A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIV.
ANd it came to paſs in Iconium, that they went both together into the Synagogue of the Jews, and ſo ſpake, that a great multitude both of the Jews, and alſo of the Greeks, believed. 2. But the unbelieving Jews ſtirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil-affected againſt the brethren.
1, 2. Still the great ſucceſs of the Miniſtry is attended with the greateſt Envy and oppoſition of bad Men.
3. Long time therefore abode they ſpeaking boldly in the Lord, which gave teſtimony unto the word of his grace, and granted ſigns and wonders to be done by their hands.
3. Note, Long Preaching is needful to root that word which one or two Sermons oft leaveth looſe. 2. Miracles were the convincing cauſe of the Credibility of the Apoſtles teſtimony.
4. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apoſtles.
4. Note, The Goſpel cauſeth diviſions by ſaving ſome, or elſe all would periſh together in Concord.
5. And when there was an aſſault made both of the Gentiles and alſo of the Jews, with their Rulers, to uſe them deſpitefully, and to ſtone them. 6. They were ware of it, and fled unto Lyſtra, and Derbe, Cities of Lycaonia, and unto the Region that lieth round about: 7. And there they preached the Goſpel.
5. Note, Still Perſecution diſperſeth the Goſpel.
8. And there ſat a certain man at Lyſtra, impotent in his feet, being a creeple from his Mothers womb, who never had walked. 9. The ſame heard Paul ſpeak: who ſtedfaſtly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10. Said with a loud voice, Stand up right on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
8. The Holy Ghoſt when he would do the Miracle made P…l diſcern the Mans Faith, and exciteth him to bid him ſtand up.
11. And when the people ſaw what Paul had done, they lift up their voices, ſaying in the ſpeech of Lycaonia, The Gods are come down to us in the likeneſs of men. 12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, becauſe he was the chief ſpeaker.
11. They knew that ſuch a Miracle muſt be a ſupernatural work, and done by God; and they called them by the uſual names of their Gods.
13. Then the prieſt of Jupiter which was before their city, brought Oxen and garlands unto the Gates, and would have done ſacrifice with the people.
13. The Prieſt of Jupiter, whoſe Temple or Statue was without the City, brought Oxen to ſacrifice to them.
Note, Such Men are readier for Idolatries, than to receive Gods word.
14. Which when the Apoſtles, Barnabas and Paul heard of, they rent thir clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out. 15. And ſaying, Sirs, why do ye theſe things? We alſo are men of like paſſions with you, and Preach unto you, that ye ſhould turn from theſe vanities unto the living God, which made Heaven, and Earth, and the Sea, and all things that are therein:
14. Note, 1. The number of twelve Apoſtles was fitted to the Jews Twelve Tribes, to whom the Goſpel was firſt to be Preached: But when Chriſt would gather the Gentile Church, he increaſed the number, and Paul was commiſſioned by a voice from Heaven, and he and Barnabas, by a ſpecial miſſion of Chriſt, by the Holy Ghoſt. 2. The ſignificant ceremony of renting the Cloths, is uſed by theſe two Apoſtles. 3. All good Men hate Idolatry, and would not be Idoliz'd themſelves. 4. The Devil would honour the …iniſters of Chriſt overmuch, when it is to contradict their Doctrine.
16. Who in times paſt ſuffered all Nations to walk in their own ways. 17. Nevertheleſs he left not himſelf without witneſs, in that he did good, and gave us Rain from Heaven, and fruitful ſeaſons, filling our hearts with food and gladneſs.
16. He hath long connived by patient permiſſions at the manifold Idolatries and Vices of the World, not puniſhing them as they deſerved: Yet his common mercies to Mens bodies, did both ſignifie, that he is the merciful Ruler and Benefactor to mankind, and that he uſeth not ſinful Man as the deſerveth, but in mercy, obligeth all to gratitude and repentance.
18. And with theſe ſayings ſcarce reſtrained they the people, that they had not done ſacrifice unto them.
18. Note, So forward are Men to forbidden worſhip, who are backward to ſpiritual and true.
19. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who perſwaded the people, and having ſtoned Paul, drew him out of city, ſuppoſing he had been dead.
19. Note, This is the levity of the vulgar; that one day will ſacrifice as to Gods, to thoſe, whom after they would kill as male factors: So little truſt is to be placed in them. And though we know not whether moſt of the ſame Perſons were the Perſecutors, its like that many were.
20. Howbeit, as the Diſciples ſtood round about him, he roſe up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
20. Note, Its like his recovery was a miracle; elſe ſtoning would have diſabled him to travel.
21. And when they had Preached the Goſpel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lyſtra, and to Iconium, and Antioch.
21. Note, Perſecution made them not forſake the Plantations which they had newly made.
22. Confirming the ſouls of the Diſciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we muſt through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.
22. Confirming them againſt the Temptation of Perſecution, which muſt be ſuffered by thoſe that will be ſaved.
23. And when they had ordained them Eldets in every Church, and had prayed with faſting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
23. They ſetled the Chriſtians that were converted in theſe ſeveral Cities, in Church order, ordaining Elders in every Church, to be the Guides and Teachers of the reſt; and that with Faſting and Prayer, becauſe of the great importance of the work.
Note. 1. It is made a controverſie, whether foreign ſignifie [by ſuffrages] or [by laying on hands] But it is of ſmall importance: For it is certain, that the Apoſtles forced no Elders on the People, but ordained them by the Peoples choice or conſent: And it is certain, that ordination was the Apoſtles Act.
2. And its a Controverſie what is here meant by Elders; whether Dioceſane Biſhops, or meer Presbyters, or Lay Elders, or Deacons alſo. The Scripture calls all Church-guides and Teachers Elders, and here maketh no diſtinction. Its certain, that each Church here was but one ſmall Aſſembly: And therefore, if they will call the Paſtor of one Aſſembly a Dioceſane, its a nominal ſtrife: If they ſay, it is becauſe they had Power to govern a Dioceſs of a multitude of Churches when they were gathered. 1. They muſt prove that power given. 2. Then they were no Biſhops of thoſe Churches, till they were indeed Churches. 3. And its probable, that about thoſe near Cities, that was not in their life time.
Though it be not certain, that by [Elders in every City] is meant more than one in each City, yet by the Phraſe, it is moſt probable; ſpecially, conſidering what evidence there is of many at Corinth, Antioch and Jeruſalem.
24. And after they had paſſed throughout Piſidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25. And when they had Preached the word in Perga, they went down unto Attalia: 26. And thence ſailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the Grace of God, for the work which they fulfilled.
24. They returned to Antioch in Syria (not Antioch in Piſidia) to give the Church an account of their ſucceſs.
27. And when they were come and had gathered the Church together, they rehearſed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28. And there they abode long time with the Diſciples.
27. Note 1, It was a Congregation, and not a Dioceſs of a multitude of Congregations, that is called the Church, which they Congregated. 2. They brought them the glad Tidings, that the Gentiles had received the Faith: Though it was in the Jews Synagogues that they preacht, at leaſt for the moſt part.