As the Jewish church arose from twelve patriarchs, so did the Christian church become planted by twelve apostles; the person commissionating them, was Christ. None are to undertake the work and calling of the ministry, but those whom Christ appoints; and the persons commissioned were disciples befor... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, Of the twelve apostles Peter is named first, and Judas last. Peter is named first, because first called, Matthew 4:18 or because probably elder than the rest; or because, for order-sake, he might speak before the rest: from whence may be inferred. primacy, but no supremacy;. priority o... [ Continue Reading ]
This was only. temporary prohiition whilst Christ was here upon earth, the Jews being Christ's own people, of whom he came, and to whom he was promised; the gospel is first preached to them; but afterwards the apostles had. command to teach all nations; and after Christ ascension, Samaria received t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty enjoined the apostles in order to the bringing home of lost souls to Christ, and that is, preaching; AS YE go, preach. NOTE THENCE, THAT THE PLAIN AND PERSUASIVE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL, IS THE SPECIAL MEAN APPOINTED BY CHRIST FOR THE SALVATION OF LOST SINNERS. Observe, 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour empowers his apostles to work miracles for the confirmation of their doctrine; but gives them. charge to work them freely, without making any private advantage to themselves. Where observe, 1. How beneficial the miracles were (which Christ and his apostles wrought) to mankind. Mose... [ Continue Reading ]
This command of Christ was temporary, and extended only to the apostles' first journey, which they were soon to despatch: our Saviour encourages them to trust to God; first for protection; take no staves with you, that is, no striking or smiting staves for your own defence. Preachers must be no str... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour proceeds to direct his disciples how to manage this their first journey in preaching the gospel: he enjoins them, 1. To observe the rules of decency in their going from one place to another; not like beggars wandering from house to house, but having entered. city, or village, to make enq... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour, in this and the following verses, arms his apostles against all the difficulties, dangers, and discouragements, which they might meet with in the course of their ministry: he tells them, he sent them forth as sheep amongst wolves; intimating thereby unto them, that the enemies of the go... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour lets his apostles know that for their owning him, and preaching his gospel, they shall be brought before all sorts of magistrates, and in all kinds of courts: but he advises them, when they are brought before kings and princes, not to be anxiously thoughtful what they should say; fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour goes on in. farther discovery of the world's hatred and enmity against the gospel, and the preachers of it; and gives all Christians in general, and his ministers in particular, to understand, that such is the enmity of the world against holiness, and the professors of it, that it will o... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour here directs his apostles to. prudent care for their own preservation, and allows them to flee in time of persecution; assuring them, that before they had gone through all the cities of the Jews, preaching the gospel, he would certainly come in judgment against Jerusalem, and with severi... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour here teaches all Christians but especially ministers, how unreasonable and absurd it is for them to expect kinder usage from an unkind world than he himself met with. Are we greater, holier, or wiser then he? Why then should we expect better usage than he? Was he hated, persecuted, revil... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ here exhorts his disciples to. free profession and open publication of the doctrine of the gospel, from this consideration, that whatever they say or do shall be brought to light, proclaimed and published to the world.. will make the excellency of your doctrine and the innocency of your lives... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here the following particulars,1. An unwarrantable fear condemned; and that is, the sinful, servile, slavish fear of impotent man: FEAR NOT HIM THAT CAN KILL THE BODY. 2.. holy, awful, and prudential fear of the omnipotent God commended: FEAR HIM THAT IS ABLE TO KILL BOTH BODY AND SOUL. 3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The doctrine which our Saviour preaches to his disciples: and that is the doctrine of divine providence; which concerns itself for the meanest creatures: even the birds of the air, and the hairs of our head, do fall within the compass of God's protecting care. 2. Here is the use wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That not to confess Christ, in his account, is to deny him: and to deny him, is to be ashamed of him. 2. That whosoever shall deny, disown, or be ashamed of Christ, either in his person in his gospel, or in his members, for any fear of favour of man, shall with shame be disowned, a... [ Continue Reading ]
We must distinguish here betwixt the intentional aim of Christ's coming, and the accidental event of it. His intentional aim was to propagate and promote peace in the world; but through the corruption of man's nature, the accidental event of his coming is war and division: not that these are the gen... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, That by WORTHINESS we are not to understand the meritoriousness of the action, but the qualification of the person. He that cometh to Chtist, (that is, will be his disciple,) must, by. deliberate act of the understanding, and well-advised choice of the will, prefer him before all the worl... [ Continue Reading ]
Here in the close of the chapter, our blessed Saviour encourages his apostles to faithfulness in their office, by assuring them that he should reckon and esteem all the kindness shown to them as done unto himself: and to encourage the world to be kind to his disciples and ministers, he assures them... [ Continue Reading ]