T HE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S
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first, and next of the church. So cloth ed, their mission is thus described: “they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost.” Have we not here for all time the true principle of appointment to sacred offices?—Jamieson. v. 4. Being sent forth. The best tra veling attendants for a missionary on his departure are: ( 1 ) the divine call concerning him; (2) the Spirit’s impulse within him; (3) the church’s prayers behind him; (4) the sighing of the heathen world before him.—Gerok. Sail ed to Cyprus. Several reasons may have induced them to turn first to this island. It was the native place of Barnabas, and since the time when Andrew found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus, family ties had not been without effect on the progress of the Gospel.— Hows. The Gospel for the first time went to sea.—Garry. v. 5. Prkeached the word. They were true to their commission. Many a man has been sent forth by the Holy Ghost who has afterward forgotten what he was sent to preach and so a mission that was divine in its origin has come to nothing in its execution.—Torrey. v. 6 A Jew named Bar-Jesus. This was his Jewish name. The Arabic name or title, Elymas, meaning ‘‘wise,” was a self assumed designation.—Camb. Bible. v. 7. Deputy of the country. •Literal ly “proconsul.” In most striking con firmation of this minute accuracy of the sacred historian, coins have actually been found in the island stamped with the names of proconsuls, both in Greek and Latin—Ackerman. v. 8 : Elymas the sorcerer. Elymas is recognized and addressed as “the child of the devil.” The mighty foe who met Jesus on the threshold of his career will block, if possible, the beginning of the mission to the heathen. Scripture shows Satan always actively engaged at the very beginning of things. The history of missions is a history of conflict bitter and prolonged with the great enemy of souls—Farr. Seeking to turn the dep uty. Such evil persons, special instru ments of Satan, appear repeatedly in this book and generally when the Gospel was carried into some new region. In Samaria it was Simon Magus; in Mace donia, the damsel with the familiar spirit; and here, this demon-possessed Jew. He tried to keep the Word from the Roman Sergius Paulus. Thus the Jews tried to keep the Gospel from reaching the Gentiles.—Anno. Bible.
(3) Separation from the world, and separ ation unto God, are the signs of discipleship. (4) The Holy Spirit appoints and anoints, and whom He thrusts forth He thor oughly fills. (5) Opposition to truth affords an occasion for testimony. (6) Justice demands judgment. (7) The greatest wickedness is to pervert the way of heavenly wisdom. v. 1. Church ' at Antioch. The first seven chapters of Acts might be entitled “The Church among the Jews;” the next five (8-12), “The Church in Transition f r o m COMMENTS FROM Jews to Gentiles;” MANY SOURCES .and the last six- Keith L. Brooks teen “The Church among the Gen It was f r o m Antioch that teachers were first sent forth with the definite purpose of spreading Christianity and organizing churches with regular institutions (14: 23.)—Olshausen. Certain prophets and teachers. There were prophets in the church—men through whom God com municated His mind and will to the early church. The order (like the speaking with tongues) continued till the New Testament was complete. Then there was no longer need for them. TPhere are none in the church today. Any claim to he such is a dishonor to the holy Scripture and denial of its pre sent all-sufficiency.—Haldeman. v. 2. They miniartered and fasted. If we would spend more time and strength in ministering to the Lord and in fasting, we would have more frequent and clearer leadings of the Spirit. A Spirit-filled mind rarely accompanies an overfilled stomach. Holy Ghost said. The Holy Ghost is the director of the work of God upon the earth. What we •should do if we are to work rightly for God and if God is to bless our work, is to see that we stand fn right relation to the Holy Spirit and that we give Him every day the place . of honor. in our lives.—Murray. v. 3. Laid hands on them. To what were they ordained? Not to the work of fithe ministry since Paul was a minister already (Gah l:l).gf-Lightfoot. Not to the apostleship since the apostle was always appointed by God, .not by the church—Ramsay. Ordained to the spe cial business of carrying the Gospel to the Gentiles.—Whitelaw. Sent them away. With the double call, of the Spirit tiles——Baumgarten.
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