AND THE APOSTLES AND BRETHREN - The Christians who Were in Judea. HEARD ... - So extraordinary an occurrence as that at Caesarea, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, and their reception into the church, would excite attention, and be likely to produce much sensitiveness in regard to the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT WERE OF THE CIRCUMCISION - Christians who had been converted from among the Jews. CONTENDED WITH HIM - Disputed; reproved him; charged him with being in fault. This is one of the circumstances which show conclusively that the apostles and early Christians did not regard Peter as having an... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DIDST EAT WITH THEM - See the notes on Acts 10:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PETER REHEARSED - Greek: Peter beginning, explained it to them in order; that is, he began with the vision which he saw, and gave a narrative of the various events in order, as they actually occurred. A simple and unvarnished statement of facts is usually the best way of disarming prejudice and... [ Continue Reading ]
See Acts 10:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THY HOUSE - Thy family. This is a circumstance which his omitted in the account in Acts 10: It is said, however, in Acts 10:2, that Cornelius feared God with all his house. It is evident from Acts 10:48 that the family also received the ordinance of baptism, and was received into the church.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS I BEGAN TO SPEAK - Or, while I was speaking. THE HOLY GHOST ... - Acts 10:44.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF THE LORD - See the notes on Acts 1:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT WAS I - What power or right had I to oppose the manifest will of God that the Gentiles should be received into the Christian church. WITHSTAND GOD - Oppose or resist God. He had indicated his will; he had showed his intention to save the Gentiles; and the prejudices of Peter were all overcome.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HELD THEIR PEACE - They were convinced, as Peter had been, by the manifest indications of the will of God. THEN HATH GOD ... - The great truth in this manner established that the doors of the church are opened To the entire Gentile world - a truth that was worthy of this remarkable interpositio... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEY ... - This verse introduces a new train of historical remark; and from this point the course of the history of the Acts of the Apostles takes a new direction. Thus far, the history had recorded chiefly the preaching of the gospel to the Jews. From this point the history records the efforts... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE MEN OF CYPRUS AND CYRENE - Were natives of Cyprus and Cyrene. Cyrene was a province and city of Libya in Africa. It is at present called Cairoan, and is situated in the kingdom of Barca. In Cyprus the Greek language was spoken; and from the vicinity of Cyrene to Alexandria, it is probable that... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE HAND OF THE LORD - See the notes on Luke 1:66. Compare Psalms 80:17. The meaning is, that God showed them favor, and evinced his power in the conversion of their hearers.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN TIDINGS ... - The church at Jerusalem heard of this. It was natural that so remarkable an occurrence as the conversion of the Gentiles, and the extraordinary success of the gospel in a splendid and mighty city, should be reported at Jerusalem, and excite deep interest there. AND THEY SENT FORT... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD SEEN THE GRACE OF GOD - The favor, or mercy of God, in converting sinners to himself. WAS GLAD - Approved of what had been done in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and rejoiced that God had poured down his Spirit on them. The effect of a revival is to produce joy in the hearts of all those... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE WAS A GOOD MAN - This is given as a reason why he was so eminently successful. It is not said that he was a man of distinguished talents or learning; that he was a splendid or an imposing preacher; but simply that he was a man of an amiable, kind, and benevolent disposition - a pious, humble... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN DEPARTED ... - Why Barnabas sought Saul is not known. It is probable, however, that it was owing to the remarkable success which he had in Antioch. There was a great revival of religion, and there was need of additional labor. In such times the ministers of the gospel need additional help, as m... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT A WHOLE YEAR - Antioch was a city exceedingly important in its numbers, wealth, and influence. It was for this reason, probably, that they spent so long a time there, instead of traveling in other places. The attention of the apostles was early and chiefly directed to cities, as being places of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THESE DAYS - While Barnabas and Saul were at Antioch. CAME PROPHETS - The word “prophet” denotes properly “one who foretells future events.” See the notes on Matthew 7:15. It is sometimes used in the New Testament to denote simply “religious teachers, instructors sent from God, without partic... [ Continue Reading ]
NAMED AGABUS - This man is mentioned but in one other place in the New Testament. In Acts 21:10, he is referred to as having foretold that Paul would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. It is not expressly said that he was a Christian, but the connection seems to imply that he was. AND SIG... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE DISCIPLES - The Christians at Antioch. ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY - According as they had prospered. It does not imply that they were rich, but that they rendered such aid as they could afford. DETERMINED TO SEND RELIEF - This arose not merely from their general sense of obligation to aid th... [ Continue Reading ]
SENT IT TO THE ELDERS - Greek: to the presbyters. This is the first mention which we have in the New Testament of elders, or presbyters, in the Christian church. The word literally denotes “aged men,” but in the Jewish synagogue it was merely a name of office. It is clear, however, I think, that the... [ Continue Reading ]