William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Acts 11:27

Observe here, 1. That the wisdom of God, at the first planting of the Christian church, did confer upon some of its members extraordinary gifts; as the gift of tongues, the gift of miracles, the gift of prophecy, and the like.

Accordingly, at this time, certain persons who had the gift of prophecy, and did foretell things to come, being now at Antioch, by revelation from the Spirit of God, foretold that there would shortly be. great famine over all Judea, and several other parts of the world: which exactly came to pass in the reign of the emperor Claudius.

Where note, That as it is God's prerogative to foreknow future things, so it is his prerogative to enable others to foretell future things.

This famine was here foretold, not by judicial astrology, but by divine revelation: That God, who provided for the patriarchs, by means of Joseph's foreseeing the famine in Egypt, provided now for the Christians, by Agabus's foretelling the famine which came upon Judea: "Agabus stood up and signified by the Spirit, that there should be. great dearthy throughout Judea." As God's omnipotence is exerted for his church's protection, so is his omniscience employed for its sustentation and preservation: Yea, all his attributes are engaged for her benefit and advantage.

Observe, 2. The full proof and evidence which the new converts at Antioch gave of the truth of their conversion to the Christian religion: Namely, their charity, and alms seasonably sent to the succour and relief of their fellow-members in Christ, which were in Judea. These were become very poor, by reason of the extraordinary malice, and long persecution of the Jews against them. And the seasonable succour now sent them from Antioch, was. singular comfort to them, and. sweet-smelling sacrifice unto God.

Observe lastly, The wise regulation of their charity, "every man gave according to his ability." This is the true standard of charity: We are to give alms of such things as we have, and according to what we have.

Christian prudence must direct us in the exercise of Christian charity; that must direct us in finding fit and proper objects for our charity, that we may give most to them that have most need.

Prudence must also direct us in timing our charity, that we do not put our poor brethren off with frivolous excuses and tedious delays.

And it must direct us in the measure of our charity, that it doth not exceed the bounds of our estates.

Few indeed are guilty of erring on that hand; but it is possible there may be an error in the excess, as well as in the defect, of our Christian charity.

To prevent both evils, let the practice of these primitive Christians be. pattern for our imitation: "Who determined everyone according to his ability to send relief unto the brethren, and sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Acts 11:27

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