And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. Ver. 1. _Had also received the word_] Not only informed, but reformed: yea, so transformed the Churches were into the same image of the word from glory to glory, that they became at length c... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Ver. 2. _Contended with him_] They should rather have commended him: so hard it is to part with a rooted error: so ordinary it is for faithful ministers to meet with such as will dare to reprehend what t... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. Ver. 3. _Saying, Thou wentest in, &c._] This was now no fault, but in their conceit only. Ignorance is the mother of many mistakes, and miscarriages thereupon. How exceedingly was Job miscensured by his friends; Gideon and Jepht... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter rehearsed _the matter_ from the beginning, and expounded _it_ by order unto them, saying, Ver. 4. _But Peter rehearsed_] With singular modesty he seeks to satisfy them (if reason will do it), and to quench their wild fire by casting milk upon it. Zuinglius and Oecolampadius endeavoured to... [ Continue Reading ]
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Ver. 5.-15 See the notes on that part of the former chapter whereof this is but a repetition.... [ Continue Reading ]
Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any ti... [ Continue Reading ]
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as _he did_ unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? Ver. 17. _What was I that I could withstand God?_] Whose power is irresistible, whose will is a law, yea, _Voluntas Dei, necessitas rei:_ and God hath pu... [ Continue Reading ]
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Ver. 18. _They held their peace_] And by their silence showed they were satisfied: as did Jonah, by shutting up his prophecy in silence, and giving God th... [ Continue Reading ]
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. Ver. 19. _Now they which were scattered abroad_] _See Trapp on "_ Act 8:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. Ver. 20. _Spake unto the Grecians_] Not the Grecizing Jews, _as _ Act 6:1 but the Grecians which were Gentiles, to whom the light now began to break forth, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Ver. 21. _And a great number believed_] God sealing his approval of what they did, by an extraordinary success. He hath a mighty hand, and can fetch in multitudes at his pleasure. We hope he is doing some... [ Continue Reading ]
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Ver. 22. _And they sent forth Barnabas_] A very fit man; for he was a "son of consolation," and would handle those young plants with all tendernes... [ Continue Reading ]
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Ver. 23. _That with purpose of heart_] As it is recorded of Caleb, that he "fulfilled after God," Numbers 14:24. _Caleb implevit post me._ It stands men upo... [ Continue Reading ]
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Ver. 24. _For he was a good man_] Few exist today. " _Rari quippe boni-_ Iam nec Brutus erit, Bruti nec avunculus usquam. " (Juvenal.) Anthony de Guevara tells a merry story of the host at N... [ Continue Reading ]
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: Ver. 25. _Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to seek Saul_] Not fearing to be outshined by him, who was now grown an admirable preacher, and an insatiable worshipper of Christ, _a_ but seeking the setting-up of Christ's kingdom by all means poss... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Ver. 26. _Called Christians_] Called so by divine direction, as the word χρημα... [ Continue Reading ]
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. Ver. 27. _From Jerusalem unto Antioch_] The Church whereof was now grown so famous by the pious labours of Paul and Barnabas, that many holy and learned men resorted thither, as to a common school or academy. _a_ So did various, in our fo... [ Continue Reading ]
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Ver. 28. _And there stood up one_] So Bishop Hooper prophesied, long before, of his own death. For, taking Mr Bulli... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Ver. 29. _Every man according_] For to stretch beyond the staple is to mar all. A good man showeth mercy, but yet ordereth his affairs with discretion, Psalms 112:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Ver. 30. _Which also they did_] _Nos non eloquimur magna, sed vivimus, _ said the primitive Christians. This age aboundeth with mouth mercy (Go, and be fed, warmed, &c., Jam 2:14-26), which is good cheap. But a little... [ Continue Reading ]