Observe here, 1. The person whom the apostle makes his defence before: Agrippa, Agrippa. king of whom he begs the favour patiently to hear him. It is. great favour for great men so much as to hear an innocent, good man plead for himself; Agrippa, who, by reason of his birth and breeding among the Je... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle begins his defence, with. relation of the innocency and strictness of his life before his conversion: he did and could appeal to all that knew him, concerning the unblamableness of his conversion. Thence note, That an innocent and blameless life from our youth upwards, is. singular... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle had vindicated his life before, his doctrine now: he tells Agrippa, That for believing, expecting, and preaching the doctrine of the resurrection, he was questioned of the Jews; this he calls the HOPE OF THE PROMISE MADE BY GOD UNTO THE FATHERS. Others understand it of the promise of th... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "The great point in controversy between me and you is this, Whether the dead in general shall arise? and, Whether Christ in particular be risen from the dead? Now why should either seem incredible to you? Is it too hard for God, who made the world, and upholds the world,... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle frankly declares, That he was once as sharp and bitter an enemy to Christ, and to all that believed in him, as any one whatever; and thought himself bound in conscience to persecute all that owned him, and with threatenings and tortures compelled them to deny Christ; and being excee... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having declared his manner of life before conversion, proceeds next to declare the extraordinary manner of his conversion: He tells Agrippa, that as he went with. persecuting purpose towards Damascus, at mid-day,. light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shined, round about him... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Paul had given king Agrippa an account of his miraculous conversion in the former verses; in these he declares to him his extraordinary commission to preach the gospel; that Christ, who appeared to him from heaven, chose him to be. preacher as well as. professor of the gospel, assuring him that... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How obedient the apostle was to the call of Christ: having had so glorious. vision, he did not, he durst not, rebel against the light of it: but immediately went forth and preached, first at Damascus, then at Jerusalem, then throughout all Judea, and at last among the Gentiles, the... [ Continue Reading ]
Hitherto Festus had heard the apostle with great patience, but now he interrupts him, and tells him, he talks like. man that was crazed. Carnal minds pass very uncharitable censures upon spiritual persons and spiritual things. Christ's kindred said, HE WAS BESIDE HIMSELF, Mark 3:21. Festus here jud... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle, knowing that Agrippa was educated among the Jews, tells him that he could not but hear of the life, doctrine, miracles, death, and resurrection, of Christ; all which were done openly, and not in corners: and he could not but believe the prophets, and what they had foretold concerning th... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What an efficacy St. Paul's doctrine had upon Agrippa: though he would not be converted, yet he could not but be convinced; his conscience was touched, though his heart was not renewed. Learn hence, That there is certainly that in religion which carries its own evidence along with... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How Agrippa, Festus, and the whole company, acquit the innocent apostle in their judgments and consciences, yea, with their tongues declare, that he deserves neither death nor bonds; yet at the same time that they acquit him, they discharged him not, but he is left in his enemies' hand... [ Continue Reading ]