Chapter 11:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Acts 11
Concise Complete
Peter's defence. (1-18) The success of the gospel at
Antioch. (19-24) The disciples named Christians, Relief sent to Judea. (25-30)
Verses 1-18 The
imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are
displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their
own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good
to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of
the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of
grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We
should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of
taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and
show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with
which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own
regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who
love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to
life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace
accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of
stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
Verses 19-24 The
first preachers of the gospel at Antioch, were dispersed from Jerusalem by
persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church, was made to work for its
good. The wrath of man is made to praise God. What should the ministers of
Christ preach, but Christ? Christ, and him crucified? Christ, and him glorified?
And their preaching was accompanied with the Divine power. The hand of the Lord
was with them, to bring that home to the hearts and consciences of men, which
they could but speak to the outward ear. They believed; they were convinced of
the truth of the gospel. They turned from a careless, carnal way of living, to
live a holy, heavenly, spiritual life. They turned from worshipping God in show
and ceremony, to worship him in the Spirit and in truth. They turned to the Lord
Jesus, and he became all in all with them. This was the work of conversion
wrought upon them, and it must be wrought upon every one of us. It was the fruit
of their faith; all who sincerely believe, will turn to the Lord, When the Lord
Jesus is preached in simplicity, and according to the Scriptures, he will give
success; and when sinners are thus brought to the Lord, really good men, who are
full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, will admire and rejoice in the grace of God
bestowed on them. Barnabas was full of faith; full of the grace of faith, and
full of the fruits of the faith that works by love.
Verses 25-30
Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners,
scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of
this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought,
embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief
care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that
multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But
the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare
profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will
give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love
one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel
for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the
praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully
would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family,
every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.
Chapter 11:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
