Observe here, 1. The lively character of. bloody persecutor: HE BREATHES THREATENINGS AND SLAUGHTER AGAINST THE MEMBERS OF CHRIST. His very breath smells of fire; threatenings and slaughter, like lightnings and thunder, proceed out of his mouth. Whilst. persecutor hath in him the breath of his own l... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul was now onward of his journey to Damascus (the worst journey that ever he intended, but the best that ever he undertook,). journey most maliciously purposed by him, but most mercifully disposed by God. Heaven had designed him for better service, and work of another nature; and accordingly he is... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How easily God can make the fiercest persecutor to quake and tremble: Saul is struck down, but it is to convert him, not confound him; he trembles, but his trembling was in order to rejoicing. It was. favourable, though an affrighting stroke, which struck him down, but with design t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The testimony or witnesses of Saul's conversion, to writ, the men that journeyed with him; it is probable that he had. considerable number of officers with him, to bring both men and women that professed Christianity bound to Jerusalem. These saw the light shining and heard. confused n... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The change of Saul's posture; HE AROSE FROM THE EARTH. He that fell to the earth. persecutor; rises up. saint.. free mercy, and astonishing rich grace! that the earth upon which he lay did not open her mouth and swallow him up alive: He that had run away from God, and employed his f... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Though Christ converted Saul himself, yet Ananias his minister must instruct him. By Christ is grace infused, but by his ministers increased; such an honour doth Christ put upon the ministers of the gospel, that he makes use of their endeavours ordinarily both for the production and... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Ananias's reluctancy and fear to go to Saul, because of his former violent persecution, and present commission: LORD,. HAVE HEARD OF THIS MAN &C. Learn, That such as are very ready and forward for Christ's service, may, upon appearing difficulties, hang back, till they be helped ov... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Ananias, though no apostle, no deacon, nor minister, that we read of, but an ordinary and private Christian only, yet he has power to heal Saul of his blindness, and to confer the Holy Ghost; RECEIVE THY SIGHT, AND BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST: If so, undoubtedly he had an extraord... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have an account of St. Paul's entrance upon his ministerial office in preaching the gospel; STRAIGHTAWAY HE PREACHED CHRIST IN THE SYNAGOGUES. Where note, 1. The time of his preaching, STRAIGHTAWAY: he fell presently to his Master's work, not consulting flesh and blood about the difficultie... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have an account of the second place which Paul exercised his ministry in; namely, Jerusalem. Having escaped with his life at Damascus, he comes to Jerusalem and attempts to join himself to the disciples there, who were all afraid of him, knowing how bloody. persecutor he had been. The conve... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "After Saul's miraculous conversion, and after he was sent away, and departed from those parts, where the Jews, his old companions in persecution, could not endure his presence, he having been just before as zealous. persecutor as themselves: Then the churches planted by Philip and others t... [ Continue Reading ]
The Holy Ghost now leaves the relation of St. Paul's life and actions for the present, and returns to give. farther account of St. Peter, what he said, what he did, and what he suffered, particularly at Lydda, at Joppa, and Cesarea: At Lydda he healed Eneas, at Joppa he raised Dorcas, and at Cesarea... [ Continue Reading ]
This chapter concludes with. relation of. second miracle wrought by St. Peter at Joppa, in raising dead Dorcus to life. Where note, 1. The person upon whom this miracle was wrought, Dorcas,. woman rich in good works, full of alms-deeds; yet neither her piety towards God, nor her liberality to the p... [ Continue Reading ]