Acts 5:11-16 And great fear came on all the church, and on as many as heard these things.… The text presents the young Church as — I. AN ORGAN OF RESTORATIVE POWER. The works were miraculous and material, but they may be regarded as specimens and symbols of those spiritual works which the true Church is constantly performing for the benefit of mankind. This restorative power was — 1. Manifestly Divine. So little did the people regard the works as the effects of the natural powers of the apostles, that they considered the very shadow of Peter sufficient. The moral power of the Church to restore souls is also incontrovertibly Divine. No man, however exalted his piety, extensive his attainments, or brilliant his talents, can restore one lost soul. 2. Very extensive. Great were the crowds of sick folk, and various their diseases; but they were healed every one. So the healing power in the Church is equal to every case. II. AN INSTITUTION DIFFERENTLY AFFECTING DIFFERENT MEN. 1. In some it produced a revulsion. "And of the rest," the class to which Ananias had belonged, "durst no man join himself to them." A church whose discipline is so severely pure, which will not tolerate untruthfulness, dishonesty, or selfishness, is sure to keep aloof the carnal, mercenary, and false. 2. In some it awakened admiration. "But the people magnified them." Incorruptible sincerity and high spiritual purity will always command the honour and respect of the unsophisticated multitudes. The common people heard Christ gladly, because He spoke the true thing in the true spirit. And so the people will always honour the Church for what is pure and noble in her members. 3. In some it effected a conversion (ver. 14). (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.WEB: Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. |
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