Julian Pe- selves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and con- Antioch. riod, 4760. firmed them. Valgar Era, 49. another, and that the higher order possessed powers which were The Church at this time was one Society, and it was subject The apostles at Jerusalem till this time took care to superintend all the converts: they commissioned Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, where the greatest number of proselytes were assembled. He obeyed, and visited the several Churches as far as Antioch, and confirmed the converts in their faith. The account of his mission is so briefly related, that we are informed only in the most general terms of the manner in which he exerted his authority. But this instance proves that the apostles possessed the right of superintendence over the Churches out of Judea, as well as those in their own country, or they could have had no authority to send one of their number to the Church of Antioch. The title "Prophets," which is given in this passage to Judas and Silas, and is applied to a class of teachers inferior to the apostles, naturally leads us to inquire concerning the nature of the gifts that were imparted to the Church at this time, as well as the consequent gradations in the ministry which those gifts were intended to produce. Even in the bestowment of these holy gifts an order and distinction was observed, which clearly points out a distinct gradation of rank in ecclesiastical government. We will begin with the apostles, who were distinguished above all the others by the most excellent gifts and powers; next to whom were placed the prophets, who were inspired men, foretold future events, and were also preachers of the Gospel: while others, from the portion of grace they had received, necessarily were considered of subordinate rank. There is ever an harmonious uniformity in the plans of Providence, enforcing the same divine truths. "As at the first settling of the Church of Israel in the wilderness (says the deeply learned Lightfoot), so it was in the first settling of the Gospel. The first fathers of the Sanhedrim in the wilderness were endued with divine gifts, such as we are speaking of; but when that generation was expired, those that were to succeed in that function and employment, were such as were qualified for it by education, study, and parts acquired. So was it with this first age of the Gospel, and the ages succeeding. At the first dispersing of the Gospel, it was absolutely needful that the first planters should be furnished with such extraordinary gifts, or else it was not possible it should be planted, Julian Pe 33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were Antioch. riod, 4760. let go in Vulgar Æra, from the brethren unto the apostles. peace 49. as may appear by a plain instance-Paul comes to a place 1. The apostles, then, were expressly chosen and appointed 2. They had all seen Christ in the flesh, aúróñrai, (Acts i. 8.) and so became witnesses of his resurrection. (1 Cor. xv. 5. 7.) 3. They were personally instructed by our Lord. (Luke xxiv. 45. John xx. 22. Acts xi. 4.) 4. They were infallible in their teaching. (John xiv. 26. and xvi. 13. Luke xii. 11, 12. Matt. x. 19, 20.) 5. They were the common instructors of the world. (Matt. xxix. 19. Mark xvi. 15.) 6. They had the power of imparting to others the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Acts viii. 6, 7. 15. 17.) 7. They were endowed with miraculous powers. (Matt. x. 1. Acts iii. 6.) 8. They had miraculous power to punish offenders. (Acts v. 8, 9.) 9. Their wonderful success in their ministry was miraculous. (Acts xi., 41, &c.) In all these respects St. Paul was equal to either of the apostles. 1. He was called by Christ himself. (Gal. i. 1.) 2. He saw Christ. (1 Cor. ix. 1.) 3. Was taught by Christ. (Gal. i. 12.) 4. Was infallible. (2 Cor. xiii. 3. 1 Thess. ii. 13. and iv. 8.) 5. Teacher of the world. (Acts ix. 5. 1 Tim. ii. 7.) 6. Imparted the Spirit. (Acts xix. 6. 1 Tim. iv. 14.) 7. Miraculous powers. (Acts xix. 11, 12. xxii. 9.) 8. Power to inflict punishment. (2 Cor. x. 3-6. Acts xiii. 8.) 9. And no apostle was more successful in his ministry. (Acts xxvi. 18. 1 Thess. xi. 5. Rom. xv. 17-19.) It is exceedingly difficult to define with accuracy the precise powers of the miraculous gifts, and the exact titles of the ministers who were severally endowed with them, and the functions which they individually performed in the Church. Grotius, Vitringa, Lightfoot, and many others of the most learned, have Pe 1760. Æra, 34 Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide there still. Antioch. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teach'ing and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. discussed the subject, and have come to different conclusions. The former has arranged the gifts of the Spirit, the offices of That Aoyos copias signifies the knowledge that was the peculiar gift of an apostle, see the second Essay, in the Miscellanea Sacra. b That Xoyos yvwoewe signifies the knowledge peculiar to the highest c By Tioris, Mr. Locke here understands such a full persuasion of a Gifts of healing, ver. 30. may signify the gifts that were beneficial ther those several performances proceeded from the Spirit or no; see 1 Cor. xiv. 29. where the apostle says, "Let the prophets speak, two or three at a time, and let the others judge," (or discern), diakpiverw Where judging, or discerning, follows prophesying, as diaкpions TVEVμάTOV follows pоonreía here; see also 1 Cor. ii. 15. where the spiritual man is said to judge, or discern, even the things revealed by the higher prophets. h'Avrimes, in the second list (helps) may answer to prophecy; Perhaps the apostle makes yévn yλwoowv, in the second list, answer 1 And perhaps yλwooais λaλovvTEC, in the third list, may compre- |