Acts 13:50-52 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas… The description is brief but noteworthy. I. IT RECORDS AN EXPERIENCE — SPIRITUAL, REAL, AND EXEMPLARY. There was emotionalism, high and holy; and it was visible. The elements were simple, but grand. 1. "Joy." 2. "The Holy Ghost." Each is suggestive, and both were prominent features of those early times. They are, too, co-related. Instead of spirituality and gladness being antagonistic, the soul is joyous just because it has the Holy Ghost; and the fruit of the Spirit's influence is a more perfect, joy, so that the more largely we possess the Spirit, the greater becomes our joy. II. THE DEGREE AND MEASURE OF THIS EXPERIENCE deserves consideration. It was not the possession of a favoured few, but of the "disciples." By them it was possessed, not scantily, or partially, they were "filled" with it. These emotions did not spring from external circumstances, but were independent of them and superior to them: they were, despite outward adversity (see vers. 50-51, and Acts 14:22). III. THE ATTAINMENT OF LIKE EXPERIENCE can never be deemed impossible when we remember the exhortations of Scripture, and the testimony of "disciples" — learners in the school of Christ. "If ye being evil know how," etc. If possible, how advantageous to us would such an experience prove! joyous in itself; an evidence; an energy; a foretaste. (J. P. Allen, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. |
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