2. Yet they could not forbear giving some vent to their rage, (so outrageous was it,) contrary to the convictions of their judgments and consciences; for, though they were advised to let them alone, yet, (1.) They beat them, scourged them as malefactors, stripped them, and whipped them, as they used to do in the synagogues, and notice is taken (v. 41.) of the ignomy of it; thus they thought to make them ashamed of preaching, and the people ashamed of hearing them; as Pilate scourged our Saviour, to expose him, when yet he declared he found no fault in him. (2.) They commanded them that they should not speak any more in the name of Jesus; that, if they could find no other fault with their preaching they might have this ground to reproach it, that it was against law, and not only without the permission, but against the express order of their superiors.
VII. The wonderful courage and constancy of the apostles in the midst of all these injuries and indignities done them; when they were dismissed, they departed from the council, and we do not find one word they said by way of reflection upon the court, and the unjust treatment given them; when they were reviled, they reviled not again; and when they suffered, they threatened not, but committed their cause to him, to whom Gamaliel had referred it, even to a God who judgeth righteously. All their business was to preserve the possession of their own souls, and to make full proof of their ministry, notwithstanding the opposition given them; and both these they did to admiration.
1. They bore their sufferings with an invincible cheerfulness; (v. 41.) When they went out, perhaps, with the marks of the lashes, given them on their arms and hands, appearing, hissed at by the servants and rabble, it may be, or public notice given of the infamous punishment they had undergone, instead of being ashamed of Christ, and their relation to him, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. They were men, and men in reputation, that had never done any thing to make themselves vile, and therefore could not but have a sense of the shame they suffered, which, it should seem, was more grievous to them than the smart, as it is to ingenuous minds; but they considered that it was for the name of Christ that they were thus abused, because they belonged to him, and served his interest, and their sufferings should be made to contribute to the further advancement of his name; and therefore, (1.) They reckoned it an honour, looked upon it that they were counted worthy to suffer shame, κατηξιώθησαν ἀτιμασθῆναι—that they were honoured, to be dishonoured for Christ. Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern and serviceable to his interest. (2.) They rejoiced in it, remembering what their Master had said to them at their first setting out; (Matt. 5. 11, 12.) When men shall revile you, and persecute you, rejoice and be exceeding glad. They rejoiced, not only though they suffered shame, (their troubles did not diminish their joy,) but that they suffered shame; their troubles increased their joy, and added to it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to do.
2. They went on in their work with indefatigable diligence; (v. 42.) They were punished for preaching, and were commanded not to preach, and yet they ceased not to teach and preach; they omitted no opportunity, nor abated any thing of their zeal or forwardness. Observe, (1.) When they preached—daily; not only on sabbath-days, or on Lord's days, but every day, as duly as the day came, without intermitting any day, as their- Master did, (Luke 19. 47. Matt. 26. 55.) not fearing that they should either kill themselves, or cloy their hearers. (2.) Where they preached—both publicly in the temple, and privately in every house; in promiscuous assemblies, to which all resorted; and in the select assemblies of christians for special ordinances. They did not think that either one would excuse them from the other, for the word must be preached in season and out of season. Though in the temple they were more exposed, and under the eye of their enemies, yet they did not confine themselves to their little oratories in their own houses, but ventured into the post of danger; and though they had the liberty of the temple, a consecrated place, yet they made no difficulty of preaching in houses, in every house, even the poorest cottage. They visited the families of those that were under their charge, and gave particular instructions to them, according as their case required; even to the children and servants. (3.) What was the subject matter of their preaching; They preached Jesus Christ; they preached concerning him; that was not all, they preached him up, they proposed him to those who heard them, to be their Prince and Saviour. They did not preach themselves, but Christ, as faithful friends to the Bridegroom, making it their business to advance his interest. This was the preaching that gave most offence to the priests; they were willing that they should preach any thing but Christ; but they would not alter their subject to please them. It ought to be the constant business of gospel-ministers to preach Christ; Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified; nothing beside this, but what is reducible to it.
CHAP. VI.
In this chapter, we have, I. The discontent that was among the disciples about the distribution of the public charity, v. 1. II. The election and ordination of seven men, who should take care of that matter, and ease the apostles of the burthen, v. 2..6. III. The increase of the church, by the addition of many to it, v. 7. IV. A particular account of Stephen, one of the seven. 1. His great activity for Christ, v. 8. 2. The opposition he met with from the enemies of Christianity, and his disputes with them, v. 9, 10. 3. The convening of him before the great Sanhedrim, and the crimes laid to his charge, v. 11..14. 4. God's owning him upon his trial, v. 15.
1.AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word. of God, and serve tables. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6. Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
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