Chapter 2:
| 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 2
Concise Complete
The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost.
(1-4) The apostles speak in divers languages. (5-13) Peter's address to the
Jews. (14-36) Three thousand souls converted. (37-41) The piety and affection of
the disciples. (42-47)
Verses 1-4 We cannot
forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the
disciples which should be the greatest; but now all these strifes were at an
end. They had prayed more together of late. Would we have the Spirit poured out
upon us from on high, let us be all of one accord. And notwithstanding
differences of sentiments and interests, as there were among those disciples,
let us agree to love one another; for where brethren dwell together in unity,
there the Lord commands his blessing. A rushing mighty wind came with great
force. This was to signify the powerful influences and working of the Spirit of
God upon the minds of men, and thereby upon the world. Thus the convictions of
the Spirit make way for his comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind,
prepare the soul for its soft and gentle gales. There was an appearance of
something like flaming fire, lighting on every one of them, according to John
Baptist's saying concerning Christ; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and with fire. The Spirit, like fire, melts the heart, burns up the dross, and
kindles pious and devout affections in the soul; in which, as in the fire on the
altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. They were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, more than before. They were filled with the graces of the Spirit,
and more than ever under his sanctifying influences; more weaned from this
world, and better acquainted with the other. They were more filled with the
comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the love of Christ and the
hope of heaven: in it all their griefs and fears were swallowed up. They were
filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the
furtherance of the gospel. They spake, not from previous though or meditation,
but as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Verses 5-13 The
difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of
knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in
spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift,
which proved that their authority was from God.
Verses 14-21
Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and
thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now
boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit,
was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join
themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the fruit of
Christ's resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. Though Peter was filled
with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance,
yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ's scholars never learn
above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but
to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape
the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the
Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the
Judge of all mankind.
Verses 22-36 From
this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the
history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they
witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of
wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man
brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, according to an eternal
counsel, which could not be altered. And as the people's act; in them it was an
act of awful sin and folly. Christ's resurrection did away the reproach of his
death; Peter speaks largely upon this. Christ was God's Holy One, sanctified and
set apart to his service in the work of redemption. His death and sufferings
should be, not to him only, but to all his, the entrance to a blessed life for
evermore. This event had taken place as foretold, and the apostles were
witnesses. Nor did the resurrection rest upon this alone; Christ had poured upon
his disciples the miraculous gifts and Divine influences, of which they
witnessed the effects. Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made known; and
we are encouraged to expect God's presence, and his favour for evermore. All
this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed
Saviour.
Verses 37-41 From
the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine
power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But
neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such
effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are
opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but feel an inward
uneasiness. The apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins, and openly to
avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, by being baptized in his name. Thus
professing their faith in Him, they would receive remission of their sins, and
partake of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked
people, is the only way to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their
sins, and give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity by
breaking off from the wicked. We must save ourselves from them; which denotes
avoiding them with dread and holy fear. By God's grace three thousand persons
accepted the gospel invitation. There can be no doubt that the gift of the Holy
Ghost, which they all received, and from which no true believer has ever been
shut out, was that Spirit of adoption, that converting, guiding, sanctifying
grace, which is bestowed upon all the members of the family of our heavenly
Father. Repentance and remission of sins are still preached to the chief of
sinners, in the Redeemer's name; still the Holy Spirit seals the blessing on the
believer's heart; still the encouraging promises are to us and our children; and
still the blessings are offered to all that are afar off.
Verses 42-47 In
these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first
days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its
greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety
and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose
the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appointed us to
meet him, and has promised to meet us. The greatness of the event raised them
above the world, and the Holy Ghost filled them with such love, as made every
one to be to another as to himself, and so made all things common, not by
destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and causing charity. And God
who moved them to it, knew that they were quickly to be driven from their
possessions in Judea. The Lord, from day to day, inclined the hearts of more to
embrace the gospel; not merely professors, but such as were actually brought
into a state of acceptance with God, being made partakers of regenerating grace.
Those whom God has designed for eternal salvation, shall be effectually brought
to Christ, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of his glory.
Chapter 2:
| 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
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1 Kings
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1 Chronicles
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Esther
Job
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Daniel
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Acts
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1 Thessalonians
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1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
