Study Desk

encouraging the disciples, exhorting them to persevere in the faith, representing that it is thro' much tribulation that we must enter into the kingdom of God.

from thence they sailed to Antioch, where they had been recommended to the favour of God, for the commission, which they had now discharg'd.

when they were arrived, and had assembled the Church, they related what great things God had wrought by them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles:

and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them.

and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith.

God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us:

why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear?

The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry.

Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name.

he that does all these things, is the Lord himself that has said it." for the works of God are all known to him from the beginning of the world.

but Paul chose Silas, and having been recommended by the brethren to the favour of God,

as she followed Paul and the rest of us, she cried out, these men are the servants of the most high God, who show you the way to salvation.

At midnight Paul and Silas went to prayers, and sang praises to God, which the other prisoners heard:

then he conducted them to his house, and gave them an entertainment; and he and his family were affected with joy, for having believed in God.

but when the Jews of Thessalonica were inform'd that Paul had preached the word of God at Berea, they went thither to stir up the populace.

for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you.

the GOD who made the world and every thing therein, and is the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples erected by men:

since then we are the offspring of God, we should not imagine that the Deity bears any resemblance to the form which Gold, or Silver, or Stone has receiv'd from human art and industry.

God has been pleas'd to over-look this state of ignorance: but now he enjoins all men every where to repent:

so he continued there a year and a half preaching the word of God among them.