Acts 15:8-9 And God, which knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did to us;… It is the sovereign's stamp which settles the question as to the right of a coin to be counted current among loyal subjects of that sovereign. When God puts His stamp of approval on a man, or on a woman, or on a movement, that fact ought to weigh beyond any individual opinion as to the original propriety of such an approval. It may seem to us that the elder and more imposing Eliab is far better suited to the kingship than the youthful rustic David; but when God decides in favour of the latter, it is time for us to reverse our opinion on this point. So, also, as to preachers and methods of preaching, as to denominational peculiarities and modes of working, as to special agents and agencies in Christian endeavour; not what we thought God would approve, but what we find God has approved, ought to weigh most with us in deciding the question of our accepting or belittling that instrumentality or undertaking. Gamaliel's warning is as timely for our day as it was for his, in many a matter of treating Christian work and Christian workers. In opposing those who claim to stand for God, while they differ with us, we may "be found to be fighting against God." (H. C. Trumbull, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;WEB: God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. |
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