Accomplished Antioch Commended Committed Completed Connexion Fulfilled Grace Handed Previously Recommended Sail Sailed Ship Thence Whence
14:26 And thence sailed to {i} Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
(i) Antioch of Syria.
14:26 From thence sailed to Antioch. The Syrian Antioch, the first Gentile church, the mother church of Gentile missions, the church that sent them forth several years before (Ac 13:1,3). Exactly how long a time had been occupied in this missionary tour cannot be ascertained, but it is almost certain that the visit to Jerusalem, recorded in Ac 11:29,30 12:25, took place in A.D. 44, while that mentioned in Ac 15:2 took place in A.D. 51, there being six or seven years between. This time was occupied with the missionary journey and the stay at Antioch. The first probably extended over three or four years.
14:26 Recommended to the grace - Or favour, of God, for the work which they had fulfilled - This shows the nature and design of that laying on of hands, which was mentioned Acts 13:3.
14:19-28 See how restless the rage of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ. The people stoned Paul, in a popular tumult. So strong is the bent of the corrupt and carnal heart, that as it is with great difficulty that men are kept back from evil on one side, so it is with great ease they are persuaded to evil on the other side. If Paul would have been Mercury, he might have been worshipped; but if he will be a faithful minister of Christ, he shall be stoned, and thrown out of the city. Thus men who easily submit to strong delusions, hate to receive the truth in the love of it. All who are converted need to be confirmed in the faith; all who are planted need to be rooted. Ministers' work is to establish saints as well as to awaken sinners. The grace of God, and nothing less, effectually establishes the souls of the disciples. It is true, we must count upon much tribulation, but it is encouragement that we shall not be lost and perish in it. The Person to whose power and grace the converts and the newly-established churches are commended, clearly was the Lord Jesus, on whom they had believed. It was an act of worship. The praise of all the little good we do at any time, must be ascribed to God; for it is He who not only worketh in us both to will and to do, but also worketh with us to make what we do successful. All who love the Lord Jesus, will rejoice to hear that he has opened the door of faith wide, to those who were strangers to him and to his salvation. And let us, like the apostles, abide with those who know and love the Lord.
Accomplished Antioch Attalia Commended Committed Completed Connexion Fulfilled Grace Handed Previously Recommended Sail Sailed Ship Thence Whence Work
Accomplished Antioch Attalia Commended Committed Completed Connexion Fulfilled Grace Handed Previously Recommended Sail Sailed Ship Thence Whence Work
