OLBGrk; ACTS CHAPTER 8 ACTS 8:1 The disciples being dispersed by reason of a great persecution at Jerusalem, a church is planted by Philip in Samaria. ACTS 8:9 Simon the sorcerer is baptized, with many others. ACTS 8:14 Peter and John are sent thither, who by prayer and imposition of hands give the... [ Continue Reading ]
It was an argument that they were DEVOUT (religious) indeed, that they durst, amongst such a multitude of persecutors and furious zealots, own their esteem for St. Stephen. It was piacular amongst the Jews, to touch the dead corpse of such a one as was put to death for blasphemy; and these perform s... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MADE HAVOC OF THE CHURCH; Saul was a degree beyond the ordinary sort of persecutors, and was, as he does acknowledge himself, eminently _injurious,_ 1 TIMOTHY 1:13. ENTERING INTO EVERY HOUSE; house after house, sparing none. HALING MEN AND WOMEN; as by the hair of their heads. COMMITTED THEM TO P... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the partition wall was about to be broken down, and the Gentiles to be taken into the pale of the church, God provides this strange means towards it. The disciples are forced to flee for their lives out of Jerusalem, and have an opportunity to preach Christ and the gospel wheresoever they came:... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIP; not the apostle, but the deacon of that name; for the apostles remained at Jerusalem, as ACTS 8:1. SAMARIA is a name both of a city and a country, so called from the chief city, 1 KINGS 16:24: here it is taken for that city, or at least a city in that country. PREACHED CHRIST; the doctrine o... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE HEED; a good preparation towards their conversion, seeing _faith cometh by hearing,_ ROMANS 10:17. HEARING AND SEEING THE MIRACLES WHICH HE DID; these miracles were as so many evidences of the truth he spake, by which he showed God's authority for what he said.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNCLEAN SPIRITS, CRYING WITH LOUD VOICE; this is frequently mentioned, as MATTHEW 8:29 MARK 1:26, MARK 3:11 5:8 LUKE 4:41, to show how doth these evil spirits are to be forbid and kept from tormenting and destroying of us; and they are called _unclean spirits, _ because they delight in sin, and inst... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT JOY; not only for the cures wroght upon their bodies, but much more for the word of reconciliation and salvation preached unto their souls: _joy in the Holy Ghost, _ is one of the effects of the kingdom of God, ROMANS 14:17. IN THAT CITY; the despised Samaria rejoices, and the formerly beloved... [ Continue Reading ]
USED SORCERY; magical enchantments, as a wizard. BEWITCHED THE PEOPLE; caused them, as men in an ecstasy, to be amazed at and afraid of him. SOME GREAT ONE; as if he had been God, or at least had some great favour with him, and had received some extraordinary power from him. Ecclesiastical histories... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST; showing how general their mispersuasion was; and no condition is exempt from the grossest mistakes, if not prevented by the grace of God. THIS MAN IS THE GREAT POWER OF GOD; it is said of this Simon, that he gave out himself to be that god, which any nation held to be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAD REGARD; they acquiesced in what he said, and yielded obedience unto it; not only attending to his words with their ears, but with their hearts: so true is that which our Saviour says, 1 THESSALONIANS 5:43, _If_ any man _come in his own name, him will ye receive._ These Samaritans shall rise... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY BELIEVED; before they were baptized, being adult and strangers from the covenant, they must first evidence their right unto it, and profess their faith in Christ, and testify their conversation. CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD; the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of his glory, which is one... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON HIMSELF BELIEVED; Simon believed with an historical faith, that it was indeed true, that our Saviour had done miracles, and did rise from the dead, but his faith, to be sure, was dead all the while; neither did he believe with his heart, or purpose to live according to the law of Christ, which... [ Continue Reading ]
These were sent that they might further confirm the doctrine which Philip had preached amongst the Samaritans, and by apostolical authority constitute a church in Samaria.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY; Peter and John. PRAYED FOR THEM; in this particular they did not pray for all that believed, amongst whom there were several women, ACTS 8:12. THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST; those extraordinary gifts of tongues, of prophesying of working miracles, &c. See ACTS 10:45.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS YET HE WAS FALLEN UPON NONE OF THEM; by which it is plain that the Holy Ghost as the author of saving grace, is not here meant, for so he was fallen upon all them that did believe, for faith is the gift of God; but he was not yet bestowed upon them as the author of those extraordinary gifts m... [ Continue Reading ]
That this laying on of the hands of the apostles was not intended here as any rite whereby the apostles did confirm some, or ordain others, seems evident from the context. THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST; the power of speaking with tongues, and working of miracles; which throughout this book is so ofte... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOLY GHOST; those extraordinary gifts before mentioned; for this appeared visibly and audibly, and by this indeed was signified the great change God's Spirit makes where he comes. HE OFFERED THEM MONEY; this notorious hypocrite values these outward gifts; how much more valuable are the inward an... [ Continue Reading ]
Such an extraordinary power of working miracles he did not desire that he might glorify God, or confirm the truths of the gospel (now professed by him); but out of an insatiable desire of gain, and ambition to keep up his reputation, seeing how the apostles had done beyond what he was able to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MONEY PERISH WITH THEE; a formal execration or curse, not only on his money, but also upon Simon himself; but always to be conditional, viz. unless he repented. THOU HAST THOUGHT: our hearts are to be watched over; our thoughts may be exceeding sinful, as here, which made his words or desires to... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER PART NOR LOT IN THIS MATTER; no inheritance or share in such a thing as this, to wit, either in the receiving or conferring the Holy Ghost; or in that eternal life which we preach; thou hast no part in it, neither art thou fit to be a minister of it. THY HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GO... [ Continue Reading ]
The only remedy and help in his (otherwise) desperate case. This is not spoken as if it were doubtful whether true repentance should obtain pardon, but whether Simon Magus's repentance were true. Repentance is a condition under which God proposeth our pardon and forgiveness, but it is far from being... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GALL OF BITTERNESS; the same with _gall and wormwood,_ DEUTERONOMY 29:18: or gall and bitterness; signifying a very bad constitution and disposition of soul or mind, such as may be compared unto that meat which the gall of any creature hath corrupted. And for Simon Magus to be _in the gall of bi... [ Continue Reading ]
Simon Magus was convinced that he was indeed such as the apostles had spoken him to be; and knowing them to be powerful with God, he desires this of them. He feigns himself to be a true penitent, being terrified with the threatening of St. Peter, ACTS 8:20, and probably fearing the punishment of Ana... [ Continue Reading ]
Not only in the chief city, but in the smallest villages, these great apostles spend their pains; for so it was promised unto them that they should receive power to do, ACTS 1:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Some speak of two Gazas, one distinguished from the other by this epithet of DESERT; but rather there were two ways unto one and the same Gaza, and that it was not the city but the way unto it, which is called desert; by which difference, here mentioned, the angel admonishes Philip not to go the ord... [ Continue Reading ]
OLBGrk; A MAN OF ETHIOPIA: the Ethiopians were the most despicable unto the Jews; and Homer calls them, escatoi anorwn; but God would now show that there is no difference of nations with him; but in every nation, he that worketh righteousness shall be accepted, ACTS 10:35. AN EUNUCH; in great esteem... [ Continue Reading ]
He had some knowledge of the true God, whom he came to worship, and he endeavours after more: and to him that thus hath, shall be given; and they that thus seek, shall find. God will rather work a miracle, than that any that sincerely desire and faithfully endeavour to know him, or his will, should... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT SAID, either by the ministry of an angel, as ACTS 8:26, or by inspiration immediately by himself. GO NEAR; so near that you may speak with him that sits in it. JOIN THYSELF TO THIS CHARIOT; stick close unto it, and leave it not.... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIP RAN THITHER TO HIM; hastening to obey the Divine command, and coveting to gain a soul. HEARD HIM READ THE PROPHET ESAIAS, with a loud voice, it is like, to instruct some of his attendants. UNDERSTANDEST THOU WHAT THOU READEST? Without understanding our reading is but as the tinkling of a cymb... [ Continue Reading ]
A wonderful modesty and humility in so great a man: he takes well Philip's interposing, and questioning with him; he acknowledges his ignorance, and desires further instruction, and condescends to be taught by one so much his inferior.... [ Continue Reading ]
God's providence is remarkable, that the eunuch should be reading this very scripture, which contains such fundamental truths, and which he had most need for to be informed of. The words referred unto are in ISAIAH 53:7. Whether read in the Hebrew tongue, which the eunuch might have learned of many... [ Continue Reading ]
OLBGrk; IN HIS HUMILIATION; when our blessed Saviour was in his lowest condition, and the utmost degree of his exinanition; his soul being made a sacrifice for us, and suffering that desertion for a time we had merited for ever, and his body laid in the grave as in a prison; then HIS JUDGMENT, the p... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM SPEAKETH THE PROPHET THIS? The modestly inquisitive man does get understanding; this question (God so ordering it) brings in the discourse concerning our Saviour. OF HIMSELF, OR OF SOME OTHER MAN? This the eunuch might well make a question, because Isaiah himself suffered much under Manasseh... [ Continue Reading ]
OPENED HIS MOUTH; so they were said to do when they began to speak of some weighty matter. BEGAN AT THE SAME SCRIPTURE; showing that the prophet, in that most signal prophecy, ISAIAH 53:7,8 could not mean such things of himself, nor of Jeremiah, or of any other. PREACHED UNTO HIM JESUS; things in th... [ Continue Reading ]
A CERTAIN WATER; this water is supposed to be a fountain in a town called Bethsora, or a river called Eleutherus, which in that road must needs be passed over; it being otherwise very dry, and water very scarce there. WHAT DOTH HINDER ME TO BE BAPTIZED? Although it was not expressly mentioned, Phili... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ALL THINE HEART: a verbal profession is not a sufficient believing, ROMANS 10:10 though we can discern no other, yet God can, and will not he mocked: Philip, in God's name, requires a faith with all the heart, and not such as Simon Magus had, who is said to believe, and be baptized, ACTS 8:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
In hot countries this was usual, to baptize by dipping the body in the water; and to this the apostle alludes, when he tells the Corinthians, 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1, that they are washed: but God will have mercy, and not sacrifice; sprinkling being as effectual as washing, and as significative also, repr... [ Continue Reading ]
Philip was suddenly and extraordinarily taken away from the eunuch's sight and company, that thereby the eunuch might be the more assured of the truth of those things which had been taught by him. The _rejoicing_ was the effect of his faith; being now justified, he had _peace with God through our Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
Philip was set down by the Spirit at Ashdod of the Philistines, which is called by the Septuagint AZOTUS: names of persons and places do in tract of time vary. This place had been famous for the idol Dagon, 1 SAMUEL 5:3, and for being a chief place of the Philistines, those enemies to God's church;... [ Continue Reading ]