Acts 14:1-18 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke… I. THE MIRACLES WHICH THE APOSTLES WROUGHT IN ATTESTATION OF THE TRUTH OF THEIR DOCTRINE. And when the infidel sneeringly asks, "What connection is there between truth and power, or can the truth of a doctrine be established by a miracle?" we reply, by asking him, "What connection is there between a man's signature and the validity of the bill or bond which he has subscribed? What connection is there between the credentials of an ambassador and his right to transact the business of his sovereign?" Miracles are God's subscription to the truth of Christianity; and as no man could have wrought them unless God was with him, so in proportion to their number was testimony given to the gospel of grace. II. THE SUFFERINGS TO WHICH THE APOSTLES AND FIRST CHRISTIANS WERE EXPOSED. III. THE EARLY AND RAPID PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. Considering the circumstances in which Christianity was introduced, we should not have been surprised had it made but slow progress in the world. Not only are its principles distasteful to the natural feelings of mankind; it opposed itself to the firmest prejudices, to the most established opinions of those to whom it was first addressed. IV. GOD STILL TESTIFIES TO THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL BY ACCOMPANYING ITS PROCLAMATION WITH A SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE. (James Jeffrey.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |