborate note to this effect.

The influencing motive was in themselves; in their own hearts. They had received the truth, the great truth, that "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself:" that as there is, on the one hand, no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, so likewise there is salvation in no other: "for there is none other name under heaven given amongst men, whereby we must be saved."

This truth they had themselves received; and because they had received it, they were now scattered abroad, driven from their homes.

4

Though, therefore, they had no express commission, like the apostles, they had feelings like the apostles; like them, they "could not but speak the things which they had seen and heard." For they would find their friends, to whom they had come, in the very state from which they had been themselves so recently delivered : that state described by St. Paul, "resting in the law, and making their boast of God, but through breaking the law dishonouring God: " "going about to establish their own righteousness, and ignorant of God's righteousness: depending upon ordinances and ceremonies, which were merely a lifeless form; with none of the temper and disposition which belongs to the kingdom of heaven: not poor in spirit: not pure in heart not meek: not merciful: but proud, unholy, sensual, uncharitable. This was the general character of the Jewish people, as it appears disclosed in the New Testament. Such, then, would be the character of those friends and connexions among whom the Christians had taken refuge, who were now scattered abroad. And 3 Rom. ii. 17, &c.

4 Rom. x. 3.

surely there was great reason why they should preach the word among these, and tell them of that blood by which "all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses:" should tell them of that Spirit which is able to "turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; " and to renew them in righteousness and true holiness, "after the image of him that created them." Doubtless, they might have failed to do this. It is easier to go with the stream, and to suffer others to be carried down it, than to encounter and resist its force. And these might have followed the smoother path, and have allowed others to remain undisturbed in their errors, if the Spirit of God had not been strong within them, if the love of Christ had not powerfully constrained them. But they were thus constrained; and, therefore, they went every where preaching the word; declaring, that God had visited his people; had remembered his mercy; had fulfilled the promise made to Abraham; that their eyes had seen his salvation.

It is, in fact, one of the divine properties of the christian faith, that it contains within itself a provision by which it is diffused and extended. Its seed is in itself. The Christian loves his Saviour, and therefore is zealous for his glory. That glory is promoted when his religion is extended; therefore the Christian is zealous in extending it. The Christian also has an interest in all his fellow-creatures. These are benefited, inestimably benefited, when they are brought to the faith of Christ; and, therefore, the Christian is anxious to bring them over to that faith. He will both desire and endeavour

to lead others into ways, which he knows to be ways of "joy and peace;" and still further, which he knows to be the only ways of safety to the soul.

This appeared not long afterwards, when we find the same principle operating still further, and urging the scattered disciples to a bolder measure. Hitherto they had preached the word to none, but unto the Jews only.

20. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians,5 preaching the Lord Jesus.

21. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

At first these messengers of the gospel, having been brought up in all the Jewish prejudices, must have felt some doubt whether they were acting in conformity with the will of God, in preaching the Lord Jesus to any but unto the Jews only. But when a great number of the Grecians believed, and turned unto the Lord, an end would be put to their doubts; however marvellous in their eyes, it was the Lord's doing. They turned to Him, towards whom no man can turn, 66 except the Father draw him." And if the Father so drew these Grecians that they should turn unto the Lord, there was no further doubt as to the Father's will, whether they themselves should speak unto the Grecians. It became

5 A difficulty arises in the original from the word Eλλŋvoτaι, Grecians, commonly used to signify those of Hebrew parentage, but speaking the Greek language. This, however, must have been the language of the Jews, who are before mentioned, and mentioned in contrast with these Grecians. So that we are forced to understand here, by Grecians, persons who were by birth Gentiles. In some approved manuscripts the word is EXAŋves, and is received into the text by many modern Editors.