Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord… I. THEIR EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES. "Rest." The hurricane of persecution was now hushed, and under the genial influence of peace they grew. Peace in the nation is the time to build houses and develop resources. Peace in nature is the time for sowing and cultivation. Persecution, like storms, may deepen the roots of piety when it exists, but is unfavourable to the dissemination of seed and the growth of fragile plants. 1. This external condition Churches in England now have. We can sit under our own vine, etc. Once our Churches were very differently circumstanced — e.g., under Mary and the Stuarts. 2. This condition we are bound to improve. Great is our responsibility. All the waste land should be cultivated. Every spot brown with barrenness should be made emerald with life. II. THEIR MUTUAL RELATION. There was — 1. Organic independence. These Churches are spoken of as distinct; they were doubtless distinct organisations, each having its own laws, managing its own affairs, and knowing no head but Christ. 2. Spiritual unity. They are all spoken of as belonging to one generic class, subject to one general condition, and pursuing the same order of life. And there is vital unity between all true Churches — the unity of spirit, aim, headship. They were "all members of one body." That which really unites Churches is not "unions," "conferences," etc., but Christ's spirit of truth, love, and goodness. III. THEIR INTERNAL CONDITION. 1. Living in godly reverence. 2. Receiving sacred influences. IV. THEIR LEADING SIGNS. Increase — 1. Of strength. 2. Of numbers. Strong Churches, like strong nations, will colonise. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. |
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