But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the
apostles,
&c.] To Peter and James, the brother of our Lord, for no
other apostles did he see at this time, ( gal 1:18
gal
1:19 ) . It is probable that Barnabas had been at Damascus,
and had there related to him, the whole account of Saul's
conversion and entrance on the ministry, which he gives a
particular relation of, as follows:
and declared unto them, how he had seen the Lord in the
way;
he told the apostles, Peter and James, how that Christ had
appeared to him in person, as he was on his way to Damascus:
and that he had spoken to him;
and expostulated with him about his persecution of him in his
members, and bid him go into the city, where it should be told
him what he should do:
and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of
Jesus;
that he had used great freedom of speech, and had shown courage
and greatness of mind in preaching Christ at Damascus, both as
soon as he was converted, and now upon his return thither. Hence
it is manifest, that previous to admission into a church of
Christ, and in order to satisfy the members of it, and gain their
assent to such an admission, there ought to be a declaration made
of the work of grace upon the souls of such, who propose to be
joined to it; as how the Lord has met with them, and shown them
the evil of their ways, and given them repentance unto life; and
how they have had a sight of him by faith, and have looked to
Christ and believed in him for the salvation of their souls; and
how they have embraced the doctrines of the Gospel, and have
found much sweetness and comfort in them; and that from a
principle of love to him, and faith in him, and with a view to
his glory, they are willing to submit to his ordinances, and to
walk in holy fellowship with his people; and such an account of
Saul being given by Barnabas, who had had it from him; and this
being, no doubt, declared and attested by Saul himself, he was
received into fellowship with the disciples: hence it follows,