SPIRITUAL QUALITY (4)

SPIRITUAL QUALITY (4)

Acts 15:22-28; Acts 16:1 - 5; Acts 16:14,15; Acts 18:24-28

SMcC In this section of Acts, chapters 16 to 20, we have the unparalleled energy of Paul, the Holy Spirit acting in him and through him, before us, and it is thought well that we might just briefly look at the passage in chapter 15 before going on to it. The thought of spiritual quality has been before us, and we shall see it greatly augmented in this section, especially from chapters 16 to 21, where we have the unique section that we may call a distinctly Pauline section where there is brought before us the stream of Pauline energy, unsurpassed and unprecedented, and it is a remarkable thing that the section begins with a Cyprian, Barnabas, moving out of the stream, and it ends with a Cyprian moving in the stream - “a certain Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we were to lodge,” Acts 21: 16. They were to lodge with him in Jerusalem, showing how remarkable the work of God is in that case. After the dissension between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark, Barnabas recedes into the background, beloved man as he was, and the Spirit of God focuses our attention on Paul, the vessel of unparalleled energy in the Lord’s work reaching to European parts, and the work in all its precious quality coming before us in different ones referred to; Timothy, Lydia, Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla, but it was thought well that we should just for a moment look at chapter 15 as to the quality that appears there.

We have been helped in recent times to see the remarkable place this chapter has, and the more you read it and pursue it verse by verse the more you are impressed with the quality that appears in it,

especially in those who lead as well as in the assembly itself. It is a great matter that there should be spiritual quality in those who lead among the saints, because if there is not spiritual quality in those who lead we may have damaging results and defects among the saints, and issues may be undefined and beclouded, but what shines in chapter 15 in these men who come before us; Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James and others, is the remarkable spiritual quality that marks them, and especially are we to note too in this section the idea of confirmation of the assemblies.

In chapter 14 we have “establishing the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to abide in the faith” (verse 22), and at the end of chapter 15, “confirming the assemblies,” and at the beginning of chapter 16 “the assemblies therefore were confirmed,” and this is a feature we are to take account of, and especially is it salutary for those who serve the saints in any measure to keep in mind that the prime object in ministry is to build up, not to overthrow and divide, but to confirm, and it is a great thing that we should be confirmed in our gatherings, and it is remarkable as Paul’s ministry comes into the ascendency in this book that confirmation of the assemblies is stressed. We should look for confirmation on that line but in this section in Acts 15 where we get “chosen men,” and “leading men among the brethren,” “our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” all that is an intensification of the subject of our enquiry, quality in the assembly and especially in those who give a lead among the brethren. It is important that there should be those who give a lead, and that quality should be in such. It is an important matter that in all the gatherings those who take a leading part should be consistent with the truth, otherwise the truth may be held in disrepute.

GSR “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Is that a supreme expression of quality in the assembly then?

SMcC I would say it was. The fact that they linked a divine Person, the Holy Spirit with them in this great matter is stressing quality that is now arrived at in administrative action. Looking over the years, we have to take account of the fact that the gatherings for care often lacked a good deal of quality. But now the Lord is calling attention to the beloved sisters, and has brought them into the matter, this thought of quality is to be intensified, and I do not think we shall find in the gatherings for care the same outbreak of feeling or unrefined expression, perhaps uncouth expressions as may have been in times before.

OMR Verse 6 of chapter 15, “the apostles and elders were gathered together to see about this matter” - they were those who gave a lead. Is it distinct from verse 22 where it is “the apostles... and elders, with the whole assembly”?

SMcC It would look as if, from the way we formerly have taken account of it, without looking into it too specifically that verse 6 implies a different meeting. Notice in verse 4 “and being arrived at Jerusalem they were received by the assembly, and the apostles and elders,” and then verse 6 “and the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. And much discussion having taken place, Peter standing up,” and then verse 12, “and all the multitude kept silence,” showing that verse 6 is not a separate meeting as we have been accustomed to think. Verse 6 might appear at the first reading to imply a different meeting, but as we read the context we see it is not a different meeting, because verse 12 says “all the multitude,” not the apostles and elders. It is a matter in verse 6 of the apostles and elders taking a lead in the discussion which would always be comely in the gatherings for care, that there are those who have certain moral authority. We do not have apostles today nor official elders, but we have what is authoritative in the assembly on the principle of experience and we need to make room for that in our gatherings for care. It does not imply that everybody has something to say and should say something on a matter, but those with experience with God would give a good lead.

OMR I think we have recently been helped on that, and what you say greatly confirms the matter, that there were those who were really giving a lead and seeing about the matter actively and audibly.

SMcC That is it, while the great governing feature in the chapter is the assembly. Then we find in those who are able to help the saints a remarkable lead. They employ the Scriptures, and have a sound judgment and a sound application of principles based on the word of God, and all this enters into the matter of quality in those gathered for care.

OEF Would you say the word as to the angels of the assemblies in Revelation would be the Spirit appealing to something of quality there?

SMcC Well, to those in responsibility, the responsible element which is always taken account of however difficult the position may seem to be.

JR In regard to confirming the assemblies, is the current ministry as to the Person of Christ and the assembly necessary for that?

SMcC It is remarkable that this thought of confirming the assemblies comes in in relation to the Pauline ministry. Peter’s ministry does not bring it before us, but Paul’s ministry does.

AEMcC Does quality in these persons stand out in contrast to those mentioned in verse 5, “some of those who were of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, rose up from among them, saying that they ought to circumcise them and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses”? Some went out from among them later.

SMcC That is how the truth stands. As you read Galatians with Acts 15 it gives us Paul’s personal account of the matter and remarkable things come in, and it shows how Paul was not afraid nor stood in awe of those who seemed to have a place. There were those he had regard for who gave him the right hand of fellowship, who were conspicuous as pillars, and I think in a crisis where an issue as to the truth or as to principle is involved, you will always find that what is not in accordance with the truth will show itself, and those that the Lord is approving will be manifest.

JW Would we see spiritual quality in Joshua, “Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying, Moses my servant is dead; and now rise up, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people into the land which I give unto them,” Joshua 1: 2.

SMcC Yes, that is so. Moses was a remarkable servant, and Joshua was a remarkable servant. Notice how Jehovah said, “Moses my servant is dead.” Attention has been drawn recently to the fact that it is not good to say that a believer or a servant of the Lord has passed away. God does not say that. He does not say Moses has passed away, but “Moses my servant is dead,” or as we may say in New Testament language has fallen asleep. Moses was a wonderful servant, and Joshua was a wonderful servant, and it is interesting to see how God comes in to confirm Joshua in regard of carrying on, and God would confirm all the younger brethren as to carrying on. “Be strong and courageous, for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I have sworn unto their fathers to give them,” verse 6.

Think of the brethren in this place, and in other parts of the world who have suffered and stood for the truth, and it is a great thing to be prepared to carry on. It does not matter what is coming up. God will strengthen our hands to carry on, we who are younger.

LC The matter of choice comes in here in the beginning of the section, “chosen men from among them.” In the case of Stephen it was “Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,” Acts 6: 3. Would that indicate that as we move on in faith we would see quality showing itself among the saints?

SMcC I am sure that is so. We need to be on the qui vive spiritually as to that, to see what is coming in as light. We should look over the ground in our cities and take account of what is there and make room for it, and make the most of it. The Spirit of God had indited this passage, “Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, Judas called Barsabas and Silas, leading men among the brethren.” We want to see what quality lies in that, and then we read verse 26, “our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Given up their lives,” the Pauline stream and current as we move in it will bring us face to face with this. Paul says in chapter 20: 24, “But I make no account of my life as dear to myself, so that I finish my course.” “Men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Many of us could perhaps have been far more prosperous in the world had it not been for the call of the testimony, and we have to see what Christ and the assembly involves, and what living in the stream of the Pauline ministry involves; it is the principle of giving up our lives in the world.

HD Would the way the word ‘men’ is repeated to call attention to the feature of true manhood?

SMcC That is the point that the reference in Acts 15 has in mind, that manhood should come to light. Men suggests those who are fully developed in their faculties and senses, I think we shall see more and more in the light of Acts 15 quality among the brethren and in the assembly.

JR Would it be seen in our care meetings?

SMcC That is what I am thinking about, that leadership really shines, not just in giving an address or preaching the word of God, but it really shines in matters of conflict, and in the matters of the truth connected with the gathering for care.

DMD These brethren go with Paul, “chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas,” and then “Judas called Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,” as if they were taking on the Pauline ministry and supporting it.

SMcC That is it, and it is a great thing for all of us because Christendom sets the Pauline ministry aside, and we have to see the proper place it has in relation to Christ and the assembly, because it is remarkable in this chapter, when you look into it at the beginning especially, to see who is causing joy among the brethren. Certainly not the Judaistic leaders, they were bringing in distress and burdens more than the brethren could bear, but it says of Paul and Barnabas, “They therefore having been set on their way by the assembly, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of those of the nations. And they caused great joy to all the brethren.” What did they cause great joy by? By relating the work of God, and all that God had wrought with them. As someone once said, The Judaising men were doing all the talking, they were not out in the work with all its diverse sufferings, but were doing all the talking in Jerusalem, but the talkers were met by the workers and the position was secured by the workers, those who were working with God. And you will always find that persons who talk too much and do not put their hands to the work do not cause joy among the brethren, but those who put their hands to the work, do.

DB Scripture does not mention the names of the Judaising talkers.

SMcC I think that is significant. All the men who were honoured, their names are given; those who were upsetting the souls of the disciples their names are not given, but we can see how much is made of these men who have given up their lives.

It is always an advantage to have persons of spiritual and moral influence who can give a good lead, and the great thing is to make room for them, I am not speaking of an official lead, any brother or sister claiming to give a lead because, maybe, they have been a certain time breaking bread, but what this chapter is stressing is men who have moral quality. They had apostolic authority, delegated authority, but they had moral authority. As James says, “Brethren listen to me.” Wonderful man James, he was a leader in the assembly at Jerusalem apparently, and he was a remarkable man. What is to be noted in going on to chapter 16 is the unity in the ministry, unity among those in the assembly, and among those who were giving a lead. Notice what James says in verse 13, “Brethren, listen to me; Simon has related how God first visited to take out of the nations a people for his name. And with this agree the words of the prophets.” He is not looking for something that disagrees. What shines in this chapter is that the brethren are moving in the current of what the Spirit is saying and stressing what agrees. “With this agree the words of the prophets.”

AEMcC A legal outlook would restrict. They go back to Moses all the time.

SMcC That is it, legality is always restrictive, and we want to be saved from it, because the error of legality is worse than the error of the Corinthians. We sometimes think that fornication, and lying and stealing are terrible sins, and by the standards and principles of human and natural propriety we shrink from them; but take a person who is moving on the line of Judaistic principles - Galatian error is more heinous than Corinthian licentiousness. There is no thought of a holy kiss in Galatians, whereas in the midst of all the worldliness at Corinth Paul brings in a holy kiss. We are oftentimes deceived by pious, godly persons who may really oppose the truth on Judaistic lines, and have a definite judgment of those who have fallen into the sins named and think of them as far below these pious persons opposing the truth, but the sin of the pious person who opposes the truth on Judaistic lines is worse than the Corinthian sin.

It is interesting to see in verse 40, chapter 15, “committed by the brethren to the grace of God,” not to the work of God, but to the grace of God. “And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.” That was the line Paul was on, and that is the line we ought to be on, confirming the souls of the disciples as it is said earlier.

ST So you would say they received the truth with readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures, they were not criticising.

SMcC Yes, the first thing about the Bereans, that is often lost sight of is that they received “the word with all readiness of mind, daily searching the Scriptures if these things were so,” Acts 17: 11. We often make out that they searched the Scriptures before they received the word, but that is not the way it is put. They received it first, and then they searched to get confirmation, I think it is a great thing to have that attitude of mind and heart in receiving the truth as it comes to us. When there is a spirit of readiness to receive the word we always get helped in the truth, but immediately you get a challenge to the truth as it is coming towards us in our minds, it takes all that much longer time to bring us to the truth. The Lord says to the man in John 9 after he was cast out “Thou, dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him,” verse 36, I think that is the attitude we need to take on, the Berean attitude.

SWR Would reception of the truth amount to obedience to the truth?

SMcC Yes, I think so. J.B.S. referred to the importance of being obedient to the truth as it comes towards you, and then confirming the matter from the Scriptures.

Now we come to Timothy, and should dwell on him for a moment. He is a remarkable expression of this thought of quality. Of course, while we have only read these first five verses of chapter 16 by extension as we think of Timothy in other parts we can see what a vessel of quality he was, and yet a young man.

LC Does the apostle Paul show his wisdom by the choice of Titus to go with him When conflict was in mind, and the choice of Timothy when it was a question of being an exponent of the truth?

SMcC I think that is very important. You remember he says to the Corinthians in chapter 4, “For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways as they are in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly,” 1 Corinthians 4: 17. It is a wonderful thing to have a young person who is an exponent of the truth, not only in speaking, but a living exponent of the truth and of Paul’s ways as they are in Christ. Some of us may imitate the older ones, but Timothy was an exponent of Paul’s ways as they are in Christ, not as in Adam, not according to the first man, but as in Christ, showing the elevated view Timothy had in regard of Paul.

OL Speaking of the value of sisters, it is remarkable that Timothy got his instruction from his mother and grandmother.

SMcC I think that is good, and it is important to see how the sisters enter into the background of the development of this kind of quality, because it is an important thing in the homes, where the brothers are away so much at work and business, that mothers should be true to the ministry and to the truth, true to the light as to Christ and the assembly in holding the children.

AEMcC Is it important that Timothy is introduced here as a disciple?

SMcC I think it is, showing that he was in “the way.” It says, “And he came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold” - notice that word - “behold a certain disciple was there by name Timotheus, son of a Jewish believing woman, but the father a Greek, who had a good testimony of the brethren in Lystra and Iconium.” It is very interesting that Timothy is introduced with that word ‘behold.’ He was there, that is, he was in the locality, and then it says he had a good testimony of the brethren. That is a very important matter; he was a disciple, that is he was following up things in a disciplined way, and coming under the view and gaze of heaven, and he had a good testimony of the brethren. That is a word for all of us. It is one thing to go to another place and have a good testimony, but what about the gatherings we are in? What about the gatherings we are in in this island? Have we a good testimony of the brethren there? That is an important thing.

OL He says in the epistle to Timothy, “that I may be filled with joy calling to mind the unfeigned faith which has been in thee”; 1 Timothy 1: 4. So faith enters into the matter.

SMcC It does. And how many young people are here this morning who have been brought up in relation to that line? Can it be said of every one of them as Paul could say of Timothy “calling to mind the unfeigned faith which as been in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.” Can it be said that the faith that was in their mothers and grandmothers is in them? Paul said “I am persuaded,” it is not a question of what he was told, but what was seen in these beloved sisters was continued in Timothy, and that is a great matter.

ECL Would the word ‘him’ in verse 3 be important? “Him would Paul have go forth with him.”

SMcC It would stress the matter of quality, ‘Him,’ that kind of person, and I think it is good to say in passing in a simple way that it is important for the younger brethren, brothers and sisters, in view of the regimentation that may take place soon, to look into this matter of having a good report among the brethren. Many of the young brothers were called up in the last war, and some had never committed themselves, and some were not moving very well, and yet they went up and claimed exemption on the grounds of conscience. It is a difficult position; the brethren were called to testify in relation to them, and the young men and women do well to face this matter, and think a long way ahead, and a long way behind too, of what may come up in their lives and having a good report among the brethren will be a great support and help in facing circumstances in their lives.

ECL In regard of Samson it says “The Spirit of Jehovah began to move him at Mahaneh-Dan,” Judges 13: 25. His own locality?

SMcC I think so. He was a remarkable young man and was helped on the line of Nazariteship in connection with the testimony.

LMcF Timothy is addressed as “O man of God” in the epistle. It seems to be the only time the expression is used in the New Testament.

SMcC It is very remarkable, and his knowledge of the Scriptures is stressed, from a child he knew the Scriptures. Timothy knew the Scriptures from a child, showing the importance, dear brethren, of the reading of the Scriptures in our houses. Do we all have the reading of the Scriptures in the mornings? Or do we let our children go out as the children of the world go out? How are our children going out? Fortified against the subtle attempts of the enemy in the schools? Are they fortified through the knowledge of the Scriptures and the reading of the Scriptures in our households every morning? These things are simple things, but enter into the very life of the testimony in view of its continuance.

GSR Is there something in the expression “him would Paul have go forth with him”? I was thinking of the apparent influence and place that Timothy had at Derbe and Lystra, but would this be promotion on the principle of faithfulness, and now he has the great Pauline outlook of suffering and glory.

SMcC I think that is it. “Him would Paul have go forth with him.” A striking contrast to John Mark who went back in the previous chapter, “Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them.” In chapter 13 it says “John separated from them and returned to Jerusalem.”

It would not look as if there was too much in that, but when you come to chapter 15: 38, it says “him who had abandoned them.” It is put in a very serious light, not just that he left them, or separated from them, but abandoned them; a very strong word.

HD Timothy cared with genuine feelings how the saints got on.

SMcC And how much heaven thinks of these younger ones like Timothy who are praying about the brethren and caring for them. It is on that line that we get advanced in the things of God. Like David who had a secret history and cared for the sheep in regard of the lion and the bear before he slew Goliath.

HF Not much is said about Timothy’s father naturally, but would we not see that quality depended much on his spiritual father?

SMcC And we might say that this was a distinct disadvantage to Timothy, and it is remarkable how much we will make of disadvantages, and say we have been hindered, but Timothy, despite the disadvantage as it might seem to be, is a disciple, and has a good testimony of the brethren and is going forward. It is interesting what is said in verse 4, “and as they passed through the cities they instructed them to observe the decrees determined on by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.” That is a very fine tribute to the line Paul was moving on. He was promoting unity, for while they had fought out tremendous issues at the very source and origin of the issue, Jerusalem, he is instructing “them to observe the decrees determined on by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.”

SWR Even the circumcision of Timothy was carried out by Paul.

SMcC It shows the liberty Paul had and what a remarkable man he was. When he went up to Jerusalem with Titus he does not circumcise Titus. He was going into the very realm in which these Judaising teachers were entrenched, and he takes with him an uncircumcised person. What could they say? They could say nothing. There was evidence of the work of God in Titus, concrete evidence. There is no issue at stake here and he circumcises Timothy; it is a certain liberty the apostle assumes in the matter.

OL Moses was handed back to his mother to train him for the service before him.

SMcC I think that should bring us to Lydia. God is stressing the place the sisters have, and it is well for them to fill their part in things. Lydia is a wonderful woman, it says of her in verse 14 “And a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul.” She worshipped God, a very interesting allusion that to a woman, a sister; you do not often get it in the Scriptures. It says of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2: 1, “Hannah prayed and said.” Eli marked her mouth in the first chapter and noticed that she did not speak, but in chapter 2 she says “my mouth is opened wide over mine enemies; for I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as Jehovah for there is none beside thee, neither is there any rock like our God.” She ascribes greatness to God. But here it says of Lydia that she worshipped God. Where, and how? It is a remarkable tribute that in regard of a sister.

Rem Timothy’s mother is brought forward before his father.

SMcC It is to specially stress the maternal and sisterly side. Those who follow the Scriptures closely will notice in the book of Leviticus that the mother in different sections is put before the father. Even young people sometimes think they can get an advantage from their mothers and not from their fathers, but Leviticus would emphasise the mother first as reverence. There is need for reverence for the mother, she is not somebody we try to get around and do as we like with, but one who is to be feared.

It says in verse 13, “And on the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river where it was the custom for prayer to be, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had assembled.” Now notice this matter in this section of praying and worshipping, 1 Corinthians 11 speaks of a woman praying and prophesying, showing we are to look into these matters, and see the place they have, and how they apply, and that there is room for the activity of sisters on this line, I think this lays the basis for the work at Philippi.

GO I was thinking of the mother of Moses, she hid the child when she saw he was a goodly child - she hid him. I was thinking of the activities of the sisters, and how she hid him from the world’s influence.

SMcC That is it, she hid him in the sedge, she did not put him out into the full current of the stream where it was going forward with unabated force, but she hides him in the sedge where the current is broken, and not so strong. That is why there is great concern about sending our children to universities. If they are established in their souls they may come through, but how many have been lost! Education is necessary, of course, but it is a great matter that we do not go beyond what is necessary lest we lose our young people.

EW Lydia traded in purple.

SMcC I do not know that I can say much about that. She had to make a living; we might just be simple about the passage. We have had a good deal said about sisters not working, but we are not to take that to mean that no sister should work, that is not the way the truth is presented, for if a sister has to work to maintain righteousness, she has to work, and Lydia was what we might call a sales lady, she carried on her business and did it well apparently, because she had a house in which she could care for the apostle, and does, and she wants them to come in and abide with her. She says, “If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there.” She does not say ‘You have got to come and stay with me,’ she is not arbitrary, but she says, “If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there.” Now here is a woman who had to go out to work and to sell to keep herself going. She was a practical woman, and we do not want the idea of super spiritual women, but sisters who can translate the truth into practical results. Lydia was not a super spiritual sister, but an ordinary everyday kind of woman who faced the practical affairs and amenities of life.

ECL Even though she was a busy woman she could find time to think of and attend to the things spoken by Paul.

SMcC It has often been said that if you want someone to do something for you, ask a busy person. If you ask an indolent person he may not do it at all, but a busy man or woman is a good person to ask to do something for they will always find time to do it. It is a great matter to be marked by diligence.

AEMcC Lydia would stand out in contrast to the “certain female slave.”

SMcC She does, and she is another person who is apparently working for a living, but what a contrast she is, bringing gain to her masters, but she is the channel for satanic energy to move through, and Paul is not sparing in his remarks in his epistles in regard of such.

JR Would Lydia worshipping God suggest that she had a knowledge of God in her soul?

SMcC That is important. Worshipping would suggest that. Praying is one thing, but worshipping is another. It is stressing quality in Lydia, that she was not only asking for her needs or for the needs of the testimony, but she has a sense in her soul of the greatness of God, and she is a worshipper of God.

LC The Lord Jesus speaks of worship to the woman in John 4. Does that indicate that this matter was going to concern her, and the women are going to be drawn into this matter of worshipping God?

SMcC I am sure that is right, and it is remarkable that the very entrance of the truth into Europe should be linked on with a woman who worships God, and I think there is something in that for us today.

SWR Do you think being outside the gate, and by the river side would be two good positions?

SMcC I think there is something in that. These women were not carrying on gossip or mere worldly conversation as to what was going on within the gates or within the city, but they had the interests of God before them. They were pious women, and Lydia was a hospitable woman. We ought to thank God for the sisters in our localities in whose houses the brethren are ministered to. It is wonderful thing to think of the houses in our cities where the brethren are cared for. There are houses definitely laid out for that and we should thank God for them. You will always find that they will be prospered, they will never be in want.

ST Is there something specific in “whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul”?

SMcC I think so. It is the direct operation of the Lord. It shows what a remarkable woman Lydia was, and the Lord had a definite hand in the matter of her heart being opened, not her ear, but her heart, showing that quality is in mind in this sister, and that is what is coming to light now. There is a good deal we brothers have overlooked in the sisterhood. There is a good deal of quality there, and we need to have our eyes opened to see it.

LMcF Peter speaks of the hidden man of the heart.

SMcC Yes. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward one of tressing of hair, and wearing gold, or putting on apparel; but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price,” 1 Peter 3: 3, 4.

Now, our time has gone, but we might look at chapter 18 and see the quality in these persons, Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla. They were a remarkable trio. Apollos is a wonderful man, a man we may well take account of. He is mighty in the Scriptures, though he does not have the knowledge of the way of God accurately. It is important to see that Priscilla is linked on with Aquila in this matter, the oneness of this beloved brother and sister in their links together in the testimony is remarkable. They took him to them. It has often been noted the comely way it is done. They did not speak to him in front of everybody, but took him to them.

Kingston, Jamaica.