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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>A C T S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. II.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Between the promise of the Messiah (even the latest of those promises)
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and his coming many ages intervened; but between the promise of the
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Spirit and his coming there were but a few days; and during those days
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the apostles, though they had received orders to preach the gospel to
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every creature, and to begin at Jerusalem, yet lay perfectly
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wind-bound, incognito--concealed, and not offering to preach. But in
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this chapter the north wind and the south wind awake, and then they
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awake, and we have them in the pulpit presently. Here is,
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I. The descent of the Spirit upon the apostles, and those that were
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with them, on the day of pentecost,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. The various speculations which this occasioned among the people
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that were now met in Jerusalem from all parts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:5-13">ver. 5-13</A>.
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III. The sermon which Peter preached to them hereupon, wherein he shows
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that this pouring out of the Spirit was the accomplishment of an
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Old-Testament promise
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:14-21">ver. 14-21</A>),
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that it was a confirmation of Christ's being the Messiah, which was
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already proved by his resurrection
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:22-32">ver. 22-32</A>),
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and that is was a fruit and evidence of his ascension into heaven,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:33-36">ver. 33-36</A>.
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IV. The good effect of this sermon in the conversion of many to the
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faith of Christ, and their addition to the church,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:37-41">ver. 37-41</A>.
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V. The eminent piety and charity of those primitive Christians, and
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the manifest tokens of God's presence with them, and power in them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:42-47">ver. 42-47</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ac2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac2_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac2_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Day of Pentecost.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all
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with one accord in one place.
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2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
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mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
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3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
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and it sat upon each of them.
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4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
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speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the
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disciples of Christ. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. When, and where, this was done, which are particularly noted, for
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the greater certainty of the thing.</P>
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<P>
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1. It was <I>when the day of pentecost was fully come,</I> in which
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there seems to be a reference to the manner of the expression in the
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institution of this feast, where it is said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+23:15">Lev. xxiii. 15</A>),
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<I>You shall count unto you seven sabbaths complete,</I> from the day
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of the offering of the first-fruits, which was the next day but one
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after the passover, the sixteenth day of the month Abib, which was the
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day that Christ arose. This day was <I>fully come,</I> that is, the
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night preceding, with a part of the day, was fully past.
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(1.) The Holy Ghost came down at the time of a solemn feast, because
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there was then a great concourse of people to Jerusalem from all parts
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of the country, and the proselytes from other countries, which would
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make it the more public, and the fame of it to be spread the sooner and
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further, which would contribute much to the propagating of the gospel
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into all nations. Thus now, as before at the passover, the Jewish
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feasts served to toll the bell for gospel services and entertainments.
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(2.) This feast of pentecost was kept in remembrance of the giving of
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the law upon mount Sinai, whence the incorporating of the Jewish church
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was to be dated, which Dr. Lightfoot reckons to be just one thousand
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four hundred and forty-seven years before this. Fitly, therefore, is
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the Holy Ghost given at that feast, in fire and in tongues, for the
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promulgation of the evangelical law, not as that to one nation, but to
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every creature.
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(3.) This feast of pentecost happened on the <I>first day of the
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week,</I> which was an additional honour put on that day, and a
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confirmation of it to be the Christian sabbath, <I>the day which the
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Lord hath made,</I> to be a standing memorial in his church of those
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two great blessings--the resurrection of Christ, and the pouring out of
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the Spirit, both on that day of the week. This serves not only to
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justify us in observing that day under the style and title of <I>the
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Lord's day,</I> but to direct us in the sanctifying of it to give God
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praise particularly for those two great blessings; every Lord's day in
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the year, I think, there should be a full and particular notice taken
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in our prayers and praises of these two, as there is by some churches
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of the one once a year, upon Easter-day, and of the other once a year,
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upon Whit-sunday. Oh! that we may do it with suitable affections!</P>
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<P>
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2. It was when <I>they were all with one accord in one place.</I> What
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place it was we are not told particularly, whether in the temple, where
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they attended at public times
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:53">Luke xxiv. 53</A>),
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or whether in their own upper room, where they met at other times. But
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it was at Jerusalem, because this had been the place which God chose,
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to put his name there, and the prophecy was that thence the word of the
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Lord should go forth to all nations,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:3">Isa. ii. 3</A>.
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It was now the place of the general rendezvous of all devout people:
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here God had promised to meet them and bless them; here therefore he
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meets them with this blessing of blessings. Though Jerusalem had done
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the utmost dishonour imaginable to Christ, yet he did this honour to
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Jerusalem, to teach his remnant in all places; he had this in
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Jerusalem. Here the disciples were in one place, and they were not as
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yet so many but that one place, and no large one, would hold them all.
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And here they were <I>with one accord.</I> We cannot forget how often,
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while their Master was with them, there were <I>strifes among them, who
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should be the greatest;</I> but now all these strifes were at an end,
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we hear no more of them. What they had received already of the Holy
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Ghost, when Christ breathed on them, had in a good measure rectified
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the mistakes upon which those contests were grounded, and had disposed
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them to holy love. They had prayed more together of late than usual
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:14"><I>ch.</I> i. 14</A>),
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and this made them love one another better. By his grace he thus
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prepared them for the gift of the Holy Ghost; for that blessed dove
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comes not where there is noise and clamour, but moves upon the face of
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the still waters, not the rugged ones. Would we have the Spirit
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<I>poured out upon us from on high?</I> Let us be all of one accord,
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and, notwithstanding variety of sentiments and interests, as no doubt
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there was among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for,
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where <I>brethren dwell together in unity,</I> there it is that <I>the
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Lord commands his blessing.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. How, and in what manner, the Holy Ghost came upon them. We often
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read in the old Testament of God's coming down in a cloud; as when he
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took possession first of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple,
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which intimates the darkness of that dispensation. And Christ went up
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to heaven in a cloud, to intimate how much we are kept in the dark
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concerning the upper world. But the Holy Ghost did not descend in a
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cloud; for he was to dispel and scatter the clouds that overspread
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men's minds, and to bring light into the world.</P>
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<P>
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1. Here is an audible summons given them to awaken their expectations
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of something great,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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It is here said,
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(1.) That it came <I>suddenly,</I> did not rise gradually, as common
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winds do, but was at the height immediately. It came sooner than they
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expected, and startled even those that were now together waiting, and
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probably employed in some religious exercises.
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(2.) It was <I>a sound from heaven,</I> like a thunder-clap,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:1">Rev. vi. 1</A>.
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God is said to <I>bring the winds out of his treasuries</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+135:7">Ps. cxxxv. 7</A>),
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and <I>to gather them in his hands,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30:4">Prov. xxx. 4</A>.
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From him this sound came, like the voice of one crying, <I>Prepare ye
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the way of the Lord.</I>
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(3.) It was the sound of a wind, for the way of the Spirit is like that
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of the wind
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:3">John iii. 3</A>),
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<I>thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes
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nor whither it goes.</I> When the Spirit of life is to enter into the
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dry bones, the prophet is told to <I>prophecy unto the wind: Come from
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the four winds, O breath,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:9">Ezek. xxxvii. 9</A>.
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And though it was not <I>in the wind</I> that the Lord came to Elijah,
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yet this prepared him to receive his discovery of himself in the
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<I>still small voice,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:11,12">1 Kings xix. 11, 12</A>.
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<I>God's way is in the whirlwind and the storm</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Na+1:3">Nah. i. 3</A>),
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and out of the whirlwind he spoke to Job.
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(4.) It was a <I>rushing mighty wind;</I> it was strong and violent,
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and came not only with a great noise, but with great force, as if it
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would bear down all before it. This was to signify the powerful
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influences and operations of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men,
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and thereby upon the world, that they should be <I>mighty through God,
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to the casting down of imaginations.</I>
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(5.) <I>It filled</I> not only the room, but <I>all the house where
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they were sitting.</I> Probably it alarmed the whole city, but, to show
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that it was supernatural, presently fixed upon that particular house:
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as some think the wind that was sent to arrest Jonah affected only the
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ship that he was in
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jon+1:4">Jon. i. 4</A>),
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and as the wise men's star stood over the house where the child was.
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This would direct the people who observed it whither to go to enquire
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the meaning of it. This wind filling the house would strike an awe
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upon the disciples, and help to put them into a very serious, reverent,
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and composed frame, for the receiving of the Holy Ghost. Thus the
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convictions of the Spirit make way for his comforts; and the rough
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blasts of that blessed wind prepare the soul for its soft and gentle
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gales.</P>
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<P>
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2. Here is a visible sign of the gift they were to receive. They saw
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<I>cloven tongues, like as of fire</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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and <I>it sat</I>--<B><I>ekathise</I></B>, not <I>they</I> sat, those
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cloven tongues, but he, that is the Spirit (signified thereby), rested
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upon each of them, as he is said to rest upon the prophets of old. Or,
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as Dr. Hammond describes it, "There was an appearance of something like
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flaming fire lighting on every one of them, which divided asunder, and
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so formed the resemblance of tongues, with that part of them that was
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next their heads divided or cloven." The flame of a candle is somewhat
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like a tongue; and there is a meteor which naturalists call <I>ignis
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lambens--a gentle flame,</I> not a devouring fire; such was this.
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Observe,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) There was an outward sensible sign, for the confirming of the
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faith of the disciples themselves, and for the convincing of others.
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Thus the prophets of old had frequently their first mission confirmed
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by signs, that all Israel might know them to be established
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prophets.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The sign given was fire, that John Baptist's saying concerning
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Christ might be fulfilled, <I>He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost
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and with fire;</I> with the Holy Ghost as with fire. They were now, in
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the feast of pentecost, celebrating the memorial of the giving of the
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law upon mount Sinai; and as that was given in fire, and therefore is
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called a fiery law, so is the gospel. Ezekiel's mission was confirmed
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by a vision of <I>burning coals of fire</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:13"><I>ch.</I> i. 13</A>),
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and Isaiah's by <I>a coal of fire</I> touching his lips,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:7"><I>ch.</I> vi. 7</A>.
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The Spirit, like fire, melts the heart, separates and burns up the
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dross, and kindles pious and devout affections in the soul, in which,
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as in the fire upon the altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up.
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This is that fire which Christ came to send upon the earth.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:49">Luke xii. 49</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) This fire appeared in cloven tongues. The operations of the Spirit
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were many; that of speaking with divers tongues was one, and was
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singled out to be the first indication of the gift of the Holy Ghost,
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and to that this sign had a reference.
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[1.] They were tongues; for from the Spirit we have the word of God,
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and by him Christ would speak to the world, and he gave the Spirit to
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the disciples, not only to endue them with knowledge, but to endue them
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with a power to publish and proclaim to the world what they knew; for
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<I>the dispensation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
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withal.</I>
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[2.] These tongues were cloven, to signify that God would hereby divide
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unto all nations the knowledge of his grace, as he is said to have
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divided to them by his providence the light of the heavenly bodies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:19">Deut. iv. 19</A>.
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The tongues were divided, and yet they still continued all of one
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accord; for there may be a sincere unity of affections where yet there
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is a diversity of expression. Dr. Lightfoot observes that the dividing
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of tongues at Babel was the casting off of the heathen; for when they
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had lost the language in which alone God was spoken of and preached,
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they utterly lost the knowledge of God and religion, and fell into
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idolatry. But now, after above two thousand years, God, by another
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dividing of tongues, restores the knowledge of himself to the
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nations.</P>
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<P>
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(4.) This fire sat upon them for some time, to denote the constant
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residence of the Holy Ghost with them. The prophetic gifts of old were
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conferred sparingly and but at some times, but the disciples of Christ
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had the gifts of the Spirit always with them, though the sign, we may
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suppose, soon disappeared. Whether these flames of fire passed from one
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to another, or whether there were as many flames as there were persons,
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is not certain. But they must be strong and bright flames that would be
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visible in the day-light, as it now was, for the day was fully
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come.</P>
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<P>
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III. What was the immediate effect of this?
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1. <I>They were all filled with the Holy Ghost,</I> more plentifully
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and powerfully than they were before. They were filled with the graces
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of the Spirit, and were more than ever under his sanctifying
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influences--were now holy, and heavenly, and spiritual, more weaned
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from this world and better acquainted with the other. They were more
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filled with the comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the
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love of Christ and the hope of heaven, and in it all their griefs and
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fears were swallowed up. They were also, for the proof of this, filled
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with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which are especially meant here; they
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were endued with miraculous powers for the furtherance of the gospel.
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It seems evident to me that not only the twelve apostles, but all the
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hundred and twenty disciples were <I>filled with the Holy Ghost</I>
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alike at this time--all the seventy disciples, who were apostolic men,
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and employed in the same work, and all the rest too that were to preach
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the gospel; for it is said expressly
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:8,11">Eph. iv. 8, 11</A>),
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<I>When Christ ascended on high</I> (which refers to this,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>he gave gifts unto men,</I> not only <I>some apostles</I> (such were
|
|
the twelve), but <I>some prophets</I> and <I>some evangelists</I> (such
|
|
were many of the seventy disciples, itinerant preachers), and some
|
|
<I>pastors and teachers</I> settled in particular churches, as we may
|
|
suppose some of these afterwards were. The <I>all</I> here must refer
|
|
to the <I>all</I> that were together,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:1;Ac+1:14,15 "><I>v.</I> 1; <I>ch.</I> i. 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. <I>They began to speak with other tongues,</I> besides their native
|
|
language, though they had never learned any other. They spoke not
|
|
matters of common conversation, but the word of God, and the praises of
|
|
his name, <I>as the Spirit gave them utterance,</I> or gave them to
|
|
speak <B><I>apophthengesthai</I></B>--<I>apophthegms,</I> substantial
|
|
and weighty sayings, worthy to be had in remembrance. It is probable
|
|
that it was not only one that was enabled to speak one language, and
|
|
another another (as it was with the several families that were
|
|
dispersed from Babel), but that every one was enabled to speak divers
|
|
languages, as he should have occasion to use them. And we may suppose
|
|
that they understood not only themselves but one another too, which the
|
|
builders of Babel did not,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+11:7">Gen. xi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
They did not speak here and there a word of another tongue, or stammer
|
|
out some broken sentences, but spoke it as readily, properly, and
|
|
elegantly, as if it had been their mother-tongue; for whatever was
|
|
produced by miracle was the best of the kind. They spoke not from any
|
|
previous thought or meditation, but <I>as the Spirit gave them
|
|
utterance;</I> he furnished them with the matter as well as the
|
|
language. Now this was,
|
|
|
|
(1.) A very great miracle; it was a miracle upon the mind (and so had
|
|
most of the nature of a gospel miracle), for in the mind words are
|
|
framed. They had not only never learned these languages, but had never
|
|
learned any foreign tongue, which might have facilitated these; nay,
|
|
for aught that appears, they had never so much as heard these languages
|
|
spoken, nor had any idea of them. They were neither scholars nor
|
|
travellers, nor had had any opportunity of learning languages either by
|
|
books or conversation. Peter indeed was forward enough to speak in his
|
|
own tongue, but the rest of them were no spokesmen, nor were they quick
|
|
of apprehension; yet now not only <I>the heart of the rash understands
|
|
knowledge, but the tongue of the stammerers is ready to speak
|
|
eloquently,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:4">Isa. xxxii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
When Moses complained, <I>I am slow of speech,</I> God said, <I>I will
|
|
be with thy mouth,</I> and <I>Aaron shall be thy spokesman.</I> But he
|
|
did more for these messengers of his: he that made man's mouth new-made
|
|
theirs.
|
|
|
|
(2.) A very proper, needful, and serviceable miracle. The language the
|
|
disciples spoke was Syriac, a dialect of the Hebrew; so that it was
|
|
necessary that they should be endued with the gift, for the
|
|
understanding both of the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, in
|
|
which it was written, and of the original Greek of the New Testament,
|
|
in which it was to be written. But this was not all; they were
|
|
commissioned to <I>preach the gospel to every creature, to disciple all
|
|
nations.</I> But here is an insuperable difficulty at the threshold.
|
|
How shall they master the several languages so as to speak intelligibly
|
|
to all nations? It will be the work of a man's life to learn their
|
|
languages. And therefore, to prove that Christ could give authority to
|
|
preach to the nations, he gives ability to preach to them in their own
|
|
language. And it should seem that this was the accomplishment of that
|
|
promise which Christ made to his disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:12">John xiv. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Greater works than these shall you do.</I> For this may well be
|
|
reckoned, all things considered, a greater work than the miraculous
|
|
cures Christ wrought. Christ himself did not speak with other tongues,
|
|
nor did he enable his disciples to do so while he was with them: but it
|
|
was the first effect of the <I>pouring out of the Spirit</I> upon them.
|
|
And archbishop Tillotson thinks it probable that if the conversion of
|
|
infidels to Christianity were now sincerely and vigorously attempted,
|
|
by men of honest minds, God would extraordinarily countenance such an
|
|
attempt with all fitting assistance, as he did the first publication of
|
|
the gospel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_5"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_6"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_7"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_13"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Day of Pentecost.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of
|
|
every nation under heaven.
|
|
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,
|
|
and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in
|
|
his own language.
|
|
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to
|
|
another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?
|
|
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were
|
|
born?
|
|
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in
|
|
Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
|
|
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya
|
|
about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
|
|
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues
|
|
the wonderful works of God.
|
|
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to
|
|
another, What meaneth this?
|
|
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here an account of the public notice that was taken of this
|
|
extraordinary gift with which the disciples were all on a sudden
|
|
endued. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The great concourse of people that there was now at Jerusalem, it
|
|
should seem more than was usual at the feast of pentecost. <I>There
|
|
were dwelling</I> or abiding <I>at Jerusalem</I> Jews that were
|
|
<I>devout men,</I> disposed to religion, and that had the fear of God
|
|
before their eyes (so the word properly signifies), some of them
|
|
<I>proselytes of righteousness,</I> that were circumcised, and admitted
|
|
members of the Jewish church, others only <I>proselytes of the
|
|
gate,</I> that forsook idolatry, and gave up themselves to the worship
|
|
of the true God, but not to the ceremonial law; some of those that were
|
|
at Jerusalem now, <I>out of every nation under heaven,</I> whither the
|
|
Jews were dispersed, or whence proselytes were come. The expression is
|
|
hyperbolical, denoting that there were some from most of the then known
|
|
parts of the world; as much as ever Tyre was, or London is, the
|
|
rendezvous of trading people from all parts, Jerusalem at that time was
|
|
of religious people from all parts. Now,
|
|
|
|
1. We may here see what were some of those countries whence those
|
|
strangers came
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:9-11"><I>v.</I> 9-11</A>),
|
|
|
|
some from the eastern countries, as the <I>Parthians, Medes, Elamites,
|
|
and dwellers in Mesopotamia,</I> the posterity of Shem; thence we come
|
|
in order to Judea, which ought to be mentioned, because, though the
|
|
language of those in Judea was the same with that which the disciples
|
|
spoke, yet, before, they spoke it with the north-country tone and
|
|
dialect (<I>Thou art a Galilean, and thy speech betrays thee</I>), but
|
|
now they spoke it as correctly as the inhabitants of Judea themselves
|
|
did. Next come the inhabitants of Cappadocia, Pontus, and that country
|
|
about Propontis which was particularly called <I>Asia,</I> and these
|
|
were the countries in which those strangers were scattered to whom St.
|
|
Peter writes.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:1">1 Pet. i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Next come the dwellers in <I>Phrygia and Pamphylia,</I> which lay
|
|
westward, the posterity of Japhet, as were also the <I>strangers of
|
|
Rome;</I> there were some also that dwelt in the southern parts of
|
|
<I>Egypt, in the parts of Libya about Cyrene;</I> there were also some
|
|
from the island of Crete, and some from the deserts of Arabia; but they
|
|
were all either Jews originally, dispersed into those countries; or
|
|
<I>proselytes</I> to the Jewish religion, but natives of those
|
|
countries. Dr. Whitby observes that the Jewish writers about this time,
|
|
as Philo and Josephus, speak of the Jews as <I>dwelling every where
|
|
through the whole earth;</I> and that <I>there is not a people upon
|
|
earth among whom some Jews do not inhabit.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. We may enquire what brought all those Jews and proselytes together
|
|
to Jerusalem at this time: not to make a transient visit thither to the
|
|
feast of pentecost, for they are said to dwell there. They took
|
|
lodgings there, because there was at this time a general expectation of
|
|
the appearing of the Messiah; for Daniel's weeks had just now expired,
|
|
the sceptre had departed from Judah, and it was then generally thought
|
|
that <I>the kingdom of God would immediately appear,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:11">Luke xix. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
This brought those who were most zealous and devout to Jerusalem, to
|
|
sojourn there, that they might have an early share in the kingdom of
|
|
the Messiah and the blessings of that kingdom.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The amazement with which these strangers were seized when they
|
|
heard the disciples speak in their own tongues. It should seem, the
|
|
disciples spoke in various languages before the people of those
|
|
languages came to them; for it is intimated
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
|
|
|
|
that the spreading of the report of this abroad was that which
|
|
<I>brought the multitude together,</I> especially those of different
|
|
countries, who seem to have been more affected with this work of wonder
|
|
than the inhabitants of Jerusalem themselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They observe that the speakers are all Galileans, that know no other
|
|
than their mother tongue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
|
|
|
|
they are despicable men, from whom nothing learned nor polite is to be
|
|
expected. God chose the weak and foolish things of the world to
|
|
confound the wise and mighty. Christ was thought to be a Galilean, and
|
|
his disciples really were so, unlearned and ignorant men.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They acknowledge that they spoke intelligibly and readily their own
|
|
language (which they were the most competent judges of), so correctly
|
|
and fluently that none of their own countrymen could speak it better:
|
|
<I>We hear every man in our own tongue wherein we were born</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, we hear one or other of them speak our native language. The
|
|
Parthians hear one of them speak their language, the Medes hear another
|
|
of them speak theirs; and so of the rest;
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.</I>
|
|
Their respective languages were not only unknown at Jerusalem, but
|
|
probably despised and undervalued, and therefore it was not only a
|
|
surprise, but a pleasing surprise, to them to hear the language of
|
|
their own country spoken, as it naturally is to those that are
|
|
strangers in a strange land.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The things they heard the apostles discourse of were the
|
|
<I>wonderful works of God,</I> <B><I>megaleia tou
|
|
Theou</I></B>--<I>Magnalia Dei, the great things of God.</I> It is
|
|
probable that the apostles spoke of Christ, and redemption by him, and
|
|
the grace of the gospel; and these are indeed the <I>great things of
|
|
God,</I> which will be for ever <I>marvellous in our eyes.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They heard them both praise God for these great things and
|
|
instruct the people concerning these things, <I>in their own
|
|
tongue,</I> according as they perceived the language of their hearers,
|
|
or those that enquired of them, to be. Now though, perhaps, by dwelling
|
|
some time at Jerusalem, they were got to be so much masters of the
|
|
Jewish language that they could have understood the meaning of the
|
|
disciples if they had spoken that language, yet,
|
|
|
|
[1.] This was more strange, and helped to convince their judgment, that
|
|
this doctrine was of God; for <I>tongues were for a sign</I> to those
|
|
that believed not,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:22">1 Cor. xiv. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It was more kind, and helped to engage their affections, as it was
|
|
a plain indication of the favour intended to the Gentiles, and that the
|
|
knowledge and worship of God should no longer be confined to the Jews,
|
|
but the partition-wall should be broken down; and this is to us a plain
|
|
intimation of the mind and will of God, that the sacred records of
|
|
God's wonderful works should be preserved by all nations <I>in their
|
|
own tongue;</I> that the scriptures should be read, and public worship
|
|
performed, in the vulgar languages of the nations.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They wonder at it, and look upon it as an astonishing thing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They were all amazed,</I> they were in an <I>ecstacy,</I> so the
|
|
word is; and they were in doubt what the meaning of it was, and whether
|
|
it was to introduce the kingdom of the Messiah, which they were big
|
|
with the expectation of; they asked themselves and one another <B><I>ti
|
|
an theloi touto einai</I></B>;--<I>Quid hoc sibi vult?--What is the
|
|
tendency of this?</I> Surely it is to dignify, and so to distinguish,
|
|
these men as messengers from heaven; and therefore, like Moses at the
|
|
bush, they will <I>turn aside, and see this great sight.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The scorn which some made of it who were natives of Judea and
|
|
Jerusalem, probably the scribes and Pharisees, and chief priests, who
|
|
always resisted the Holy Ghost; they said, <I>These men are full of new
|
|
wine,</I> or <I>sweet wine;</I> they have drunk too much this
|
|
festival-time,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not that they were so absurd as to think that wine in the head would
|
|
enable men to speak languages which they never learned; but these,
|
|
being native Jews, knew not, as the others did, that what was spoken
|
|
was really the languages of other nations, and therefore took it to be
|
|
gibberish and nonsense, such as drunkards, those <I>fools in
|
|
Israel,</I> sometimes talk. As when they resolved not to believe the
|
|
finger of the Spirit in Christ's miracles, they turned it off with
|
|
this, "He casteth out devils by compact with the prince of the devils;"
|
|
so, when they resolved not to believe the voice of the Spirit in the
|
|
apostles' preaching, they turned it off with this, <I>These men are
|
|
full of new wine.</I> And, if they called the Master of the house a
|
|
wine-bibber, no marvel if they so call those of his household.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_36"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Peter's Sermon at Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice,
|
|
and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all <I>ye</I> that dwell at
|
|
Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
|
|
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is <I>but</I>
|
|
the third hour of the day.
|
|
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
|
|
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I
|
|
will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
|
|
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
|
|
and your old men shall dream dreams:
|
|
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in
|
|
those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
|
|
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the
|
|
earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
|
|
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
|
|
blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
|
|
21 And it shall come to pass, <I>that</I> whosoever shall call on
|
|
the name of the Lord shall be saved.
|
|
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man
|
|
approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs,
|
|
which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also
|
|
know:
|
|
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
|
|
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have
|
|
crucified and slain:
|
|
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:
|
|
because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
|
|
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always
|
|
before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be
|
|
moved:
|
|
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad;
|
|
moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
|
|
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt
|
|
thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
|
|
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make
|
|
me full of joy with thy countenance.
|
|
29 Men <I>and</I> brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
|
|
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his
|
|
sepulchre is with us unto this day.
|
|
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn
|
|
with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to
|
|
the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
|
|
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,
|
|
that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see
|
|
corruption.
|
|
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
|
|
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
|
|
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath
|
|
shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
|
|
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith
|
|
himself, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
|
|
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
|
|
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that
|
|
God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord
|
|
and Christ.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the first-fruits of the Spirit in the sermon which Peter
|
|
preached immediately, directed, not to those of other nations in a
|
|
strange language (we are not told what answer he gave to those that
|
|
were amazed, and said, <I>What meaneth this?</I>) but to the Jews in
|
|
the vulgar language, even to those that mocked; for he begins with the
|
|
notice of that
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
and addresses his discourse
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>to the men of Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem;</I> but we
|
|
have reason enough to think that the other disciples continued to speak
|
|
to those who understood them (and therefore flocked about them), in the
|
|
languages of their respective countries, <I>the wonderful works of
|
|
God.</I> And it was not by Peter's preaching only, but that of all, or
|
|
most, of the rest of the hundred and twenty, <I>that three thousand
|
|
souls were</I> that day converted, and added to the church; but Peter's
|
|
sermon only is recorded, to be an evidence for him that he was
|
|
thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the
|
|
divine favour. He that had sneakingly denied Christ now as courageously
|
|
confesses him. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. His introduction or preface, wherein he craves the attention of the
|
|
auditory, or demands it rather: <I>Peter stood up</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
to show that he was not drunk, <I>with the eleven,</I> who concurred
|
|
with him in what he said, and probably in their turns spoke likewise to
|
|
the same purport; those that were of greatest authority stood up to
|
|
speak to the scoffing Jews, and to confront those who contradicted and
|
|
blasphemed, but left the seventy disciples to speak to the willing
|
|
proselytes from other nations, who were not so prejudiced, in their own
|
|
language. Thus among Christ's ministers, some of greater gifts are
|
|
called out to instruct those that oppose themselves, to take hold of
|
|
sword and spear; others of meaner abilities are employed in instructing
|
|
those that resign themselves, and to be vine-dressers and husband-men.
|
|
<I>Peter lifted up his voice,</I> as one that was both well assured of
|
|
and much affected with what he said, and was neither afraid nor ashamed
|
|
to own it. He applied himself to <I>the men of Judea,</I> <B><I>andres
|
|
Ioudaioi</I></B>--<I>the men that were Jews;</I> so it should be read;
|
|
"and you especially <I>that dwell at Jerusalem,</I> who were accessory
|
|
to the death of Jesus, <I>be this known unto you,</I> which you did not
|
|
know before, and which you are concerned to know now, <I>and hearken to
|
|
my words,</I> who would draw you to Christ, and not to the words of the
|
|
scribes and Pharisees, that would draw you from him. My Master is gone,
|
|
whose words you have often heard in vain, and shall hear no more as you
|
|
have done, but he speaks to you by us; hearken now to our words."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. His answer to their blasphemous calumny
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>These men are not drunken, as you suppose.</I> These disciples of
|
|
Christ, that now <I>speak with other tongues,</I> speak good sense, and
|
|
know what they say, and so do those they speak to, who are led by their
|
|
discourses into the knowledge of <I>the wonderful works of God.</I> You
|
|
cannot think they are drunk, for <I>it is but the third hour of the
|
|
day,</I>" nine of the clock in the morning; and before this time, on
|
|
the sabbaths and solemn feasts, the Jews did not eat nor drink: nay,
|
|
ordinarily, <I>those that are drunk are drunk in the night,</I> and not
|
|
in the morning; those are besotted drunkards indeed who, <I>when they
|
|
awake,</I> immediately <I>seek it yet again,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:35">Prov. xxiii. 35</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. His account of the miraculous effusion of the Spirit, which is
|
|
designed to awaken them all to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join
|
|
themselves to his church. Two things he resolves it into:--that it was
|
|
the fulfilling of the scripture, and the fruit of Christ's resurrection
|
|
and ascension, and consequently the proof of both.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That it was the accomplishment of the prophecies of the Old
|
|
Testament which related to the kingdom of the Messiah, and therefore an
|
|
evidence that this kingdom is come, and the other predictions of it are
|
|
fulfilled. He specifies one, that of <I>the prophet Joel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:28"><I>ch.</I> ii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is observable that though Peter <I>was filled with the Holy Ghost,
|
|
and spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance,</I> yet he did
|
|
not set aside the scriptures, nor think himself above them; nay, much
|
|
of his discourse is quotation out of the Old Testament, to which he
|
|
appeals, and with which he proves what he says. Christ's scholars never
|
|
learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given not to supersede the
|
|
scriptures, but to enable us to understand and improve the scriptures.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The text itself that Peter quotes,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:17-21"><I>v.</I> 17-21</A>.
|
|
|
|
It refers to <I>the last days,</I> the times of the gospel, which are
|
|
called <I>the last days</I> because the dispensation of God's kingdom
|
|
among men, which the gospel sets up, is the last dispensation of divine
|
|
grace, and we are to look for no other than the continuation of this to
|
|
the end of time. Or, <I>in the last days,</I> that is, a great while
|
|
after the ceasing of prophecy in the Old-Testament church. Or, in the
|
|
days immediately preceding the destruction of the Jewish nation, in the
|
|
last days of that people, just before <I>that great and notable day of
|
|
the Lord</I> spoken of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
"It was prophesied of and promised, and therefore you ought to expect
|
|
it, and not to be surprised at it; to desire it, and bid it welcome,
|
|
and not to dispute it, as not worth taking notice of." The apostle
|
|
quotes the whole paragraph, for it is good to take scripture entire;
|
|
now it was foretold,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That there should be a more plentiful and extensive effusion of
|
|
the Spirit of grace from on high than had ever yet been. The prophets
|
|
of the Old Testament had been <I>filled with the Holy Ghost,</I> and it
|
|
was said of the people of Israel <I>that God gave them his good Spirit
|
|
to instruct them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+9:20">Neh. ix. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
But now <I>the Spirit shall be poured out,</I> not only upon the Jews,
|
|
but <I>upon all flesh,</I> Gentiles as well as Jews, though yet Peter
|
|
himself did not understand it so, as appears,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+11:17"><I>ch.</I> xi. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or, <I>upon all flesh,</I> that is, upon some of all ranks and
|
|
conditions of men. The Jewish doctors taught that the Spirit came only
|
|
upon wise and rich men, and such as were of the seed of Israel; but God
|
|
will not tie himself to their rules.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] That the Spirit should be in them a Spirit of prophecy; by the
|
|
Spirit they should be enabled to foretel things to come, and to
|
|
<I>preach the gospel to every creature.</I> This power shall be given
|
|
without distinction of sex--now only <I>your sons,</I> but <I>your
|
|
daughters shall prophesy;</I> without distinction of age--both <I>your
|
|
young men and your old men shall see visions, and dream dreams,</I> and
|
|
in them receive divine revelations, to be communicated to the church;
|
|
and without distinction of outward condition--even the <I>servants and
|
|
handmaids</I> shall receive of <I>the Spirit, and shall prophesy</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
or, in general, men and women, whom God calls his servants and his
|
|
handmaids. In the beginning of the age of prophecy in the Old Testament
|
|
there were <I>schools of the prophets,</I> and, before that, <I>the
|
|
Spirit of prophecy</I> came upon <I>the elders of Israel</I> that were
|
|
appointed to the government; but now the Spirit shall be poured out
|
|
upon persons of inferior rank, and such as were not brought up in the
|
|
schools of the prophets, for the kingdom of the Messiah is to be purely
|
|
spiritual. The mention of <I>the daughters</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>)
|
|
|
|
and <I>the handmaidens</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
would make one think that <I>the women</I> who were taken notice of
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:14"><I>ch.</I> i. 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
received the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, as well as the men.
|
|
Philip, the evangelist, had <I>four daughters who did prophesy</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+21:9"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and St. Paul, finding abundance of the gifts both of tongues and
|
|
prophecy in the church of Corinth, saw it needful to prohibit women's
|
|
use of those gifts in public,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+14:26,34">1 Cor. xiv. 26, 34</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] That one great thing which they should prophesy of should be the
|
|
judgment that was coming upon the Jewish nation, for this was the chief
|
|
thing that Christ himself had foretold
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:1-51">Matt. xxiv.</A>)
|
|
|
|
at his entrance into Jerusalem
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:41">Luke xix. 41</A>);
|
|
|
|
and when he was going to die
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:29">Luke xxiii. 29</A>);
|
|
|
|
and these judgments were to be brought upon them to punish for their
|
|
contempt of the gospel, and their opposition to it, though it came to
|
|
them thus proved. Those that would not submit to the power of God's
|
|
grace, in this wonderful effusion of his Spirit, should fall and lie
|
|
under the pourings out of the vials of his wrath. Those shall break
|
|
that will not bend. <I>First,</I> The destruction of Jerusalem, which
|
|
was about forty years after Christ's death, is here called <I>that
|
|
great and notable day of the Lord,</I> because it put a final period to
|
|
the Mosaic economy; the Levitical priesthood and the ceremonial law
|
|
were thereby for ever abolished and done away. The desolation itself
|
|
was such as was never brought upon any place or nation, either before
|
|
or since. It was <I>the day of the Lord,</I> for it was the day of his
|
|
vengeance upon that people for crucifying Christ, and persecuting his
|
|
ministers; it was <I>the year of recompences for that controversy;</I>
|
|
yea, and for all the blood of the saints and martyrs, <I>from the blood
|
|
of righteous Abel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+23:35">Matt. xxiii. 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was a little day of judgment; it was a <I>notable day:</I> in Joel
|
|
it is called a <I>terrible day,</I> for so it was to men on earth; but
|
|
here <B><I>epiphane</I></B> (after the Septuagint), <I>a glorious,
|
|
illustrious</I> day, for so it was to Christ in heaven; it was the
|
|
epiphany, his appearing, so he himself spoke of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:30">Matt. xxiv. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
The destruction of the Jews was the deliverance of the Christians, who
|
|
were hated and persecuted by them; and therefore that day was often
|
|
spoken of by the prophets of that time, for the encouragement of
|
|
suffering Christians, <I>that the Lord was at hand, the coming of the
|
|
Lord drew nigh, the Judge stood before the door,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:8,9">James v. 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The terrible presages of that destruction are here
|
|
foretold: <I>There shall be wonders in heaven above, the sun turned
|
|
into darkness and the moon into blood; and signs</I> too <I>in the
|
|
earth beneath, blood and fire.</I> Josephus, in his preface to his
|
|
history of the wars of the Jews, speaks of the signs and prodigies that
|
|
preceded them, terrible thunders, lightnings, and earthquakes; there
|
|
was a fiery comet that hung over the city for a year, and a flaming
|
|
sword was seen pointing down upon it; a light shone upon the temple and
|
|
the altar at midnight, as if it had been noon-day. Dr. Lightfoot gives
|
|
another sense of these presages: <I>The blood of the Son of God, the
|
|
fire of the Holy Ghost</I> now appearing, the vapour of the smoke in
|
|
which Christ ascended, <I>the sun darkened, and the moon made
|
|
blood,</I> at the time of Christ's passion, were all loud warnings
|
|
given to that unbelieving people to prepare for the judgments coming
|
|
upon them. Or, it may be applied, and very fitly, to the previous
|
|
judgments themselves by which that desolation was brought on. <I>The
|
|
blood</I> points at the wars of the Jews with the neighbouring nations,
|
|
with the Samaritans, Syrians, and Greeks, in which abundance of blood
|
|
was shed, as there was also in their civil wars, and the struggles of
|
|
the <I>seditious</I> (as they called them), which were very bloody;
|
|
there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in. <I>The
|
|
fire and vapour of smoke,</I> here foretold, literally came to pass in
|
|
the burning of their cities, and towns, and synagogues, and temple at
|
|
last. And this turning of <I>the sun into darkness, and the moon into
|
|
blood,</I> bespeaks the dissolution of their government, civil and
|
|
sacred, and the extinguishing of all their lights. <I>Thirdly,</I> The
|
|
signal preservation of the Lord's people is here promised
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus</I> (which is
|
|
the description of a true Christian,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:2">1 Cor. i. 2</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>shall be saved,</I> shall escape that judgment which shall be a type
|
|
and earnest of everlasting salvation. In the destruction of Jerusalem
|
|
by the Chaldeans, there was a remnant sealed to be hid in <I>the day of
|
|
the Lord's anger;</I> and in the destruction by the Romans not one
|
|
Christian perished. Those that distinguish themselves by singular piety
|
|
shall be distinguished by special preservation. And observe, the saved
|
|
remnant are described by this, that they are a praying people: <I>they
|
|
call on the name of the Lord,</I> which intimates that they are not
|
|
saved by any merit or righteousness of their own, but purely by the
|
|
favour of God, which must be sued out by prayer. It is <I>the name of
|
|
the Lord</I> which <I>they call upon</I> that is <I>their strong
|
|
tower.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The application of this prophecy to the present event
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;</I> it is the
|
|
accomplishment of that, it is the full accomplishment of it. This is
|
|
that effusion of the Spirit upon all flesh which should come, and we
|
|
are to look for no other, no more than we are to look for another
|
|
Messiah; for as our Messiah ever lives in heaven, reigning and
|
|
interceding for his church on earth, so this Spirit of grace, the
|
|
Advocate, or Comforter, that was given now, according to the promise,
|
|
will, according to the same promise, continue with the church on earth
|
|
to the end, and will work all its works in it and for it, and every
|
|
member of it, ordinary and extraordinary, by means of the scriptures
|
|
and the ministry.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That it was the gift of Christ, and the product and proof of his
|
|
resurrection and ascension. From this <I>gift of the Holy Ghost,</I> he
|
|
takes occasion to preach unto them Jesus; and this part of his sermon
|
|
he introduces with another solemn preface
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>You men of Israel, hear these words.</I> It is a mercy that you are
|
|
within hearing of them, and it is your duty to give heed to them."
|
|
Words concerning Christ should be acceptable words to the men of
|
|
Israel. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) An abstract of the history of the life of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He calls him <I>Jesus of Nazareth,</I> because by that name he was
|
|
generally known, but (which was sufficient to roll away that reproach)
|
|
he was <I>a man approved of God among you,</I> censured and condemned
|
|
by men, but approved of God: God testified his approbation of his
|
|
doctrine by the power he gave him to work miracles: <I>a man marked out
|
|
by God,</I> so Dr. Hammond reads it; "signalized and made remarkable
|
|
among you that now hear me. He was sent to you, set up, a glorious
|
|
light in your land; you yourselves are witnesses how he became famous
|
|
by <I>miracles, wonders, and signs,</I> works above the power of
|
|
nature, out of its ordinary course, and contrary to it, <I>which God
|
|
did by him;</I> that is, which he did by that divine power with which
|
|
he was clothed, and in which God plainly went along with him; <I>for no
|
|
man could do such works unless God were with him.</I>" See what a
|
|
stress Peter lays upon Christ's miracles.
|
|
|
|
[1.] The matter of fact was not to be denied: "They were done <I>in the
|
|
midst of you,</I> in the midst of your country, your city, your solemn
|
|
assemblies, <I>as you yourselves also know.</I> You have been
|
|
eyewitnesses of his miracles; I appeal to yourselves whether you have
|
|
any thing to object against them or can offer any thing to disprove
|
|
them."
|
|
|
|
[2.] The inference from them cannot be disputed; the reasoning is as
|
|
strong as the evidence; if he did those miracles, certainly God
|
|
approved him, <I>declared him to be,</I> what he declared himself to
|
|
be, <I>the Son of God</I> and <I>the Saviour of the world;</I> for the
|
|
God of truth would never set his seal to a lie.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) An account of his death and sufferings which they were witness of
|
|
also but a few weeks ago; and this was the greatest miracle of all,
|
|
that a man approved of God should thus seem to be abandoned of him; and
|
|
a man thus approved among the people, and in the midst of them, should
|
|
be thus abandoned by them too. But both these mysteries are here
|
|
explained
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
and his death considered,
|
|
|
|
[1.] As God's act; and in him it was an act of wonderful grace and
|
|
wisdom. He <I>delivered him to death;</I> not only permitted him to be
|
|
put to death, but gave him up, devoted him: this is explained
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:32">Rom. viii. 32</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>He delivered him up for us all.</I> And yet he was approved of God,
|
|
and there was nothing in this that signified the disapproving of him;
|
|
for it was done by <I>the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
|
|
God,</I> in infinite wisdom, and for holy ends, which Christ himself
|
|
concurred in, and in the means leading to them. Thus divine justice
|
|
must be satisfied, sinners saved, God and man brought together again,
|
|
and Christ himself glorified. It was not only according to the will of
|
|
God, but according <I>to the counsel of his will,</I> that he suffered
|
|
and died; according to an eternal counsel, which could not be altered.
|
|
This reconciled him to the cross: <I>Father, thy will be done;</I> and
|
|
<I>Father, glorify thy name;</I> let thy purpose take effect, and let
|
|
the great end of it be attained.
|
|
|
|
[2.] As the people's act; and in them it was an act of prodigious sin
|
|
and folly; it was fighting against God to persecute one whom he
|
|
approved as the darling of heaven; and fighting against their own
|
|
mercies to persecute one that was the greatest blessing of this earth.
|
|
Neither God's designing it from eternity, nor his bringing good out of
|
|
it to eternity, would in the least excuse their sin; for it was their
|
|
voluntary act and deed, from a principle morally evil, and therefore
|
|
"they were <I>wicked hands with which you have crucified and slain</I>
|
|
him." It is probable that some of those were here present who had
|
|
cried, <I>Crucify him, crucify him,</I> or had been otherwise aiding
|
|
and abetting in the murder; and Peter knew it. However, it was justly
|
|
looked upon as a national act, because done both by the vote of the
|
|
great council and by the voice of the great crowd. It is a rule,
|
|
<I>Refertur ad universos quod publice fit per majorem paretm--That
|
|
which is done publicly by the greater part we attribute to all.</I> He
|
|
charges it particularly on them as parts of the nation on which it
|
|
would be visited, the more effectually to bring them to faith and
|
|
repentance, because that was the only way to distinguish themselves
|
|
from the guilty and discharge themselves from the guilt.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) An attestation of his resurrection, which effectually wiped away
|
|
the reproach of his death
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Whom God raised up;</I> the same that delivered him <I>to death</I>
|
|
delivers him <I>from death,</I> and thereby gave a higher approbation
|
|
of him than he had done by any other of <I>the signs and wonders
|
|
wrought by him,</I> or by all put together. This therefore he insists
|
|
most largely upon.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] He describes his resurrection: God <I>loosed the pains of death,
|
|
because it was impossible that he should be holden of it;</I>
|
|
<B><I>odinas</I></B>--<I>the sorrows of death;</I> the word is used for
|
|
<I>travailing pains,</I> and some think it signifies <I>the trouble and
|
|
agony</I> of his soul, in which <I>it was exceedingly sorrowful, even
|
|
to the death;</I> from <I>these pains and sorrows of soul, this travail
|
|
of soul, the Father loosed him</I> when at his death he said, <I>It is
|
|
finished.</I> Thus Dr. Godwin understands it: "Those terrors which made
|
|
Heman's soul lie like <I>the slain</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+88:5,15">Ps. lxxxviii. 5, 15</A>)
|
|
|
|
had hold of Christ; but he was too strong for them, and broke through
|
|
them; this was <I>the resurrection of his soul</I> (and it is a great
|
|
thing to bring a soul <I>out of the depths</I> of spiritual agonies);
|
|
this was not leaving his soul in hell; as that which follows, <I>that
|
|
he should not see corruption,</I> speaks of the resurrection of his
|
|
body; and both together make up the great resurrection." Dr. Lightfoot
|
|
gives another sense of this: "Having <I>dissolved the pains of
|
|
death,</I> in reference to all that believe in him, God raised up
|
|
Christ, and by his resurrection <I>broke all the power of death,</I>
|
|
and destroyed its pangs upon his own people. He <I>has abolished
|
|
death,</I> has altered the property of it, and, because <I>it was not
|
|
possible that he should be</I> long <I>holden of it, it is not possible
|
|
that they should be</I> for ever holden." But most refer this to the
|
|
resurrection of Christ's body. And death (says Mr. Baxter) is by
|
|
privation a penal state, though not dolorous by positive evil. But Dr.
|
|
Hammond shows that the Septuagint, and from them the apostle here, uses
|
|
the word for <I>cords</I> and <I>bands</I> (as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:4">Ps. xviii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
to which the metaphor of loosing and being held best agrees. Christ was
|
|
imprisoned for our debt, was thrown into the bands of death; but,
|
|
divine justice being satisfied, it was not possible he should be
|
|
detained there, either by right or by force; for he had life in
|
|
himself, and in his own power, and had conquered the prince of
|
|
death.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] He attests the truth of his resurrection
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>God hath raised him up, whereof we all are witnesses</I>--we
|
|
apostles, and others our companions, that were intimately acquainted
|
|
with him before his death, were intimately conversant with him after
|
|
his resurrection, <I>did eat and drink with him.</I> They <I>received
|
|
power,</I> by <I>the descent of the Holy Ghost upon them,</I> on
|
|
purpose that they might be skilful, faithful, and courageous witnesses
|
|
of this thing, notwithstanding their being charged by his enemies as
|
|
having stolen him away.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[3.] He showed it to be the fulfilling of the scripture, and, because
|
|
the scripture had said that he must rise again before he saw
|
|
corruption, therefore <I>it was impossible that he should be holden</I>
|
|
by <I>death</I> and <I>the grave; for David speaks</I> of his being
|
|
raised, so it comes in,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
The scripture he refers to is that of David
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+16:8-11">Ps. xvi. 8-11</A>),
|
|
|
|
which, though in part applicable to David as a saint, yet refers
|
|
chiefly to Jesus Christ, of whom David was a type. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> The text quoted at large
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:25-28"><I>v.</I> 25-28</A>),
|
|
|
|
for it was all fulfilled in him, and shows us,
|
|
|
|
1. The constant regard that our Lord Jesus had to his Father in his
|
|
whole undertaking: <I>I foresaw the Lord before me continually.</I> He
|
|
set before him his Father's glory as his end in all--<I>for he saw</I>
|
|
that his sufferings would redound abundantly to the honour of God, and
|
|
would issue in his own joy; these were <I>set before him,</I> and these
|
|
he had an eye to, in all he did and suffered; and with the prospect of
|
|
these he was borne up and carried on,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+13:31,32,17:4,5">John xiii. 31, 32; xvii. 4, 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The assurance he had of his Father's presence and power going along
|
|
with him: "<I>He is on my right hand,</I> the hand of action,
|
|
strengthening, guiding, and upholding that, <I>that I should not be
|
|
moved,</I> nor driven off from my undertaking, notwithstanding the
|
|
hardships I must undergo." This was an article of the covenant of
|
|
redemption
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:21">Ps. lxxxix. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>With him my hand shall be established, my arm also shall strengthen
|
|
him;</I> and therefore he is confident the work shall not miscarry in
|
|
his hand. If God be at our right hand we shall not be moved.
|
|
|
|
3. The cheerfulness with which our Lord Jesus went on in his work,
|
|
notwithstanding the sorrows he was to pass through: "Being satisfied
|
|
<I>that I shall not be moved,</I> but the good pleasure of the Lord
|
|
shall prosper in my hand, therefore <I>doth my heart rejoice, and my
|
|
tongue is glad,</I> and the thought of my sorrow is as nothing to me."
|
|
Note, It was a constant pleasure to our Lord Jesus to look <I>to the
|
|
end of his work,</I> and to be sure that the issue would be glorious;
|
|
so well pleased is he with his undertaking that it does his heart good
|
|
to think how the issue would answer the design. <I>He rejoiced in
|
|
spirit,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+10:21">Luke x. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>My tongue was glad.</I> In the psalm it is, <I>My glory
|
|
rejoiceth;</I> which intimates that our tongue is our glory, the
|
|
faculty of speaking is an honour to us, and never more so than when it
|
|
is employed in praising God. Christ's <I>tongue was glad,</I> for when
|
|
he was just entering upon his sufferings, in the close of his last
|
|
supper, he <I>sang a hymn.</I>
|
|
|
|
4. The pleasing prospect he had of the happy issue of his death and
|
|
sufferings; it was this that carried him, not only with courage, but
|
|
with cheerfulness, through them; he was putting off the body, but <I>my
|
|
flesh shall rest;</I> the grave shall be to the body, while it lies
|
|
there, a bed of repose, and hope shall give it a sweet repose; <I>it
|
|
shall rest in hope,</I> <B><I>hoti,</I></B> <I>that thou wilt no leave
|
|
my soul in hell;</I> what follows is the matter of his hope, or
|
|
assurance rather,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That the soul shall not continue in a state of separation from the
|
|
body; for, besides that this is some uneasiness to a human soul made
|
|
for its body, it would be the continuance of death's triumph over him
|
|
who was in truth a conqueror over death: "<I>Thou wilt not leave my
|
|
soul in hell</I>" (in <I>hades,</I> in <I>the invisible state,</I> so
|
|
<I>hades</I> properly signifies); "but, though thou suffer it for a
|
|
time to remove thither, and to remain there, yet thou wilt remand it;
|
|
<I>thou wilt not leave it</I> there, as thou dost the souls of other
|
|
men."
|
|
|
|
(2.) That the body shall lie but a little while in the grave: <I>Thou
|
|
wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption;</I> the body shall not
|
|
continue dead so long as to begin to putrefy or become noisome; and
|
|
therefore it must return to life on or before the third day after its
|
|
death. Christ was God's <I>Holy One,</I> sanctified and set apart to
|
|
his service in the work of redemption; he must die, for he must be
|
|
<I>consecrated by his own blood;</I> but he must <I>not see
|
|
corruption,</I> for his death was to be unto God <I>of a sweet smelling
|
|
savour.</I> This was typified by the law concerning the sacrifice,
|
|
<I>that no part of the flesh of the sacrifice which was to be eaten
|
|
should be kept till the third day,</I> for fear it should see
|
|
corruption and begin to putrefy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+7:15-18">Lev. vii. 15-18</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That his death and sufferings should be, not to him only, but to
|
|
all his, an inlet to a blessed immortality: "<I>Thou has made known to
|
|
me the ways of life,</I> and by me made them known to the world, and
|
|
laid them open." When <I>the Father gave to the Son to have life in
|
|
himself, a power to lay down his life and to take it again,</I> then he
|
|
showed him <I>the way of life,</I> both to and fro; <I>the gates of
|
|
death were open to him and the doors of the shadow of death</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:17">Job xxxviii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
to pass and repass through them, as his occasion led him, for man's
|
|
redemption.
|
|
|
|
(4.) That all his sorrows and sufferings should end in perfect and
|
|
perpetual felicity: <I>Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
|
|
countenance.</I> The reward set before him was <I>joy,</I> a <I>fulness
|
|
of joy,</I> and that in God's <I>countenance,</I> in the countenance he
|
|
gave to his undertaking, and to all those, for his sake, that should
|
|
believe in him. The smiles with which the Father received him, when, at
|
|
his ascension, he was <I>brought to the Ancient of days,</I> filled him
|
|
<I>with joy unspeakable,</I> and that is <I>the joy of our Lord,</I>
|
|
into which all his shall enter, and in which they shall be for ever
|
|
happy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> The comment upon this text, especially so much of it
|
|
as relates to the resurrection of Christ. He addresses himself to them
|
|
with a title of respect, <I>Men and brethren,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
"You are men, and therefore should be ruled by reason; you are
|
|
brethren, and therefore should take kindly what is said to you by one
|
|
who, being nearly related to you, is heartily concerned for you, and
|
|
wishes you well. Now, give me leave <I>freely to speak to you
|
|
concerning the patriarch David,</I> and let it be no offence to you if
|
|
I tell you that David cannot be understood here as speaking of himself,
|
|
but of the Christ to come." David is here called a patriarch, because
|
|
he was the father of the royal family, and a man of great note and
|
|
eminency in his generation, and whose name and memory were justly very
|
|
precious. Now when we read that psalm of his, we must consider,
|
|
|
|
1. That he could not say <I>that of himself,</I> for <I>he died, and
|
|
was buried, and his sepulchre remained in Jerusalem till now,</I> when
|
|
Peter spoke this, and his bones and ashes in it. Nobody ever pretended
|
|
that he had risen, and therefore he could never say of himself that he
|
|
<I>should not see corruption;</I> for it was plain he did see
|
|
corruption. St. Paul urges this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:35-37"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 35-37</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though he <I>was a man after God's own heart, yet he went the way of
|
|
all the earth,</I> as he saith himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+2:2">1 Kings ii. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
both in death and burial.
|
|
|
|
2. Therefore certainly he spoke <I>it as a prophet,</I> with an eye to
|
|
the Messiah, whose sufferings the prophets testified beforehand, and
|
|
with them <I>the glory that should follow;</I> so did David in that
|
|
psalm, as Peter here plainly shows.
|
|
|
|
(1.) David knew that the Messiah should descend from his loins
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>that God had sworn to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according
|
|
to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.</I> He
|
|
promised him a Son, <I>the throne of whose kingdom should be
|
|
established for ever,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:12">2 Sam. vii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
And it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+132:11">Ps. cxxxii. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>God swore it in truth unto David.</I> When our Lord Jesus was born,
|
|
it was promised <I>that the Lord God would give him the throne of his
|
|
father David,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:32">Luke i. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
And all Israel knew that the Messiah was to be the Son of David, that
|
|
is, that, <I>according to the flesh,</I> he should be so by his human
|
|
nature; for otherwise, <I>according to the spirit,</I> and by his
|
|
divine nature, he was <I>to be David's Lord,</I> not his son. God
|
|
having sworn to David that the Messiah, promised to his fathers, should
|
|
be his son and successor, the fruit of his loins, and heir to his
|
|
throne, he kept this in view, in penning his psalms.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Christ being <I>the fruit of his loins,</I> and consequently in
|
|
his loins when he penned that psalm (as Levi is said to be in Abraham's
|
|
loins when he paid <I>tithes to Melchizedek</I>), if what he says, as
|
|
in his own person, be not applicable to himself (as it is plain that it
|
|
is not), we must conclude it points to that son of his that was then in
|
|
his loins, in whom his family and kingdom were to have their perfection
|
|
and perpetuity; and therefore, when he says that <I>his soul should not
|
|
be left in its separate state, nor his flesh see corruption,</I>
|
|
without doubt he must be understood to speak of the resurrection of
|
|
Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
And as <I>Christ died,</I> so <I>he rose again, according to the
|
|
scriptures;</I> and <I>that he did so we are witnesses.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) Here is a glance at his ascension too. As David did not rise from
|
|
the dead, so neither did he <I>ascend into the heavens,</I> bodily, as
|
|
Christ did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
And further, to prove that when he spoke of the resurrection he meant
|
|
it of Christ, he observes that when in another psalm he speaks of the
|
|
next step of his exaltation he plainly shows that he spoke of another
|
|
person, and such another as was his Lord
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:1">Ps. cx. 1</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>The Lord said unto my Lord,</I> when he had raised him from the
|
|
dead, <I>Sit thou at my right hand,</I> in the highest dignity and
|
|
dominion there; be thou entrusted with the administration of the
|
|
kingdom both of providence and grace; <I>sit there</I> as king,
|
|
<I>until I make thy foes</I> either thy friends or <I>thy
|
|
footstool,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ rose from the grave to rise higher, and therefore it must be of
|
|
his resurrection that David spoke, and not his own, in the
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+16:1-11">
|
|
16th Psalm</A>;
|
|
|
|
for there was no occasion for him to rise out of his grave who was not
|
|
to ascend to heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) The application of this discourse concerning the death,
|
|
resurrection, and ascension of Christ.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] This explains the meaning of the present wonderful effusion of the
|
|
Spirit in those extraordinary gifts. Some of the people had asked
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>What meaneth this?</I> I will tell you the meaning of it, says
|
|
Peter. <I>This Jesus being exalted to the right hand of God,</I> so
|
|
some read it, to sit there; <I>exalted by the right hand of God,</I> so
|
|
we read it, by his power and authority--it comes all to one; and
|
|
<I>having received of the Father,</I> to whom he has ascended, <I>the
|
|
promise of the Holy Ghost,</I> he hath given what he received
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:18">Ps. lxviii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>hath shed forth this which you now see and hear;</I> for the
|
|
Holy Ghost was to be given when Jesus was glorified, and not before,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:39">John vii. 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
You see and hear us speak with tongues that we never learned; probably
|
|
there was an observable change in the air of their countenances, which
|
|
they saw, as well as heard the change of their voice and language; now
|
|
this is from the Holy Ghost, whose coming is an evidence that Jesus is
|
|
exalted, and he has <I>received this gift from the Father,</I> to
|
|
confer it upon the church, which plainly bespeaks him to be the
|
|
Mediator, or middle person between God and the church. <I>The gift of
|
|
the Holy Ghost</I> was, <I>First,</I> A performance of divine promises
|
|
already made; here it is called <I>the promise of the Holy Ghost;</I>
|
|
many <I>exceedingly great and precious promises</I> the divine power
|
|
has given us, but this is <I>the promise,</I> by way of eminency, as
|
|
that of the Messiah had been, and this is the promise that includes all
|
|
the rest; hence God's giving <I>the Holy Spirit to those that ask
|
|
him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:13">Luke xi. 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
is his giving them all <I>good things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:11">Matt. vii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ received <I>the promise of the Holy Ghost,</I> that is, the
|
|
promised gift of the Holy Ghost, and has given it to us; for all <I>the
|
|
promises are yea and amen in him. Secondly,</I> It was a pledge of all
|
|
divine favours further intended; what you now see and hear is but an
|
|
earnest of greater things.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] This proves what you are all bound to believe, that Christ Jesus
|
|
is the true Messiah and Saviour of the world; this he closes his sermon
|
|
with, as <I>the conclusion of the whole matter,</I> the <I>quod erat
|
|
demonstrandum--the truth to be demonstrated</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly</I> that this
|
|
truth has now received its full confirmation, and we our full
|
|
commission to publish it, <I>That God has made that same Jesus whom you
|
|
have crucified both Lord and Christ.</I> They were charged to <I>tell
|
|
no man that he was Jesus the Christ</I> till after his resurrection
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:20,17:9">Matt. xvi. 20; xvii. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
but now it must be <I>proclaimed on the housetops, to all the house of
|
|
Israel; he that hath ears to hear, let him hear it.</I> It is not
|
|
proposed as probable, but deposed as certain: <I>Let them know it
|
|
assuredly,</I> and know that it is their duty to receive it as <I>a
|
|
faithful saying, First,</I> That God has glorified him <I>whom they
|
|
have crucified.</I> This aggravates their wickedness, that they
|
|
crucified one whom God designed to glorify, and put him to death as a
|
|
deceiver who had given such pregnant proofs of his divine mission; and
|
|
it magnifies the wisdom and power of God that though they crucified
|
|
him, and thought thereby to have put him under an indelible mark of
|
|
infamy, yet God had glorified him, and the indignities they had done
|
|
him served as a foil to his lustre. <I>Secondly,</I> That he has
|
|
glorified him to such a degree as to make him <I>both Lord and
|
|
Christ:</I> these signify the same; he is <I>Lord of all,</I> and he is
|
|
not a usurper, but is <I>Christ, anointed</I> to be so. He is <I>one
|
|
Lord to the Gentiles,</I> who had had lords many; and <I>to the Jews he
|
|
is Messiah,</I> which includes all his offices. He is <I>the king
|
|
Messiah,</I> as the Chaldee paraphrast calls him; or, as the angel to
|
|
Daniel, <I>Messiah the prince,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:25">Dan. ix. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is the great truth of the gospel which we are to believe, <I>that
|
|
that same Jesus,</I> the very same <I>that was crucified at
|
|
Jerusalem,</I> is he to whom we owe allegiance, and from whom we are to
|
|
expect protection, as <I>Lord and Christ.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_41"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Peter's Sermon at Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>37 Now when they heard <I>this,</I> they were pricked in their
|
|
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men
|
|
<I>and</I> brethren, what shall we do?
|
|
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
|
|
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
|
|
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
|
|
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to
|
|
all that are afar off, <I>even</I> as many as the Lord our God shall
|
|
call.
|
|
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying,
|
|
Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
|
|
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and
|
|
the same day there were added <I>unto them</I> about three thousand
|
|
souls.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have seen the wonderful effect of the pouring out of the Spirit, in
|
|
its influence upon the preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life,
|
|
never spoke at the rate that he had done now, with such fulness,
|
|
perspicuity, and power. We are now to see another blessed fruit of the
|
|
pouring out of the Spirit in its influence upon the hearers of the
|
|
gospel. From the first delivery of that divine message, it appeared
|
|
that there was a divine power going along with it, and <I>it was
|
|
mighty, through God,</I> to do wonders: thousands were immediately
|
|
brought by it to the <I>obedience of faith;</I> it was <I>the rod of
|
|
God's strength sent out of Zion,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:2,3">Ps. cx. 2, 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
We have here the first-fruits of that vast harvest of souls which by it
|
|
were gathered in to Jesus Christ. Come and see, in these verses, the
|
|
exalted Redeemer riding forth, in these chariots of salvation,
|
|
<I>conquering and to conquer,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+6:2">Rev. vi. 2</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we find the word of God the means of beginning and
|
|
carrying on a good work of grace in the hearts of many, <I>the Spirit
|
|
of the Lord working by it.</I> Let us see the method of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They were startled, and convinced, and put upon a serious enquiry,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>When they heard,</I> or <I>having heard,</I> having patiently heard
|
|
Peter out, and not given him the interruption they had been used to
|
|
give to Christ in his discourses (this was one good point gained, that
|
|
they were become attentive to the word), <I>they were pricked to the
|
|
heart,</I> or <I>in the heart,</I> and, under a deep concern and
|
|
perplexity, applied themselves to the preachers with this question,
|
|
<I>What shall we do?</I> It was very strange that such impressions
|
|
should be made upon such hard hearts all of a sudden. They were Jews,
|
|
bred up in the opinion of the sufficiency of their religion to save
|
|
them, had lately seen this Jesus crucified in weakness and disgrace,
|
|
and were told by their rulers that he was a deceiver. Peter had charged
|
|
them with having a hand, a <I>wicked hand,</I> in his death, which was
|
|
likely to have exasperated them against him; yet, when they heard this
|
|
plain scriptural sermon, they were much affected with it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It put them in pain: <I>They were pricked in their hearts.</I> We
|
|
read of those that were <I>cut to the heart</I> with indignation at the
|
|
preacher
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:54"><I>ch.</I> vii. 54</A>),
|
|
|
|
but these were <I>pricked to the heart</I> with indignation at
|
|
themselves for having been accessory to the death of Christ. Peter,
|
|
charging it upon them, awakened their consciences, touched them to the
|
|
quick, and the reflection they now made upon it was as <I>a sword in
|
|
their bones,</I> it pierced them as they had pierced Christ. Note,
|
|
Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be <I>pricked to the
|
|
heart</I> for sin, cannot but experience an inward uneasiness; this is
|
|
having the <I>heart rent</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joe+2:13">Joel ii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>a broken and contrite heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+51:17">Ps. li. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that are truly sorry for their sins, and ashamed of them, and
|
|
afraid of the consequences of them, are <I>pricked to the heart.</I> A
|
|
prick in the heart is mortal, and under those commotions (says Paul) I
|
|
died,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:9">Rom. vii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
"All my good opinion of myself and confidence in myself failed me."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It put them upon enquiry. <I>Our of the abundance of the heart,</I>
|
|
thus pricked, <I>the mouth spoke.</I> Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) To whom they thus addressed themselves: <I>To Peter and to the
|
|
rest of the apostles,</I> some to one and some to another; to them they
|
|
opened their case; by them they had been convinced, and therefore by
|
|
them they expect to be counselled and comforted. They do not appeal
|
|
from them to the scribes and Pharisees, to justify them against the
|
|
apostles' charge, but apply to them, as owning the charge, and
|
|
referring the case to them. They call them <I>men</I> and
|
|
<I>brethren,</I> as Peter had called them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
it is a style of friendship and love, rather than a title of honour:
|
|
"You are men, look upon us with humanity; you are brethren, look upon
|
|
us with brotherly love." Note, Ministers are spiritual physicians; they
|
|
should be advised with by those whose consciences are wounded; and it
|
|
is good for people to be free and familiar with those ministers, as men
|
|
and their brethren, who deal for their souls as for their own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What the address is: <I>What shall we do?</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] They speak as men at a stand, that did not know what to do; in a
|
|
perfect surprise: "<I>Is that Jesus</I> whom we have crucified both
|
|
<I>Lord and Christ?</I> Then what will become of us who crucified him?
|
|
We are all undone!" Note, No way of being happy but by seeing ourselves
|
|
miserable. When we find ourselves in danger of being lost for ever,
|
|
there is hope of our being made for ever, and not till then.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They speak as men at a point, that were resolved to do any thing
|
|
they should be directed to immediately; they are not for taking time to
|
|
consider, nor for adjourning the prosecution of their convictions to a
|
|
more convenient season, but desire now to be told what they must do to
|
|
escape the misery they were liable to. Note, Those that are convinced
|
|
of sin would gladly know the way to peace and pardon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:6,16:30"><I>ch.</I> ix. 6; xvi. 30</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Peter and the other apostles direct them in short what they must
|
|
do, and what in so doing they might expect,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:38,39"><I>v.</I> 38, 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
Sinners convinced must be encouraged; and that which is broken must be
|
|
bound up
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+34:16">Ezek. xxxiv. 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
they must be told that though their case is sad it is not desperate,
|
|
there is hope for them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He here shows them the course they must take.
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>Repent;</I> this is a plank after shipwreck. "Let the sense of
|
|
this horrid guilt which you have brought upon yourselves by putting
|
|
Christ to death awaken you to a penitent reflection upon all your other
|
|
sins (as the demand of some one great debt brings to light all the
|
|
debts of a poor bankrupt) and to bitter remorse and sorrow for them"
|
|
This was the same duty that John the Baptist and Christ had preached,
|
|
and now that the Spirit is poured out is it still insisted on:
|
|
"<I>Repent, repent;</I> change your mind, change your way; admit an
|
|
after-thought."
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ;</I>
|
|
that is, "firmly believe the doctrine of Christ, and submit to his
|
|
grace and government; and make an open solemn profession of this, and
|
|
come under an engagement to abide by it, by submitting to the ordinance
|
|
of baptism; be proselyted to Christ and to his holy religion, and
|
|
renounce your infidelity." They must be baptized <I>in the name of
|
|
Jesus Christ.</I> They did believe in the Father and the Holy Ghost
|
|
speaking by the prophets; but they must also believe in the name of
|
|
Jesus, that he is the Christ, the Messias promised to the fathers.
|
|
"Take Jesus for your king, and by baptism swear allegiance to him; take
|
|
him for your prophet, and hear him; take him for your priest, to make
|
|
atonement for you," which seems peculiarly intended here; for they must
|
|
be baptized <I>in his name</I> for the <I>remission of sins</I> upon
|
|
the score of his righteousness.
|
|
|
|
(3.) This is pressed upon each particular person: <I>Every one of
|
|
you.</I> "Even those of you that have been the greatest sinners, if
|
|
they repent and believe, are welcome to be baptized; and those who
|
|
think they have been the greatest saints have yet need to repent, and
|
|
believe, and be baptized. There is grace enough in Christ for every one
|
|
of you, be you ever so many, and grace suited to the case of every one.
|
|
Israel of old were baptized unto Moses in the camp, the whole body of
|
|
the Israelites together, when they passed <I>through the cloud</I> and
|
|
<I>the sea</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:1,2">1 Cor. x. 1, 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
for the covenant of peculiarity was national; but now <I>every one of
|
|
you</I> distinctly must be <I>baptized in the name of the Lord
|
|
Jesus,</I> and transact for himself in this great affair." See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:28">Col. i. 28</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He gives them encouragement to take this course:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) "It shall be for <I>the remission of sins.</I> Repent of your sin,
|
|
and it shall not be your ruin; be baptized into the faith of Christ,
|
|
and in truth you shall be justified, which you could never be by the
|
|
law of Moses. Aim at this, and depend upon Christ for it, and this you
|
|
shall have. As the cup in the Lord's supper is the New Testament in the
|
|
blood of Christ for the remission of sins, so baptism is in the name of
|
|
Christ for the remission of sins. Be washed, and you shall be washed."
|
|
|
|
(2.) "You shall <I>receive the gift of the Holy Ghost</I> as well as
|
|
we; for it is designed for a general blessing: some of you shall
|
|
receive these external gifts, and each of you, if you be sincere in
|
|
your faith and repentance, shall receive his internal graces and
|
|
comforts, shall be <I>sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.</I>"
|
|
Note, All that receive the remission of sins <I>receive the gift of the
|
|
Holy Ghost.</I> All that are justified are sanctified.
|
|
|
|
(3.) "Your children shall still have, as they have had, an interest in
|
|
the covenant, and a title to the external seal of it. Come over to
|
|
Christ, to receive those inestimable benefits; for the promise of the
|
|
remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, is <I>to you and to
|
|
your children,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was very express
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+44:3">Isa. xliv. 3</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed.</I> And
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:21">Isa. lix. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>My Spirit and my word shall not depart from thy seed, and thy seed's
|
|
seed.</I> When God took Abraham into covenant, he said, <I>I will be a
|
|
God to thee, and to thy seed</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:7">Gen. xvii. 7</A>);
|
|
|
|
and, accordingly, every Israelite had his son circumcised at eight days
|
|
old. Now it is proper for an Israelite, when he is by baptism to come
|
|
into a new dispensation of this covenant, to ask, "What must be done
|
|
with my children? Must they be thrown out, or taken in with me?" "Taken
|
|
in" (says Peter) "by all means; for the promise, that great promise of
|
|
God's being to you a God, is as much to you and to your children now as
|
|
ever it was."
|
|
|
|
(4.) "Though the promise is still extended to your children as it has
|
|
been, yet it is not, as it has been, confined to you and them, but the
|
|
benefit of it is <I>designed</I> for <I>all that are afar off;</I>" we
|
|
may add, <I>and their children,</I> for the blessing of Abraham comes
|
|
upon the Gentiles, through Jesus Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:14">Gal. iii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The promise had long pertained to the Israelites
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:4">Rom. ix. 4</A>);
|
|
|
|
but now it is sent to <I>those that are afar off,</I> the remotest
|
|
nations of the Gentiles, and <I>every one</I> of them too, <I>all that
|
|
are afar off.</I> To this general the following limitation must refer,
|
|
<I>even as many of them,</I> as many particular persons in each nation,
|
|
<I>as the Lord our God shall call</I> effectually into the fellowship
|
|
of Jesus Christ. Note, God can make his call to reach those that are
|
|
ever so far off, and none come but those whom he calls.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. These directions are followed with a needful caution
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>With many other words,</I> to the same purport, <I>did he
|
|
testify</I> gospel truths, and exhort to gospel duties; now that the
|
|
word began to work he followed it; he had said much in a little
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:38,39"><I>v.</I> 38, 39</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that which, one would think, included all, and yet he had more to
|
|
say. When we have heard those words which have done our souls good, we
|
|
cannot but wish to hear more, to hear many more such words. Among other
|
|
things he said (and it should seem inculcated it), <I>Save yourselves
|
|
from this untoward generation. Be you free</I> from them. The
|
|
unbelieving Jews were an untoward generation, perverse and obstinate;
|
|
they walked contrary to God and man
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:15">1 Thess. ii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
wedded to sin and marked for ruin. Now as to them,
|
|
|
|
1. "Give diligence to save yourselves from their ruin, that you may not
|
|
be involved in that, and may <I>escape all those things</I>" (as the
|
|
Christians did): "<I>Repent, and be baptized;</I> and then you shall
|
|
not be sharers in destruction with those with whom you have been
|
|
sharers in sin." <I>O gather not my soul with sinners.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. "In order to this continue not with them in their sin, persist not
|
|
with them in infidelity. <I>Save yourselves,</I> that is, separate
|
|
yourselves, distinguish yourselves, from this <I>untoward generation.
|
|
Be not rebellious like this rebellious house;</I> partake not with them
|
|
in their sins, that you share not with them in their plagues." Note, To
|
|
separate ourselves from wicked people is the only way to save ourselves
|
|
from them; though we hereby expose ourselves to their rage and enmity,
|
|
we really save ourselves from them; for, if we consider whither they
|
|
are hastening, we shall see it is better to have the trouble of
|
|
swimming against their stream than the danger of being carried down
|
|
their stream. Those that repent of their sins, and give up themselves
|
|
to Jesus Christ, must evidence their sincerity by breaking off all
|
|
intimate society with wicked people. <I>Depart from me, ye evil
|
|
doers,</I> is the language of one that determines to keep <I>the
|
|
commandments of his God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:115">Ps. cxix. 115</A>.
|
|
|
|
We must <I>save ourselves</I> from them, which denotes avoiding them
|
|
with dread and holy fear, as we would save ourselves from an enemy that
|
|
seeks to destroy us, or from a house infected with the plague.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Here is the happy success and issue of this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Spirit wrought with the word, and wrought wonders by it. These same
|
|
persons that had many of them been eye-witnesses of the death of
|
|
Christ, and the prodigies that attended it, and were not wrought upon
|
|
by them, were yet wrought upon by the preaching of the word, for it is
|
|
this that is the <I>power of God unto salvation.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. They received the word; and <I>then</I> only the word does us good,
|
|
when we do receive it, embrace it, and bid it welcome. They admitted
|
|
the conviction of it, and accepted the offers of it.
|
|
|
|
2. They gladly received it. Herod <I>heard</I> the word gladly, but
|
|
these gladly <I>received</I> it, were not only glad that they had it to
|
|
receive, but glad that by the grace of God they were enabled to receive
|
|
it, though it would be a humbling changing word to them, and would
|
|
expose them to the enmity of their countrymen.
|
|
|
|
3. They were baptized; believing with the heart, they made confession
|
|
with the mouth, and enrolled themselves among the disciples of Christ
|
|
by that sacred rite and ceremony which he had instituted. And though
|
|
Peter had said, "Be baptized in the name of <I>the Lord Jesus</I>"
|
|
(because the doctrine of Christ was the present truth), yet we have
|
|
reason to think that, in baptizing them, the whole form Christ
|
|
prescribed was used, <I>in the name of the Father, the Son, and the
|
|
Holy Ghost.</I> Note, Those that receive the Christian covenant ought
|
|
to receive the Christian baptism.
|
|
|
|
4. Hereby there were added to the disciples to the number of about
|
|
<I>three thousand souls that same day.</I> All those that had received
|
|
the Holy Ghost had their tongues at work to preach, and their hands at
|
|
work to baptize; for it was time to be busy, when such a harvest was to
|
|
be gathered in. The conversion of these three thousand with these words
|
|
was a <I>greater work</I> than the feeding of four or five thousand
|
|
with a few loaves. Now Israel began to multiply after the death of our
|
|
Joseph. They are said to be <I>three thousand souls</I> (which word is
|
|
generally used for persons when women and children are included with
|
|
men, as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+14:21">Gen. xiv. 21</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>margin, Give me the souls;</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+46:27">Gen. xlvi. 27</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>seventy souls</I>), which intimates that those that were here
|
|
baptized were not so many men, but so many heads of families as, with
|
|
their children and servants baptized, might make up <I>three thousand
|
|
souls.</I> These were <I>added to them.</I> Note, Those who are joined
|
|
to Christ are added to the disciples of Christ, and join with them.
|
|
When we take God for our God, we must take his people to be our
|
|
people.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac2_47"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Fellowship of the Disciples.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
|
|
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
|
|
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs
|
|
were done by the apostles.
|
|
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things
|
|
common;
|
|
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
|
|
<I>men,</I> as every man had need.
|
|
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
|
|
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
|
|
gladness and singleness of heart,
|
|
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the
|
|
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We often speak of the primitive church, and appeal to it, and to the
|
|
history of it; in these verses we have the history of the <I>truly
|
|
primitive church,</I> of the <I>first days</I> of it, its state of
|
|
infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest
|
|
<I>innocence.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in all instances of
|
|
piety and devotion, for Christianity, admitted in the power of it, will
|
|
dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has
|
|
appointed us to meet him and promised to meet us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They were diligent and constant inn their attendance upon the
|
|
<I>preaching of the word.</I> They <I>continued in the apostles'
|
|
doctrine,</I> and never disowned nor deserted it; or, as it may be
|
|
read, <I>they continued constant to the apostles' teaching</I> or
|
|
<I>instruction;</I> by <I>baptism</I> they were discipled to be taught,
|
|
and they were willing to be taught. Note, Those who have given up their
|
|
names to Christ must make conscience of hearing his word; for thereby
|
|
we give honour to him, and build up ourselves in our most holy
|
|
faith.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They kept up the <I>communion of saints.</I> They continued <I>in
|
|
fellowship</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>continued daily with one accord in the temple,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
They not only had a mutual affection to each other, but a great deal of
|
|
mutual conversation with each other; they were much together. When they
|
|
withdrew from <I>the untoward</I> generation, they did not turn
|
|
hermits, but were very intimate with one another, and took all
|
|
occasions to meet; wherever you saw one disciple, you would see more,
|
|
like <I>birds of a feather.</I> See how these Christians love one
|
|
another. They were concerned for one another, sympathized with one
|
|
another, and heartily espoused one another's interests. They had
|
|
fellowship with one another in religious worship. They met <I>in the
|
|
temple:</I> there was their rendezvous; for joint-fellowship with God
|
|
is the best fellowship we can have with one another,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:3">1 John i. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) They were daily in the temple, not only on the days of the
|
|
sabbaths and solemn feasts, but on other days, every day. Worshipping
|
|
God is to be our daily work, and, where there is opportunity, the
|
|
oftener it is done publicly the better. God loves the gates of Zion,
|
|
and so must we.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They were <I>with one accord;</I> not only no discord nor strife,
|
|
but a great deal of holy love among them; and they heartily joined in
|
|
their public services. Though they met with the Jews in the courts of
|
|
the temple, yet the Christians kept together by themselves, and were
|
|
unanimous in their separate devotions.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They frequently joined in the ordinance of the Lord's supper. They
|
|
continued <I>in the breaking of bread,</I> in celebrating that memorial
|
|
of their Master's death, as those that were not ashamed to own their
|
|
relation to, and their dependence upon, Christ and him crucified. They
|
|
could not forget the death of Christ, yet they kept up this memorial of
|
|
it, and made it their constant practice, because it was an institution
|
|
of Christ, to be transmitted to the succeeding ages of the church. They
|
|
broke bread <I>from house to house;</I> <B><I>kat
|
|
oikon</I></B>--<I>house by house;</I> they did not think fit to
|
|
celebrate the eucharist in the temple, for that was peculiar to the
|
|
Christian institutes, and therefore they administered that ordinance in
|
|
private houses, choosing such houses of the converted Christians as
|
|
were convenient, to which the neighbours resorted; and they went from
|
|
one to another of these little synagogues or domestic chapels, houses
|
|
that had churches in them, and there celebrated the eucharist with
|
|
those that usually met there to worship God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. They continued <I>in prayers. After</I> the Spirit was poured out,
|
|
as well as before, while they were waiting for him, they continued
|
|
instant in prayer; for prayer will never be superseded till it comes to
|
|
be swallowed up in everlasting praise. <I>Breaking of bread</I> comes
|
|
in between the <I>work</I> and <I>prayer,</I> for it has reference to
|
|
both, and is a help to both. The Lord's supper is a sermon to the eye,
|
|
and a confirmation of God's word to us; and it is an encouragement to
|
|
our prayers, and a solemn expression of the ascent of our souls to
|
|
God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. They abounded in thanksgiving; were continually <I>praising God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
|
|
|
|
This should have a part in every prayer, and not be crowded into a
|
|
corner. Those that have received the gift of the Holy Ghost will be
|
|
much in praise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. They were loving one to another, and very kind; their charity was
|
|
as eminent as their piety, and their joining together in holy
|
|
ordinances knit their hearts to each other, and very much endeared them
|
|
to one another.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They had frequent meetings for Christian converse
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All that believed were together;</I> not all those thousands in one
|
|
place (this was impracticable); but, as Dr. Lightfoot explains it, they
|
|
kept together in several companies or congregations, according as their
|
|
languages, nations, or other associations, brought them and kept them
|
|
together. And thus joining together, because it was apart from those
|
|
that believed not, and because it was in the same profession and
|
|
practice of the duties of religion, they are said to be together,
|
|
<B><I>epi to auto</I></B>. They associated together, and so both
|
|
expressed and increased their mutual love.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They had <I>all things common;</I> perhaps they had common tables
|
|
(as the Spartans of old), for familiarity, temperance and freedom of
|
|
conversation; they <I>ate together,</I> that those who had much might
|
|
have the less, and so be kept from the temptations of abundance; and
|
|
they who had little might have the more, and so be kept from the
|
|
temptations of want and poverty. Or, There was such a concern for one
|
|
another, and such a readiness to help one another as there was
|
|
occasion, that it might be said, They had <I>all things common,</I>
|
|
according to the law of friendship; one wanted not what another had;
|
|
for he might have it for the asking.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They were very cheerful, and very generous in the use of what they
|
|
had. Besides the religion that was in their sacred feasts (their
|
|
<I>breaking bread from house to house</I>) a great deal of it appeared
|
|
in their common meals; they did <I>eat their meat with gladness and
|
|
singleness of heart.</I> They brought the comforts of <I>God's
|
|
table</I> along with them to <I>their own,</I> which had two good
|
|
effects upon them:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) It made them very pleasant, and enlarged their hearts with holy
|
|
joy; they did eat their bread with joy, and <I>drank their wine with a
|
|
merry heart,</I> as knowing that <I>God now accepted their works.</I>
|
|
None have such cause to be cheerful as good Christians have; it is a
|
|
pity but that they should always have hearts to be so.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It made them very liberal to their poor brethren, and enlarged
|
|
their hearts in charity. They did <I>eat their meat with singleness of
|
|
heart,</I> <B><I>en apheloteti kardias</I></B>--<I>with liberality of
|
|
heart;</I> so some: they did not eat their morsels alone, but bade the
|
|
poor welcome to their table, not grudgingly, but with all the hearty
|
|
freedom imaginable. Note, It becomes Christians to be open-hearted and
|
|
open-handed, and in every good work to sow plentifully, as those on
|
|
whom God hath sown plentifully, and who hope to reap so.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. They raised a fund for charity
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>):
|
|
|
|
They <I>sold their possessions and goods;</I> some sold their lands and
|
|
houses, others their stocks and the furniture of their houses, and
|
|
<I>parted</I> the money to their brethren, <I>as every man had
|
|
need.</I> This was to destroy, not property (as Mr. Baxter says), but
|
|
selfishness. Herein, probably, they had an eye to the command which
|
|
Christ gave to the rich man, as a test of his sincerity, <I>Sell that
|
|
thou hast, and give to the poor.</I> Not that this was intended for an
|
|
example to be a constant binding rule, as if all Christians in all
|
|
places and ages were bound to sell their estates, and give away the
|
|
money in charity. For St. Paul's epistles, after this, often speak of
|
|
the distinction of rich and poor, and Christ hath said that <I>the poor
|
|
we always have with us,</I> and shall have, and the rich must be always
|
|
doing them good out of the rents, issues, and profits, of their
|
|
estates, which they disable themselves to do, if they sell them, and
|
|
give all away at once. But here the case was extraordinary
|
|
|
|
(1.) They were under no obligation of a divine command to do this, as
|
|
appears by what Peter said to Ananias
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+5:4"><I>ch.</I> v. 4</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Was it not in thine own power?</I> But it was a very commendable
|
|
instance of their raisedness above the world, their contempt of it,
|
|
their assurance of another world, their love to their brethren, their
|
|
compassion to the poor, and their great zeal for the encouraging of
|
|
Christianity, and the nursing of it in its infancy. The apostles left
|
|
all to follow Christ, and were to give themselves wholly to the word
|
|
and prayer, and something must be done for their maintenance; so that
|
|
this extraordinary liberality was like that of Israel in the wilderness
|
|
towards the building of the tabernacle, which needed to be restrained,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+36:5,6">Exod. xxxvi. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Our rule is, to give according as God has blessed us; yet, in such an
|
|
extraordinary case as this, those are to be praised who give <I>beyond
|
|
their power,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+8:3">2 Cor. viii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They were Jews that did this, and those who believed Christ must
|
|
believe that the Jewish nation would shortly be destroyed, and an end
|
|
put to the possession of estates and goods in it, and, in the belief of
|
|
this, they sold them for the present service of Christ and his
|
|
church.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. God owned them, and gave them signal tokens of his presence with
|
|
them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles</I> of divers
|
|
sorts, which confirmed their doctrine, and incontestably proved that it
|
|
was from God. Those that could work miracles could have maintained
|
|
themselves and the poor that were among them miraculously, as Christ
|
|
fed thousands with a little food; but it was as much for the glory of
|
|
God that it should be done by a miracle of grace (inclining people to
|
|
sell their estates, to do it) as if it had been done by a miracle in
|
|
nature.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
But the Lord's giving them power to work miracles was not all he did
|
|
for them; he <I>added to the church daily.</I> The word in their mouths
|
|
<I>did wonders,</I> and God blessed their endeavours for the increase
|
|
of the number of believers. Note, It is God's work to add souls to the
|
|
church; and it is a great comfort both to ministers and Christians to
|
|
see it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The people were influenced by it; those that were without, the
|
|
standers by, that were spectators.
|
|
|
|
1. They <I>feared them,</I> and had a veneration for them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Fear came upon every soul,</I> that is, upon very many who saw the
|
|
<I>wonders</I> and <I>signs</I> done by the apostles, and were afraid
|
|
lest their not being respected as they should be would bring desolation
|
|
upon their nation. The common people stood in awe of them, as Herod
|
|
feared John. Though they had nothing of external pomp to command
|
|
external respect, as the <I>scribes' long robes</I> gained them the
|
|
<I>greetings in the market-places,</I> yet they had abundance of
|
|
spiritual gifts that were truly honourable, which possessed men with an
|
|
inward reverence for them. Fear came upon <I>every soul;</I> the
|
|
<I>souls</I> of people were strangely influenced by their awful
|
|
preaching and living.
|
|
|
|
2. They <I>favoured them.</I> Though we have reason to think there were
|
|
those that despised them and hated them (we are sure the Pharisees and
|
|
chief priests did), yet far the greater part of the common people had a
|
|
kindness for them--they <I>had favour with all the people.</I> Christ
|
|
was so violently run upon and run down by a <I>packed mob,</I> which
|
|
cried, <I>Crucify him, crucify him,</I> that one would think his
|
|
doctrine and followers were never likely to have an interest in the
|
|
common people any more. And yet here we find them <I>in favour with
|
|
them all,</I> by which it appears that their prosecuting Christ was a
|
|
sort of force put upon them by the artifices of the priests; now they
|
|
returned to their wits, to their right mind. Note, Undissembled piety
|
|
and charity will command respect; and cheerfulness in serving God will
|
|
recommend religion to those that are without. Some read it, <I>They had
|
|
charity to all the people</I>--<B><I>charin echontes pros holon ton
|
|
laon</I></B>; they did not confine their charity to those of their own
|
|
community, but it was <I>catholic</I> and <I>extensive;</I> and this
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recommended them very much.
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3. They <I>fell over</I> to them. Some or other were daily coming in,
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though not so many as the first day; and they were such as <I>should be
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saved.</I> Note, Those that God has designed for eternal salvation
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shall one time or other be effectually brought to Christ: and those
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that are brought to Christ are <I>added to the church</I> in a holy
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covenant by baptism, and in holy communion by other ordinances.</P>
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