The last verses of the foregoing chapter acquainted us with the practice of the primitive Christians at the first plantation of the gospel, in selling their possessions for charitable uses, and laying down the money at the apostles' feet, for the relief of their fellow brethren and members in Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The justice of the punishment inflicted upon Ananias for his sin; he is struck dead upon the spot for his sacrilege, covetousness, hypocrisy and lying: Doubtless it was. very heinous sin which God so severely punished, and it was the first sin of this kind under the New Testament. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Three things are here observable: 1. How that act of severity upon Ananias and Sapphira for their hypocrisy, is instantly succeeded with acts of clemency and mercy upon others: The former acts of severity in the apostles were necessary to prevent the intrusion of hypocrites into the Christian churc... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. How the persecution of the holy apostles did gradually advance and increase. In the former Chapter s the apostles were only secured, kept in hold for. night and dismissed with. threatening next day; but now being filled. second time with the Holy Spirit, they are better enabled to grap... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. No sooner were the apostles out of prison, but they enter into the temple and preach, with. redoubled zeal and diligence; no doubt, Satan had better have let these holy men alone, than have cast them into prison; for the cold blasts of persecution and imprisonment beating upon their... [ Continue Reading ]
To the foregoing charge of obstinacy brought in against the apostles, St. Peter answers in the name, and as the mouth of the rest; owning that they had not obeyed them in their injunction, because they had commanded that which was contrary to the command of God. Where observe, How the apostles asse... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. general council erring, and that fundamentally in matters of faith. They determined peremptorily, That the doctrine and practice of the apostles was not from God; and accordingly resolved to suppress them, and that by death. Thence learn, That no determination of. council against.... [ Continue Reading ]