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I. THE GENERAL PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL BY THE APOSTLES. Their industry in this work was almost incredible. What pains did they take! What hazard did they run! What difficulties and discouragements did they contend with! And yet their success was greater than their industry, and beyond all human expectation, as will appear from the following considerations.

1. The vast spreading of the gospel in so short a time (Revelation 14:6; Isaiah 60:8). In the space of about thirty years after our Lord's death, the gospel was not only diffused through the greatest part of the Roman Empire, but had reached as far as Parthia and India.

2. The wonderful power and efficacy of it upon the lives and manners of men (Romans 15:18). The change of religion led to an entire change of life. So arrange an effect had the gospel upon the lives of its professors, that challenges the Roman Senate to instance in anyone who bore the title of Christian, who was condemned as a thief, or a murderer, or a sacrilegious person, or who was guilty of any of those gross enormities for which so many pagans were every day punished.

3. The weakness and insignificance of the instruments employed in this great work.

4. The mighty opposition that was raised against the gospel. At its first appearance it could not be otherwise, but that it must meet with a great deal of difficulty and opposition, from the lusts and vices of men, which it so plainly and severely condemned, also from the prejudices of men brought up in a contrary religion. Moreover, the powers of the world combined their forces against it.

5. The great discouragements to the embracing the profession of it. There was nothing to invite and engage men to it but the consideration of another world; for all the evils of this world threatened everyone who took the profession of Christianity upon him. Yet, in spite of every obstacle, Christianity not only lived, but grew and prospered. Can any one of the false religions of the world pretend to have been propagated and established in such a manner, merely by their own force, and the evidence and power of truth upon the minds of men; and to have borne up and sustained themselves so long under such fierce assaults, as Christianity has done?

II. THE REASON OF THE GREAT EFFICACY AND SUCCESS OF THE APOSTLES' PREACHING. The power of the Holy Ghost accompanied it, both inwardly operating on the minds of men, and also convincing them by outward and visible signs.

1. Consider the nature of the Spirit's gifts, and the use and end to which they served.

2. Show how the gospel was confirmed by them. CONCLUSION: How sad that this religion, which was so powerful at first, and has Divinity so clearly stamped upon it, should yet have so little effect upon most of those who call themselves Christians! (Hebrews 2:1-4).

(Archbishop Tillotson.)

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KJV: And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

WEB: They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.