Observe here, 1. How the apostles preaching to, and instructing the people, stirs up the devil's rage, and brings upon themselves. severe persecution: Well might Luther say, QUID EST EVANGELIUM PRADICARE, NISI IN NOS FUROREM DIABOLI DERIVARE? "At the preaching of the gospel gates of Satan's prison f... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. What. combined force did unite and join together of RULERS, SCRIBES, ELDERS, HIGH PRIESTS, HIGH PRIESTS KINDRED, and who not? They all, though of different interests, yet hold together as one, to extinguish and put out the light of the gospel, as soon as it began to shine forth. Nee... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. positive assertion, that there is no salvation but by Christ; or, that besides, or without him, there is no possibility of salvation, either for Jew of Gentile; both those under the Old Testament have, one and the same common Saviour. Observe, 2. The ground and reason of this confi... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How convincing the boldness of the apostles was, together with the undeniable evidence of the miracle wrought by them: When the council observed both, they marvelled, the apostles being unlearned men, yet now able to speak all languages, and the cripple born lame, now able to leap a... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here the prudence and integrity of the apostles in referring it back to the judgment of their very adversaries, whether it was reasonable to obey their command, when they charged them to preach no more in the name of the Lord Jesus. As if the apostles had said, "We have received. command fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. That notwithstanding this rational plea, which the apostles used, the council added further threatenings and so dismissed them, BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE, who looked upon the miracle with admiration, and glorified God for working it by the apostles' hands. Where note, That it was not t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The special and speedy answer which the Lord gave to the apostles' prayer: As. testimony thereof, the place where they prayed is miraculously shaken, and many eminent graces and special gifts of the holy Spirit were poured out upon the apostles, particularly. greater measure of bold... [ Continue Reading ]