Observe here, 1. The penman of this sacred history, St. Luke, the same that wrote the gospel, which he calls his FORMER TREATISE, dedicated, both that and this, to the same Theophilus: THE FORMER TREATISE HAVE. MADE,. THEOPHILUS. Observe, 2. The time when St. Luke wrote this holy history, and the p... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The special concern and care which Christ had for his church on earth, before he ascended into heaven. The very first night that he appeared to his disciples, after his resurrection, he breathed on them, and distributed the Holy Ghost among them, John 20:22 both to inform their judgmen... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. The time which our Lord spent here upon earth, between his resurrection and ascension; it was forty days; Christ would not presently ascend into heaven, as soon as he was risen, but thought fit to stay some time with his disciples, to confirm their faith in the belief of his resurrection... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. How frequently Christ renewed his promise to his disciples, of sending down the Holy Ghost to confer upon them the gifts of tongues and miracles, in order to the fitting and furnishing of them for their work of preaching and publishing the gospel to all nations: YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WI... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The disciples' question and our Saviour's answer: 1. The question proposed by the disciples, LORD, WILT THOU AT THIS TIME RESTORE AGAIN THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL? That is, Wilt thou repair the ruinous condition of the Jewish state, and restore it to that great dignity and splendour which... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How Christ, instead of gratifying his disciples curiosity, acquaints them with their own duty; he tells them, that although they had received his Spirit before, in some measure, yet very shortly the Spirit should be poured forth upon them in. plentiful manner, to confer the gift of ton... [ Continue Reading ]
Here an account is given of our Saviour's triumphant ascension into heaven, with several remarkable particulars thereunto belonging. Observe, 1. Who and what it was that ascended; even the same that descended. Christ Jesus, in his divine nature as God, and in his human nature as man, his person con... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How the spectators of our Lord's ascension were justly transported into an extacy of wonder and admiration. Christ ascended gradually and leisurely, that he might at once confirm the faith, and delight the eyes and minds of his beholders. Whilst they thus stood admiring, two angels, in... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostles having seen our Saviour thus gloriously ascended into heaven from Mount Olivet, they return to Jerusalem; which is called. sabbath-day's journey that is, about two miles. Eight furlongs make. mile, and Bethany, in which was the Mount of Olivet, was from Jerusalem about fifteen furlongs,... [ Continue Reading ]
During the ten days stay and continuance of the apostles at Jerusalem, before the feast of Pentecost,. motion was made among them for filling up the vacancy in the sacred college of the apostles, which was occasioned by the death of the traitor Judas; and here we have observable, 1. The person that... [ Continue Reading ]
Judas having in the forementioned manner made void his office, and being gone to his own place, St. Peter moves the company, that another person may be chosen to fill up the place. Where note, 1. The electors or persons choosing; namely, the hundred and twenty; these were the eleven apostles, the s... [ Continue Reading ]