Chap. X. implies diligence, and delight, and perse- thou art come. He doth not only approve || and the phrase of working righteousness tion of others, as well as of himself; We 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. As if the apostle had said, "I now very plainly perceive that the partition-wall is broken down, and that national prerogatives, or personal excellences, find no acceptance with God; but that any man, be he of what nation or family soever, if he feareth God; and worketh righteousness, shall find acceptance with him." Observe here, 1. That no external qualifications, personal privileges, and prerogatives, will procure favour and acceptance, with God. who neither receives nor rejects men barely for outward respects, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Observe, 2. The true character of a religious man: he is one that feareth God and worketh righteousness; that is, a strict observer of the duties of both tables, of piety towards God, and of justice and charity towards man; 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ; (he is Lord of all ;) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. 40 Him God raised up the third day, and she wed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of. quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Observe here, 1. The antiquity of the gospel, or of the doctrine of reconciliation, by Jesus Christ: it was preached to the patriarchs, and by the prophets to the ancient Israelites: The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ. Thence learn, That there is but one way to salvation, namely, reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ: and this was declared to the children of Israel, as well as unto us: to them more darkly, to us more clearly. They went to heaven then the same way that believers do now, namely, by faith in the Lamb of God, who was to be slain; we by faith in him as already slain. Observe, 2. The dignifying title given to || quick and dead; that is, of all that are Christ: He is Lord of all. 1. He is Lord in their graves, and of all that shall be of all, as God together with the Father found alive at his coming. and the Holy Ghost; the absolute and supreme Lord of all the whole creation, 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many and unto whom all creatures are subject. 2. He is Lord of all as Mediator, Lord of all men, whether Jews or Gentiles; he is Lord of his church, Lord over saints and sinners. Hypocrites and sincere Chris-as came with Peter, because that on tians, all are his subjects by obligation, the Gentiles also was poured out the some by voluntary consent, and by an absolute obedience unto his commands. Ob- gift of the Holy Ghost: 46 For they serve, 3. The argument by which the apos- heard them speak with tongues, and tle proveth Christ to be Lord of all, as Me- magnify God. Then answered Peter, diator; namely, from his divine unction, 47 Can any man forbid water, that ver. 38. How God anointed Jesus of Naza- these should not be baptized, which reth with the Holy Ghost: and with power: that is, endued the human nature of Christ have received the Holy Ghost as well with the fulness of the graces of his Holy as we? 48 And he commanded them Spirit, and consecrated him to the work to be baptized in the name of the Lord. and office of a Mediator. Observe, 4. Then prayed they him to tarry certain How Christ faithfully executed this office days. which he was anointed to: he went about doing good all the time he was on earth, healing diseases, and casting out devils; for God was with him, in the fulness of his Deity, as he was his eternal Son; and in power, grace, and favour, as he was Man and Mediator. Here note, 1. The great work and business of our Saviour's life; it was to do good, namely, to the souls and bodies of men, to promote the temporal happiness of the one, the spiritual and eternal happiness of the other. Note, 2. Our Saviour's diligence an indefatigable industry in this work of doing good; he made it the great business and constant employment of his life: He went about doing good; that is, seeking out all opportunities of being useful and beneficial to mankind. Observe, 3. The evidence and testimony which the apostle produces for all that he affirmed concerning Christ: We are witnesses of all things which he did in the land of Judea, and in Jerusalem. Christ took the twelve apostles as it were into his family, that by their familiar converse, and constant conversation with him, they might be enabled to testify of him:1. Touching his death, that he was slain, and hanged on a tree; dying an ignominious and shameful, as well as a dolorous and painful, death. 2. Concerning his resurrection, that God raised him from the dead: though he was laid, he was not lost, in the dust. God would not suffer the beloved of his soul to rot in the grave, but raised him up, and showed him openly. And, 3. As to the final judgment, the apostles were commanded to preach and testify to the people, that Jesus Christ was ordained of God to be the judge both of Observe here, 1. What a miraculous power of the Holy Ghost did accompany St. Peter's ministry at this time, thereby giving him an assurance of the future conversion of the Gentiles, to the great wonder and astonishment of the Jews, who thought the promise of sending down the Holy Ghost belonged only to the house of Israel. Accordingly, while Peter was thus preaching to Cornelius and his friends, the Holy Ghost by his wonderful gift of tongues descended on them, though Gentiles; at which the Jews marvelled. Observe, 2. The conclusion which the apostle draws from this: forasmuch as the Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Ghost, he infers that they ought to be baptized with water: and the argument runs thus; "They that have the grace signified by, and promised in baptism, have an undoubted right to baptism, the seal of the promise: but these Gentiles have the grace signified by, and promised in baptism; they have the inward part or thing signified; why then should the outward sign be denied them? He that has the inheritance, may claim the writings, &c. the seals, belonging to the inheritance." Observe, 3. The apostle without scruple baptized these Gentile converts: Then commanded he them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus; that is, he either baptized them himself, or gave commandment to others to do it; and though only the name of the Lord Jesus be mentioned, yet this does not imply but that they were baptized according to our Saviour's prescription, Matt. xxviii. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This done, they desire him to stay some days with them, that they might be farther instructed, confirmed, and comforted by his ministry. CHAP. XI. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times and all were drawn up again into heaven. This chapter gives us an account, how the promise of 11 And, behold, immediately, there the Jews and Gentiles becoming one flock, and enfolded in one church, received its accomplishment; this was performed by the ministry of St. Peter, who was the first that opened the door of faith to the Gentiles; of which he gives a satisfactory account in this chapter, to the objections made by the Jews against him for the same. A ND the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 Saying, thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea unto me. 12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. Observe here, 1. How the Jews, appre- 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy hending that Christ and his grace had Ghost fell on them, as on us at the bebeen only promised and confined to them- ginning. 16 Then remembered I the selves, the call and conversion of the Gen-word of the Lord, how that he said, tiles became a dreadful stumbling-block unto them, even to the believing as well as the unbelieving Jews. Hereupon observe, 2. How they contended with Peter for eating and conversing with the Gentiles, and especially for admitting them into gospel communion without circum cision. Whereas although God forbade marriages with the Gentiles, he never forbade commerce and conversation with them. No conversation with the Gentiles, in order to the gaining of the Gentiles unto God, was ever forbidden by God; but only such as might withdraw the Jews from God, and corrupt them by idolatry. 4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa, praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay, 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. and eat. John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Observe here, 1. How far St. Peter was from pretending to a superiority over the rest of the apostles: he did by no means think himself so far above them, as to dis dain to render an account of his actions to them, but with great sincerity and humi lity rehearsed and related the whole matter of fact, to their entire and joint satisfaction. Observe, 2. How he acquaints the apostles with the vision he had seen, in which he was commanded to make no distinction of clean and unclean; because there was no natural turpitude in any kind of meat, save only as it was prohibited by God; and that God, who having made the law about difference of meats, had now abrogated it, and made all meats clean, and free to be eaten. Observe, 3. How he gives them the interpretation of this vision, and acquaints them with the end for which this vision was designed; namely, not so much to reveal to him the lawfulness of eating all sorts of meats, as to acquaint[] faith: and much people was added him with his liberty and duty to converse unto the Lord. with and preach the gospel to the Gentiles; whom he was no longer to look upon as unclean, though they were not, circumcised; but as heirs and fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Observe lastly, The conclusion which St. Peter drew from the premises: "Seeing God hath made the Gentiles equa! in grace with the believing Jews; seeing the Holy Ghost came down upon them in the same manner, and with the same effects, as he did upon us apostles; I could not reasonably deny them baptism, and by baptism admission into the gospelchurch for having the grace signified by baptism, they ought to have baptism, the seal of that grace; they that have the inward, are not to be denied the outward baptism; they that were baptized with the Holy Ghost (as Cornelius and his family were) might and ought to be baptized with water, as Cornelius was; for had I denied them church-communion for want of the ceremony of circumcision, it had certainly been a downright resistance of, and disobedience against, God."|| Thence learn, That it is a downright opposition to the will of God, to shut them out of the church, and to debar them from the communion of it, who have received the sanctifying graces of God's Holy Spirit, but differ from us in external rites and ceremonies only. Observe here, 1. That Antioch becomes the Jerusalem of the Gentile Christians; that is, the chief place whither the Gentile converts resorted; as Jerusalem, before the dispersion by persecution, was resorted to by the Jews, and made the principal seat of their residence. Observe, 2. How God overruled the persecution and disper sion occasioned by St. Stephen's death, for disseminating and scattering the gospel as far as Antioch, verse 19. They which were scattered abroad upon the perse cution that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Antioch, preaching the word. Thus has the blood of the martyrs all along been the seed of the church; and what the devil and his instruments have designed for the extirpation, God has constantly overruled for the propagation of the gospel. Observe, 3. The great success which the ministers and ministry of the gospel had at Antioch: The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed. By the hand of the Lord, is meant the power and assistance of the Lord, which did accompany them in dispensing of his word, and enabled them to work miracles for the confirmation of it. The hand is the organ or instrument of working in man: when it is attributed to God, it denotes his power and help; the hand of God was manifested in the miracles which they wrought, and in faith 19 Now they which were scattered and conversion, which the sight of those abroad upon the persecution that arose miracles produced. Learn hence, That about Stephen, travelled as far as faith and conversion are wrought by the hand of the Lord; they are his work; Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, study and endeavour is the minister's, the preaching the word to none but unto blessing and success is God's; when he the Jews only. 20 And some of them takes the sword of the Spirit into the were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, hand of the Spirit, then shall it work wonwhich, when they were come to An- ders. Observe, 4. How the joyful tidings tioch, spake unto the Grecians, preach- of the success of the gospel at Antioch, ing the Lord Jesus. 21 And the handles that remained at Jerusalem, they send being heard and understood by the apos of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of Barnabas to confirm the new converts at Antioch in the Christian faith. Learn thence, That the news of any sinner's, much more of many sinners', conversion unto God, by the preaching of the gospel, the ministers of Christ. Observe, 5. The is matter of great delight and rejoicing to holy and honourable character which the Spirit of God gives of Barnabas; He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith; and much people were added unte the Lord. By a good man, is meant à kind and charitable man; he having ac tually sold his estate, and laid it at the apostles' feet, for the benefit of the poor, as Acts v. 36, 37, informs us; and his good lastly, That the disciples did not call works accompanying his good preaching, themselves Christians first at Antioch, his good life seconding his sound doctrine, much less did their enemies give them was a great mean of the conversion of so that name; but they had it by divine many, and that much people were added authority imposed upon them. God would to the Lord. Observe lastly, The Holy have Christ's disciples called Christians : exhortation which Barnabas gave these 1. As scholars, who receive their denominew converts at Antioch: He exhorted nation from their master; they are taught them, that with purpose of heart they to learn of and imitate Christ, whose would cleave unto the Lord; that is, with a name they bear. 2. As the word Chrisfirm and fixed resolution of will to keep tians signifies anointed ones, it puts close to the profession of the truth of them in mind of their divine unction, Christ, whatever tribulation or distress || which they have received from the Holy they might meet with. Young converts One, whereby they are made kings and need exhortation and counsel, to establish priests unto God. We are at this day and confirm them in the faith of the gos- called Reformed Christians. God grant pel, and to encourage them to hold fast to that we may not cheat ourselves with an Christ. empty and insignificant name; but let us fill up that glorious title, and be reformed in our lives, as well as in our religion, holy and becoming conversation; otherbeautifying our holy profession by an wise an unbaptized Heathen, at the great day, will not change estate with many baptized Christians. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Observe here, A further instance of the piety of that good man. Barnabas having a great zeal and fervent desire that the gospel might be more and more propagated, he went to Tarsus to seek out Saul, that they might join together in the work of Christ: and having found him, he brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they instructed the church in that city, and taught much people. how happy is it for the church of Christ, when her ministers, laying aside all private interest, do unitedly apply themselves to promote the common interest of Christianity, by propagating the gospel far and near! Observe farther, How the believers, both Jews and Gentiles, were united in one common name at Antioch; the Jews had hitherto called them Nazarites and Galileans, and they called themselves disciples, believers, brethren, and those of the church; but now in this place, Antioch, they were first called Christians; a very great honour conferred upon this Gentile city, which exalted her now above Jerusalem itself. At Antioch, a Gentile city, Christ set up his standard for the Gentiles, and displayed his banner, and puts his own name upon the despised Gentiles. They who before were counted dogs, and the off-scouring of all things, have now the venerable name of Christ imposed upon them: The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Note 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them, named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Observe here, 1. That the wisdom of God at the first planting of the Christian church, did confer upon some of its members extraordinary gifts; as the gift of tongues, the gift of miracles, the gift of prophecy, and the like. Accordingly, at this time, certain persons who had the gift of prophecy, and did foretell things to come, being now at Antioch, by revelation from the Spirit of God, foretold that there would shortly be a great famine over all Judea, and several other parts of the world; which exactly came to pass in the reign of the emperor Claudius. Where note, That as it is God's prerogative to foreknow future things, so it is his prerogative to enable others to foretell future things. This famine was here foretold, not by judicial astrology, but by divine revelation: that God, who provided for the patriarchs, by means of Joseph's foreseeing the famine in Egypt, provided now |