The Pastoral Office
Acts 14:15-18
And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you…


I. ITS TRUE SPIRIT. The minister of Christ is a man of "like passions" with his hearers, and his success depends on his establishing a sense of oneness with them. This is one of Paul's grand themes. It behoved Christ "to be made like unto His brethren."

II. ITS PERILS. Notwithstanding the levelling attacks on it, an undoubted respect for it still exists. In this lies danger. Our people place us on a high pedestal on which we are expected never to stagger. Should we fail in any degree our influence is diminished. If it be enjoined that men should account ministers "stewards of the mysteries of God," it is no less plainly declared that "we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves."

III. ITS WEEK. To call men to "turn from vanities to the living God."

1. No vanity can satisfy the human spirit.

2. God is ready to welcome all who turn to Him.

(M. B. Hogg, B. A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

WEB: "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;




The Living God
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