Acts 14:26-28 And there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.… If when we contrast the voyage of Paul and Barnabas across the bay of Attalia with the voyage of those who sailed over the same waters eleven centuries later, our minds are powerfully drawn towards the pure days of early Christianity, when the power of faith made human weakness irresistibly strong, the same thoughts are not less forcibly presented when we contrast the reception of the Crusaders at Antioch with the reception of the apostles in the same city. We are told that Raymond, "Prince of Antioch," waited with much expectation for the arrival of the French king; and that when he heard of his landing at Seleucia he gathered together all the nobles and chief men of the people and went out to meet him, and brought him into Antioch with much pomp and magnificence, showing him all reverence and homage, in the midst of a great assemblage of the clergy and people. All that Luke tells us of the reception of the apostles after their victorious campaign is what he says in the text. Thus the kingdom of God came at the first "without observation" — with the humble acknowledgment that all power is given from above, and with a thankful recognition of our Father's love to all mankind. (J. S. Howson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. |
    |