Theological Sketchbook Acts 12:24-25 But the word of God grew and multiplied. I. THE WORD WAS OPPOSED. 1. By the Word we may understand the gospel of God our Saviour. 2. Jewish prejudices opposed the gospel. 3. Heathenish superstitions were opposed to the Word. 4. Human learning was opposed to the Word of God. The Greeks and Romans excelled in learning; but that learning produced bad effects. 5. The devil opposed the gospel, by his influence and agency on the hearts of men. 6. In spreading the Word, the apostles had to endure many grievous afflictions, both from wicked men and evil spirits. II. OPPOSITION DID NOT PREVENT THE RAPID SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL; FOR THE WORD GREW AND WAS MULTIPLIED. 1. The Word is fitly compared to good seed. 2. This seed was sown by the apostles in prepared hearts; and it cannot bring forth good fruit unless the heart be prepared. 3. When the Word sinks into the heart, and takes deep root, it produces holy tempers and holy actions; and when we abound in these, the Word grows in us, and our prayers go up to God with acceptance. 4. The Word is multiplied when many are converted to God by the instrumentality of converts. III. BUT WHAT WERE THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF THE EXTENSIVE PROMULGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN THE AGE OF THE APOSTLES? 1. The extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, conferred on the apostles, and on many in the Church, promoted the success of the gospel. 2. Another cause of the rapid spread of the gospel in those days was the burning zeal of the apostles and primitive Christians. 3. Divine power attended the Word. 4. The holy tempers, and the holy conduct of the apostles, and of the first believers, produced powerful effects on the hearts of the people. 5. The unity of the Church gave success to the Word. 6. Persecution promoted the cause of Christ, and gave success to the Word. 7. Judgments poured out on wicked men, and on persecutors, gave success to the gospel. 8. The united prayers of the Church gave success to the Word.Inferences: 1. How widely different was the propagation of Christianity from that of Mohammedism! The one was by the force of truth and holy example; but the other was by the sword and acts of violence! 2. The effects of primitive times have reached us in these last days. 3. We lay no claim to apostolic gifts; but God has opened a wide door, in our day, for the spread of His gospel. (Theological Sketchbook.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the word of God grew and multiplied. |
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