These converted Jews still retained a religious regard to the legal rites, to those especially which tended to distinguish the Jewish from the heathens 10. For we do not find any such quarrel at Peter and John for going down to Samaria, although the Samaritans were as odious to the Jewish people as any nation could be; but they were neither uncircumcised nor idolaters, both which, but especially the latter, occasioned their greater detestation of the Gentiles'. "And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him." Surely they would not have dared to do this if he had been then acknowledged for supreme head of the Church, and infallible judge of controversies. Nor does St. Peter's conduct on this occasion at all countenance such an opinion; for, instead of silencing them by his authority, he patiently pleads his cause before them, and convinces their understanding by his reasoning 2. He publicly stated the reasons which had led him to take the step they complained of, "rehearsing the whole matter from the beginning, and expounding it by order unto them;" and he showed so clearly that he acted throughout the business under the immediate direction of God, that they could no longer gainsay it, but came to the same conclusion at which he had arrived 1 Dr. Lightfoot. Bishop Mann. 10 Pyle. 2 before them: "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life 3." SECT. CXCIX.-Disciples first called Christians.— 66 66 At the time of that "persecution that arose about Stephen," which had been fomented by the Sanhedrim, at a time when the people were in their highest excitement, and when Saul in his zeal first set out for Damascus, the disciples were all "scattered abroad," as far as Antioch; and some of them travelled quite beyond the countries, where the Jews' language was known, and “ 'spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus," "but unto the Jews only." And the hand of the Lord was with them," enabling them by His power to work miracles;-" and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." As soon, therefore, as the Apostles in Jerusalem found that a considerable Church had sprung up at Antioch, the capital of Syria, they sent forth Barnabas," that he should superintend, and put in order the affairs of this community; and when he had come, and had "exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord," "much people was added" to their number, insomuch that he required assistance in the ministry, and determined to travel as far as Archbishop Newcome. 66 3 Dean Howard. Tarsus, to bring Saul to begin the work of a teacher in this infant Christian Church; and he prevailed with him to come to Antioch, where they laboured together for the space of a whole year. This city was quite beyond the bounds of Judæa and Samaria, and had been founded by the first king of Syria, the son of Antiochus. It had been the royal residence of Alexander's Syro-Grecian successors, and one of the most flourishing, rich, and trading cities of the world. The infant Church, here established by Saul and Barnabas, was composed indiscriminately of Jews and Gentiles, who were both numerous in this great commercial mart : "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." The enemies of the Gospel had hitherto called them Nazarenes in contempt; and among themselves they had been styled "disciples," "believers," "brethren"." The followers of Christ's religion in subsequent times gloried so much in this name of Christians, that they would acknowledge no other before the face of their enemies, although hated, reviled, tormented, and martyred for it and would to God that all those who bear it now, would reflect upon its meaning, and consider seriously whether they are in reality what it requires they should be! Brown's Dictionary. 7 Nelson. 8 Dean Stanhope. Dean Howard. Whether they are in truth worthy to bear a name so glorious, sanctified by the blood of the saints, and held in honour by centenaries of "good men, full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith." We find among the various gifts bestowed upon the several members of the Church of Christ" prophecy" enumerated by St. Paul'; and, accordingly, we read, that "in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch,' "who signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world." The word translated "world," signifies sometimes the land of Judæa only; and this seems probably to be the case in the present instance: for, if the predicted dearth was to have extended to Syria, the Christians in the city would not have been expected to have relieved those of Judæa. Josephus, also, in his history, speaks of this dearth, "which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar;" and mentions that large quantities of corn were sent up to Jerusalem from other countries', which at the same time shows the fulfilment of the prophecy, and limits its application": "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa, which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." The "elders" were persons appointed for the 9 Dr. Stack. 1 Bishop Pearson. 2 Pictorial Bible. government of the Churches, and proves the order which had already been effected by Apostolic authority. What could more conduce to the honour of the name so lately taken, than these fruits of charity, so agreeable to the import of the name, sent as a relief to their brethren against the approaching famine 1? 66 4 SECT.CC.-James killed by Herod.-Acts xii. 1, 2. Now about this time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church." This was Herod Agrippa, son of that Aristobulus, who was murdered by his own father, Herod the Great. The proper name of this Herod was Agrippa; but when he became king, he adopted the name of Herod, as a title of sovereign distinction in the Herodian family, as we have seen was the custom in Egypt, Syria, and Rome. After many vicissitudes of imperial favour, he obtained from the emperor Caligula the government of the northern and eastern portions of the Holy Land with the title of King; and this was afterwards extended by Claudius to a reconstruction of his grandfather's entire kingdom'. He is to be distinguished from his son Agrippa, king of Chalcis, whom we shall hereafter meet with in the Book of the Acts, in following the history of St. Paul. The accuracy of the sacred writer Bishop Pearce. 5 Pictorial Bible. Dean Stanhope. 6 Bishop Pearce. |