And (1) Saul, yet (a) breathing out threatenings and slaughter against
the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
(1) Saul (who is also Paul), persecuting Christ most cruelly, who did
as it were flee before him, falls into Christ's hands, and is
overcome: and with a singular example of t... [ Continue Reading ]
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he
found any of this (b) way, whether they were men or women, he might
bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
(b) Any trade of life which a man take upon himself the Jews call a
"way".... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest: [it is] (c) hard for thee to kick against the
pricks.
(c) This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through their
stubbornness hurt themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men which journeyed with him (d) stood speechless, hearing a
(e) voice, but seeing no man.
(d) Stood still and could not go one step forward, but remained amazed
as stood still like statues.
(e) They heard Paul's voice: for afterwards it is plainly said in
(Acts 22:9) that they did not hea... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called
Saul, of (f) Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
(f) Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near to Anchiala. It is said that
Sardanapalus built these two cities in one day.... [ Continue Reading ]
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a (g) chosen vessel
unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel:
(g) To bear my name in.... [ Continue Reading ]
For I will (h) shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's
sake.
(h) I will plainly show him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Ananias went his way, and entered into (i) the house; and putting
his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that
appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou
mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
(i) Into Judas' house.... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is
the Son of God.
(2) Paul begins immediately to execute the office which was given and
commanded to him, never consulting with flesh and blood.... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews
which dwelt at Damascus, (k) proving that this is very Christ.
(3) Paul does not do battle only with his own authority, but also with
the testimonies of the Prophets.
(k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as skilful... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to
kill him:
(4) Paul, who was before a persecutor, now has persecution planned
against himself, though it will not happen for a long time.... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the
wall in a basket.
(5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and
conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, but only if we do not
swerve from our vocation.... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to
the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that
he was a disciple.
(6) In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into the
members and the sheep of the Church, much less to be a pastor.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) And he was (l) with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
(7) The steadfast servants of God must look out for danger after
danger: yet God watches out for them.
(l) With Peter and James, for he says that he saw none of the apostles
but them; (Galatians 1:18).... [ Continue Reading ]
And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed
against the (m) Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
(m) See (Acts 6:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) [Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea,
and sent him forth to Tarsus.
(8) The ministers of the word may change their place with the advice
and counsel of the congregation and church.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and
Samaria, and were (n) edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord,
and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
(9) The result of persecutions is the building of the Church, so that
we will patiently wait for the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all [quarters],
he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
(10) Peter's apostleship is confirmed by the healing of the man who
suffered from paralysis.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that dwelt at (o) Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the
Lord.
(o) Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Saron a first-class country,
and a place which was excellent for grazing, between Caesarea of
Palestine and Mount Tabor, and the lake of Gennesaret, which goes far
beyond Joppa.... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and
almsdeeds which she did.
(11) Peter clearly declares, by raising up a dead body through the
name of Christ, that he preaches the glad tidings of life.... [ Continue Reading ]