II: 1. Thus far our author has been engaged in preliminary statements, which were necessary to the proper introduction of his main theme. He has furnished us a list of the eleven apostles, and the appointment of the twelfth; rehearsed briefly their qualifications as witnesses of the resurrection; in... [ Continue Reading ]
II: 1. Thus far our author has been engaged in preliminary statements, which were necessary to the proper introduction of his main theme. He has furnished us a list of the eleven apostles, and the appointment of the twelfth; rehearsed briefly their qualifications as witnesses of the resurrection; in... [ Continue Reading ]
2. It was the apostles, then, and they alone, who were assembled together: (2) "_ And suddenly there came a sound out of heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. " What house this was has been variously conjectured; but the supposition of Olshausen, t... [ Continue Reading ]
3, 4. Simultaneous with the sound, (3) "_ There appeared to them tongues, distributed, as of fire, and it sat upon each one of them._ (4) _And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. " This is the immersion in the Holy Spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
5. The circumstances of the present occasion were happily suited to this wonderful display of divine power, the like of which had never been witnessed, even in the astonishing miracles of Moses and of Jesus. (5) "_ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, from every nation under heave... [ Continue Reading ]
6-12. "_ And when this sword occurred, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect. " The historian here seems to exhaust his vocabulary of terms to express the confusion of the multitude upon witnessing the scene. Not content with saying... [ Continue Reading ]
13. We have in this last sentence an instance of the peculiar use of the term _all_ in the New Testament, to signify a great mass; for after saying that "_ all_ were amazed," etc. Luke immediately adds, (13) "_ But others, mocking, said, These men are full of sweet wine. " The wine was not new,_ as... [ Continue Reading ]
14, 15. "_ Then Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, Men of Judea, and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and hearken to my words:_ (15) _for these men are not drunk as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. " After all that h... [ Continue Reading ]
16-18. Peter continues: (16) "_ But this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel;_ (17) _And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out from my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old... [ Continue Reading ]
19-21. So much of Peter's quotation from Joel as we have now considered was in process of fulfillment at the time he was speaking, and is of quite easy interpretation; but not so with the remaining portion: (19) "_ And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth below, blood, and fir... [ Continue Reading ]
22-24. It is impossible, at this distance of space and time, to realize, even in a faint degree, the effect upon the minds so wrought up and possessed of such facts, produced by the announcement next made by Peter. (22) "_ Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God amo... [ Continue Reading ]
25-28. There are two points in this announcement which required proof, and to the presentation of this Peter immediately proceeds. Having stated that Jesus was delivered according to the determined purpose of God, he now quotes that purpose as expressed by David in the 16th Psalm. (25) "_ For David... [ Continue Reading ]
29-31. Having exhibited, in the quotation from David, "the determined purpose, and foreknowledge of God," in reference to the resurrection of Jesus, the apostle, never overlooking the logical necessities of his argument, next considers the only objection which his hearers would likely to urge agains... [ Continue Reading ]
32, 33. Thus far in his argument, the speaker has proved that the Messiah must rise from the dead to ascend his throne; but he has yet to prove that _Jesus_ was thus raised, and was, therefore, the Messiah of whom David had spoken. He proves the resurrection by the testimony of himself and the eleve... [ Continue Reading ]
34, 35. One more point established, not so much in proof of the exaltation of Christ, as to show that it also was a subject of prophesy, and this inimitable argument will be complete. (34) "_ For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou at my r... [ Continue Reading ]
36. The progressive advances of his argument being now complete, those of them which needed proof being sustained by conclusive evidence, and the remainder consisting in facts well known to his audience, he announces his final conclusion in these bold and confident terms: (36) "_ Therefore, let all... [ Continue Reading ]
37. It has already been observed, that up to the moment in which Peter arose to address the audience, although the immersion in the Holy Spirit had occurred, and its effects had been fully witnessed by the people, no change had taken place in their minds in reference to Jesus Christ, neither did the... [ Continue Reading ]
38. This is the first time, under the reign of Jesus Christ, that this most important of all questions was ever propounded; and the first time, of course, that it was every answered. Whatever may have been the true answer under any previous dispensation, or on any previous day in the world's history... [ Continue Reading ]
39. Peter does not limit the promise of the Holy Spirit to his present audience; but adds, (39) "_ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. " That we are right in referring the word promise,_ in this sentence, to the p... [ Continue Reading ]
40. The historian had now concluded his report of Peter's discourse, but informs us that he has given only an epitome of it. (40) "_ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. " The term testify_ refers to the argumentative portion of... [ Continue Reading ]
41. The multitude, who had been so pierced to the heart by Peter's discourse, as to cry out, "Brethren, what shall we do?" were happily surprised to find the terms of pardon so easy. (41) "_ Then they gladly received his word, and were immersed; and the same day there were added about three thousand... [ Continue Reading ]
42. Having been immersed simply upon their faith in Jesus Christ, these young disciples had many subordinate objects of faith to become acquainted with, and many duties yet unknown, in which to be instructed. In giving an account of these matters, Luke is far more brief, adhering strictly to the chi... [ Continue Reading ]
43. Next to this brief notice of the exercises of the Church, we have a glance at the effect of the scenes just described, upon the surrounding community. (43) "_ And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. " This fear was not that which partakes of aversion,... [ Continue Reading ]
44, 45. We are next introduced to a striking instance of the fellowship previously mentioned. (44) "_ Now all who believed were together, and had all things common,_ (45) _and sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, as any one had need. " This was not a community of goods, by... [ Continue Reading ]
46, 47. The further history of the Church, for a short time, is condensed into this brief statement: (46) "_ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, received their food with gladness and singleness of heart,_ (47) _praising God, and having fa... [ Continue Reading ]